Read Online Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss - Free Book Online Page B

she dared much with her open disdain. Casually Ruark laughed and stood back, releasing her, and bemused, Shanna glanced up. He raised his hand and called across the empty pews.
    â€œGood sir—”
    Seated at a low desk writing the marriage documents, the Reverend Jacobs paused and looked up expectantly. Pitney glanced around, his brows lifted.
    â€œA moment please, sir,” Ruark bade. “Twould seem my lady—”
    Shanna gasped and quickly interrupted. “No need to bother him, my love. Come, let us discuss it further.”
    As the clergyman went back to his writing, Shanna reached up to snatch Ruark’s arm down, clasping it firmlyagainst her bosom. Her eyes dared him to refuse her as she jerked hard at his elbow.
    â€œYou are a cad,” she said through sweetly curving lips.
    The amber flame in his gaze kindled brighter, burning her with its intensity. The muscles in his arm tightened against her breast as he leaned to kiss her cheek, and then his warm mouth hovered much too near hers.
    â€œTsk, tsk, Shanna. Be kind. My days are few and those with joy even less. Let us at least appear to be lovers, if only for the sake of Mrs. Jacobs. Try to summon more warmth, my dear.”
    Shanna steeled herself against any outward show of withdrawing while his mouth softly tested hers, playing lightly, teasing, but the stiffness of her body was like that of one waiting for doom.
    â€œYou must learn to relax,” Ruark admonished, his breath falling softly upon her lips.
    His arm slipped about her waist as he straightened, drawing her possesively against his side, and reluctant though she was to have it there, Shanna accepted his at-tentiveness as he escorted her to the vestry.
    While the minister laboriously completed the documents and entered the event in the record book, Mrs. Jacobs went to fetch refreshments. As they waited, Pitney’ frowning perusal centered upon the colonial, who he felt displayed a more zealous regard for his bride than necessary. An arm resting lightly on her shoulder, a featherlike caress along her ribs, a single stroke of her arm where it was bare; the long, lean fingers made their claim on her. Pitney could well imagine the trap his young mistress found herself in to stand for this unwelcome pawing.
    Pitney’s scowl darkened, and, when he caught Ruark’s eye, he beckoned the man to him. “We’d best make haste. The storm is building, and we might be caught here.”
    Ruark paused to listen to the sound of the wind blowing about the corner of the church. It rose forlornly and whistled eerily at a higher pitch. Raindrops splattered against the windows and then ran down them in streams. Candles had been lit to illuminate the gray shroud of the storm.
    Ruark studied the other man carefully as he replied. “Aye, I’ll tell your mistress.”
    The square jaw tightened. “Keep yer hands from her, lad. She’s not for the likes of ye.”
    â€œYou are a loyal servant, Pitney,” Ruark returned with measured words. “Perhaps too loyal. I am her husband now.”
    â€œIn name only,” the large man retorted. “And that fact will remain true ’til ye’ve seen yer end.”
    â€œEven if you must show me that end before my time?” Ruark queried.
    â€œI’ve warned ye, lad. Leave her be. She’s a good lass and not the sort ye might find in an inn giving a man comforts.”
    Ruark folded his hands behind his back and looked Pitney squarely in the eye. He spoke with much conviction. “That is my wife, whatever else you may think. Now, I am not a man to start a quarrel with another in such a place as this, but I’ll leave you this word of advice. If you intend to stop me from giving Shanna my attention, you’d best draw your pistol now and be done with it. I have naught to lose, and she’s worth whatever fight you’d give me.”
    With that, Ruark turned on his heels and strode to