Read Online Smuggler's Lady by Jane Feather - Free Book Online

rhetorical question since, before she could reply, she found herself unable to do so. His mouth came down on hers, the pressure bending her head back, holding her immobile against the tree, the grip on her wrists tightening as she fought back in a wash of panic. Meredith thought she would suffocate under the bruising punishment of a kiss that pressed her lips against her teeth, her body against his length so close she could feel the rapid thud of his heart against her breast, the power of his thighs forcing her to be still. Then abruptly the pressure ceased although he continued to hold her. The lips on hers softened, the hand at her throat stroked gently before moving downward, gliding over the swell of her breasts beneath the stiff material of her gown. Merrie felt herself tremble deep within her at some core she had not known she possessed. She trembled, not with anger or fear this time, but with some sensation previously unknown to her. His tongue ran over her lips gently, then more insistently, demanding entrance. The hand at her bosom traced the outline of her breasts, circled their tips with knowing urgency until her nipples peaked hard and her lips parted to receive the exploration of a muscular tongue.
    After what seemed an eternity of sensation, Rutherford straightened slowly, raising his head to look down at the stunned, heart-shaped face below. The sloe eyes were bemused, the full lips kiss-reddened, the ivory complexion tinged with pink. What had started out as retribution had taken a most definite turn in the reverse direction, he reflected, absentmindedly running a finger over the bridge of her freckled nose. “I think that perhaps you had better make a habit of slapping me,” he said with a smile. “I found the consequences most pleasant.”
    â€œ I did not,” Merrie denied in a stifled voice, turning her head away.
    â€œLiar,” he accused, gently and without rancor. “But I’ll not prove it to you again tonight, much as I would like to. Let us go.” Taking her elbow, he turned her toward Saracen. “Do you prefer to ride pillion or before me?”
    Meredith swallowed. “I prefer to walk—alone!”
    â€œI should find it easier to have you before me,” Lord Rutherford continued as if she had not spoken. “Up with you.” Catching her by the waist, he lifted her onto the saddle with the firm injunction to hold the pommel. The black stood at least twenty hands, Merrie thought, looking down at the distant ground, wondering if she dared leap from her perch. “If you do, I shall simply put you back again,” her companion said, reading her thoughts with infuriating accuracy. He then swung up behind, reaching around her for the reins, asking with formal solicitude, “Are you quite comfortable, Lady Blake?”
    Meredith, who did not think she had ever been less comfortable in her life, did not deign to reply. Chuckling, Damian nudged Saracen’s flanks and the horse moved forward, clearly unperturbed by his double burden.
    Meredith found an arm at her waist. While common sense told her that it was necessary for her safety, all the sweet reason in the world could not slow her heartbeat or dissolve the goose bumps prickling her back at the inevitable close contact with Lord Rutherford’s broad chest.
    Her companion coughed apologetically. “Could you furnish me with directions, Lady Blake? I am not familiar with the neighborhood, I am afraid.”
    With a supreme effort, Merrie pulled herself together. “It would be both quicker and less conspicuous, sir, if we were to leave the road and travel as the crow flies. I do not care to be discovered in this enforced and compromising position.”
    â€œOh, but surely no one in this county would think anything of it,” he said blandly. “Now, if it were London ... But you were kind enough to advise me that rules of propriety in the wilds of Cornwall are considerably less