Read Online Tarnished Angel by Elaine Barbieri - Free Book Online
Authors: Elaine Barbieri
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time so he might achieve full satisfaction from the woman's discomfort. "I think I should like to go upstairs."
China Mary was no longer smiling. "Perhaps a visit to the very comfortable dwelling next door. Mei Ling and Gin Lon would be honored by your presence."
"I have no use for professional prostitutes, most especially of your race. No, I choose to wander in a more chaste garden. I should like to bask in the beauty of a graceful lily."
"The one whom you seek is not available in this day."
"Make her available."
"She has gone on a personal errand; I know not where."
"You know everything that goes on in Tombstone, Mary. Get her back here. Now."
Her eyes holding his in open challenge for the briefest second, Mary gave a short nod.
"That's better." Turning toward the narrow staircase that beckoned him, Harvey took only two steps, then turned to garner Mary's gaze once more. "I do not expect to be kept waiting for longer than five minutes, Mary. I need not remind you that you will do well not to disappoint me."
Waiting only a moment longer for her nod of acquiescence, Harvey was soon ascending the narrow staircase.
His face covered with a sheen of perspiration, Ross glanced up toward the unrelenting sun and muttered a curse under his breath. He adjusted his position as he lay on his stomach on the hard packed ground, sending a quick glance around him to again curse the rolling landscape, which was entirely devoid of trees. Where was the breeze that could usually be counted upon to adequately cool a man before he expired from the heat? This morning, of all mornings, the air was perfectly still.
Ross trained his spyglass on the Dale house in the distance. Having arrived a short time before, he had tethered his horse on the far side of the hill, climbed to the top of the rise, found a position suitable for silent observation, and made himself as comfortable as possible. He had known he was in for a long siege, but he had not realized how very uncomfortable it would be.
Damn, he had not figured the haughty Miss Dale to be a recluse. He had expected that she would be moving about town by now. His annoyance flared, and Ross reminded himself that this was but the first day of a surveillance he expected would be of considerable duration. When Miss Dale's routine was established and he had decided which time of day she would be most vulnerable, he would take action.
Continuing his perusal of the impressive Dale residence, Ross gave a low snort. The biggest house in Tombstone, in the center of the elegant north-eastern corner of town. Of course, Harvey Dale would be satisfied with nothing less. Dale had no compunction about spending other people's money.
A sign of movement at the rear door of the house interrupted Ross's thoughts. He adjusted his glass so he might more clearly see the figure that emerged. A low, spontaneous gasp escaped his lips as Devina Dale stepped out into the morning sunlight. The rapid escalation of his heartbeat revealing his affected state, Ross again adjusted his glass in an attempt to achieve sharper focus.
Firmly refusing to acknowledge his own intense reaction to Devina Dale, even at a distance, Ross watched as she walked slowly down the two steps into the yard. She was perusing the countryside. Her concentration on a point in his direction afforded him an unrestricted view of her face, and his heart leaped in his chest. The tilt of her chin was almost regal, and she wore her hair piled high atop her head. He had never seen hair quite that color before, a peculiar shade of pale blond that was almost silver. It glowed in the brilliant light, a soft, glimmering halo.
She was standing so still. Her smooth, perfect face was sober. She continued to look in his direction unseeingly, her mind obviously far from the hills into which she stared. What was she
China Mary was no longer smiling. "Perhaps a visit to the very comfortable dwelling next door. Mei Ling and Gin Lon would be honored by your presence."
"I have no use for professional prostitutes, most especially of your race. No, I choose to wander in a more chaste garden. I should like to bask in the beauty of a graceful lily."
"The one whom you seek is not available in this day."
"Make her available."
"She has gone on a personal errand; I know not where."
"You know everything that goes on in Tombstone, Mary. Get her back here. Now."
Her eyes holding his in open challenge for the briefest second, Mary gave a short nod.
"That's better." Turning toward the narrow staircase that beckoned him, Harvey took only two steps, then turned to garner Mary's gaze once more. "I do not expect to be kept waiting for longer than five minutes, Mary. I need not remind you that you will do well not to disappoint me."
Waiting only a moment longer for her nod of acquiescence, Harvey was soon ascending the narrow staircase.
His face covered with a sheen of perspiration, Ross glanced up toward the unrelenting sun and muttered a curse under his breath. He adjusted his position as he lay on his stomach on the hard packed ground, sending a quick glance around him to again curse the rolling landscape, which was entirely devoid of trees. Where was the breeze that could usually be counted upon to adequately cool a man before he expired from the heat? This morning, of all mornings, the air was perfectly still.
Ross trained his spyglass on the Dale house in the distance. Having arrived a short time before, he had tethered his horse on the far side of the hill, climbed to the top of the rise, found a position suitable for silent observation, and made himself as comfortable as possible. He had known he was in for a long siege, but he had not realized how very uncomfortable it would be.
Damn, he had not figured the haughty Miss Dale to be a recluse. He had expected that she would be moving about town by now. His annoyance flared, and Ross reminded himself that this was but the first day of a surveillance he expected would be of considerable duration. When Miss Dale's routine was established and he had decided which time of day she would be most vulnerable, he would take action.
Continuing his perusal of the impressive Dale residence, Ross gave a low snort. The biggest house in Tombstone, in the center of the elegant north-eastern corner of town. Of course, Harvey Dale would be satisfied with nothing less. Dale had no compunction about spending other people's money.
A sign of movement at the rear door of the house interrupted Ross's thoughts. He adjusted his glass so he might more clearly see the figure that emerged. A low, spontaneous gasp escaped his lips as Devina Dale stepped out into the morning sunlight. The rapid escalation of his heartbeat revealing his affected state, Ross again adjusted his glass in an attempt to achieve sharper focus.
Firmly refusing to acknowledge his own intense reaction to Devina Dale, even at a distance, Ross watched as she walked slowly down the two steps into the yard. She was perusing the countryside. Her concentration on a point in his direction afforded him an unrestricted view of her face, and his heart leaped in his chest. The tilt of her chin was almost regal, and she wore her hair piled high atop her head. He had never seen hair quite that color before, a peculiar shade of pale blond that was almost silver. It glowed in the brilliant light, a soft, glimmering halo.
She was standing so still. Her smooth, perfect face was sober. She continued to look in his direction unseeingly, her mind obviously far from the hills into which she stared. What was she
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