Read Online The Devil's Own Luck (Once a Spy) by Diana Douglas - Free Book Online Page A

I’m fairly certain Eugene gave it to them. We had to do something. At first, we pretended that feathers made me sneeze just to keep her from wearing it, but it was dreadfully inconvenient having to sneeze every time I was in the vicinity of a feather.” She tugged at her hat. “As you can see, now that the wretched flamingo headdress has been eliminated, I am no longer sensitive.”
    “A miracle, indeed,” he murmured. He looked at her a minute and then said, “Cecelia, we need to talk about what happened yesterday. Kissing you… I won’t apologize if you don’t want me to, but it was a mistake on my part. A big mistake. I feel very bad about it. I won’t let it happen again.”
    She chewed on her lip a moment. “But, I don’t want you to feel bad about it. No one saw us and to be truthful, I quite liked it. I’ve never been kissed like that before. It made me feel as if... As if something wonderful was about to happen.”
    Her honesty tore at him. He sighed. “My reputation isn’t the best, brat. And to be seen kissing me would ruin yours. That’s the last thing I want for you.”
    Frowning, she stared at him. “Was kissing me so unpleasant?” His mouth fell open with astonishment. “Good God, no! What makes you ask that?”
    “Because you obviously didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought you did. I would imagine most men want someone like Priscilla. She’s beautiful.”
    “She is,” he conceded. “But a woman doesn’t need to be blond, blue-eyed and petite to be beautiful. Life would be very boring if all women looked alike. You’re a beautiful young woman and when you’re not falling over logs or hurdling down the steps, you’re one of the most graceful women I’ve ever met.” He reached across and tilted her face up with a finger tip. “I didn’t stop kissing you because I wanted to.” He allowed his hand to fall to his side. “I was afraid that if I didn’t stop, I wouldn’t be able to,” he paused, “stop.”
    A slow smile spread across her face. “Thank you. I would hate it if you thought it unpleasant.” A gust of wind caught an errant lock of hair. She pushed it away from her face.
    He was struck again by her innocence. “I only speak the truth but it’s not something we can repeat.” He was interrupted as lightning split the sky and thunder rumbled loudly in the background. An angry blast of wind rattled the leaves on the trees and the air had suddenly grown cold. The storm had blown in more quickly than he had anticipated and he was stuck with the decision of taking her home or seeking shelter. “It looks as if the sky is about to open up. Throw everything in the basket,” he directed. “I’ll get the horses before they break loose and bolt." By the time they were in their saddles, the decision had been made for them. It was obvious they needed to seek immediate shelter. Both horses were nervously snorting and stomping at the earth, and the sky had taken on a greenish tint. The storm would not be a mild one. He had to shout over gusting wind. “Our hunting lodge isn’t far. We’ll stay there until this blows over.”
    She nodded and they were on their way. It was a miserable ride. They were pelted by cold, slanting rain that fell at a furious pace, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. They slowed to a walk and by the time they reached the lodge water was streaming off the brim of her hat and her riding habit was soaked and sticking uncomfortably to her skin. Rand quickly dismounted and helped her down. “I’ll get the horses stabled,” he shouted over the noise of the storm. "You’ll find a key beneath the jardinière on the front porch and a tinderbox and candles in the entrance hall. I’ll get a fire going as soon as I return from the stables.”

    The key was easily located, the door opened, and Cecelia stepped inside. The chill air was musty and smelled of disuse, but it was