Read Online The Wedding Chase by Rebecca Kelley - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Rebecca Kelley
Ads: Link
willing to use my body but not offer your name or protection.”
“Blessed flames of hell! You entered into our agreement with eyes open and hands out. I made it clear what I offered and what I demanded in return. You were only too eager to comply.” He stared at the tears glistening in her reptilian eyes before turning his attention back to the pair of grays. “You seem to have forgotten your husband is still alive.”
“Not for long. He’s old and sickly.” Her voice softened to a breathy whisper. “I never expected to fall in love with you.”
“Beelzebub’s bootblack!” Wolfgang laughed harshly. “Do you think I’m a babe in the nursery? You love only yourself.” He glared at her. She wasn’t worth losing his temper.
“Wolf?” Isadora inhaled till her breasts nearly popped the seams of her dress. “Do you forget how our bodies fit together?”
“You bore me,
Lady
Horeton. You no longer have permission to use my Christian name. This conversation is over.” She pouted but to his relief made no further attempt to engage him in conversation. But he knew she hadn’t given up yet.
The mismatched bevy of conveyences clambered along beside the stream that cut gently into the curving hillside. They soon reached a grassy, tree-laden spot halfway to the summit.
As vehicles emptied, the revelers scattered, exclaiming over abundant rhododendrons and fragrant wild lilacs. Wolfgang watched, amused, as Zel made an escape.
Following silently, he slipped behind her and laid a hand lightly on her shoulder. As Zel whirled about, his hand played along her back, coming to rest on the opposite shoulder, and Wolfgang slid his other hand around her slender waist. “Bored of Newton so soon? I would never bore you.”
“I prefer to be alone.” She removed both hands, placing them back at his sides.
His lips twitched as he watched her walk rigidly towarda meadow sprinkled with buttercups and daisies. He would enjoy taking some of the stiffness out of that straight spine.
He caught up to her, matching his stride to hers. “You never wear a corset.”
“And you, sir, are forever saying the most improper things.” Zel’s voice rang out a little higher than its usual throaty tone.
“I haven’t felt one when I’ve touched you.” He scanned her as they walked, sure he’d raised a blush, if only he could see her elfish face beneath the faded chip-straw bonnet. “And there’s no telltale line beneath your gowns, loose as they are.”
“What I wear beneath my gowns is no concern of yours.” Her stride lengthened as they emerged from the trees.
Wolfgang chuckled with devilish delight as he admired the sway of her hips. “Oh, but it is. Sometimes I think of nothing else for hours on end.” He moved close by her side. “I’d place odds you possess strong opinions on the merits, or should I say demerits, of corsets.”
Zel attempted a stern look, then grumbled. “Point to Lord Northcliffe. The corset was designed to restrict a woman and make her appearance more desirable to men.”
“But today’s fashions allow a freer look. I’d wager as many men as women wear the things. And don’t they afford a barrier to a man’s touch?” Wolfgang stood close enough now that he could distinguish her spicy scent from the floral perfume surrounding them.
“Not to anywhere he truly wants to touch.”
“And you call me improper!” His mirthful crow stopped her short. He grasped her arm to keep from crashing into her.
“You started this conversation. I am only making polite response.” He could imagine the little hairs along the nape of her long neck bristling like the quills of a hedgehog.
“I would have a little impolite response then.” With one hand Wolfgang tugged free the ribbons under her chin andhurled the ugly bonnet to the ground. With the other, he pulled off her spectacles and pocketed them. His eyes crept over her face, he could almost feel the smooth coolness of her skin. His mouth brushed
“Blessed flames of hell! You entered into our agreement with eyes open and hands out. I made it clear what I offered and what I demanded in return. You were only too eager to comply.” He stared at the tears glistening in her reptilian eyes before turning his attention back to the pair of grays. “You seem to have forgotten your husband is still alive.”
“Not for long. He’s old and sickly.” Her voice softened to a breathy whisper. “I never expected to fall in love with you.”
“Beelzebub’s bootblack!” Wolfgang laughed harshly. “Do you think I’m a babe in the nursery? You love only yourself.” He glared at her. She wasn’t worth losing his temper.
“Wolf?” Isadora inhaled till her breasts nearly popped the seams of her dress. “Do you forget how our bodies fit together?”
“You bore me,
Lady
Horeton. You no longer have permission to use my Christian name. This conversation is over.” She pouted but to his relief made no further attempt to engage him in conversation. But he knew she hadn’t given up yet.
The mismatched bevy of conveyences clambered along beside the stream that cut gently into the curving hillside. They soon reached a grassy, tree-laden spot halfway to the summit.
As vehicles emptied, the revelers scattered, exclaiming over abundant rhododendrons and fragrant wild lilacs. Wolfgang watched, amused, as Zel made an escape.
Following silently, he slipped behind her and laid a hand lightly on her shoulder. As Zel whirled about, his hand played along her back, coming to rest on the opposite shoulder, and Wolfgang slid his other hand around her slender waist. “Bored of Newton so soon? I would never bore you.”
“I prefer to be alone.” She removed both hands, placing them back at his sides.
His lips twitched as he watched her walk rigidly towarda meadow sprinkled with buttercups and daisies. He would enjoy taking some of the stiffness out of that straight spine.
He caught up to her, matching his stride to hers. “You never wear a corset.”
“And you, sir, are forever saying the most improper things.” Zel’s voice rang out a little higher than its usual throaty tone.
“I haven’t felt one when I’ve touched you.” He scanned her as they walked, sure he’d raised a blush, if only he could see her elfish face beneath the faded chip-straw bonnet. “And there’s no telltale line beneath your gowns, loose as they are.”
“What I wear beneath my gowns is no concern of yours.” Her stride lengthened as they emerged from the trees.
Wolfgang chuckled with devilish delight as he admired the sway of her hips. “Oh, but it is. Sometimes I think of nothing else for hours on end.” He moved close by her side. “I’d place odds you possess strong opinions on the merits, or should I say demerits, of corsets.”
Zel attempted a stern look, then grumbled. “Point to Lord Northcliffe. The corset was designed to restrict a woman and make her appearance more desirable to men.”
“But today’s fashions allow a freer look. I’d wager as many men as women wear the things. And don’t they afford a barrier to a man’s touch?” Wolfgang stood close enough now that he could distinguish her spicy scent from the floral perfume surrounding them.
“Not to anywhere he truly wants to touch.”
“And you call me improper!” His mirthful crow stopped her short. He grasped her arm to keep from crashing into her.
“You started this conversation. I am only making polite response.” He could imagine the little hairs along the nape of her long neck bristling like the quills of a hedgehog.
“I would have a little impolite response then.” With one hand Wolfgang tugged free the ribbons under her chin andhurled the ugly bonnet to the ground. With the other, he pulled off her spectacles and pocketed them. His eyes crept over her face, he could almost feel the smooth coolness of her skin. His mouth brushed
Similar Books
