Read Online Through Gypsy Eyes by Killarney Sheffield - Free Book Online Page B

an inappropriate manner.”
    She leaped aboard the waiting pony and jabbed her bare feet into its sides. Her howl of outrage did nothing to appease his guilt as she galloped recklessly from the clearing.
    “Damn it!” Snatching up his clothing and hopping on one foot, he attempted to shove the other into the leg of his trousers. He swore again as she rounded the curve in the path and disappeared from sight. Clutching his boots, he bolted after her.
    A startling shriek added urgency to his stride. He rounded the bend in time to see the riderless pony slide to a halt and then carry on in the direction of the house. Fear clutched Tyrone’s chest. Even in the dark he knew the shape lying across the path was Delilah. He reached her side out of breath and knelt down.
Please let her be all right.
He said a silent prayer as he rolled her face up. After brushing away the twigs and leaves stuck to her face, he put his ear to her mouth. To his relief she moaned, her sweet breath skimming his cheek. “Miss Daysland?”
    Her eyelids fluttered and she opened her eyes.
    He breathed a sigh of relief. “What happened? Are you all right?”
    “I am fine … just knocked the wind … out of myself.” She sat up and then shoved him away. “Why did you pull me from Jester’s back? You could have seriously injured me.”
    He stared at her for a second, lost for words. “I did nothing of the sort. The pony spooked and dumped you.”
    “Nay! You pulled me off. I felt you grab the back of my dress.” She scrambled to her feet.
    “I did no such thing. I swear. The pony spooked.”
    “Liar!” she hissed. Turning her back on him, she stalked off down the path.
    He hurried after her. “Look out.” Grabbing her hand, he steered her around the trunk of a tree just before she would have walked into it. “I
never
lie, Miss Daysland.”
    With a snort she accepted his guidance but remained rigid and silent.
    It was useless to defend himself against her claims. When her anger abated maybe then he could make her see reason. Resigned to her silence, Tyrone led her down the path back to the garden gate. Once there she wrenched her arm free from his grasp and marched up the steps. Stiff backed, she crossed the veranda and stomped into the house. The door banged behind her. He cringed at the sound. It seemed every conversation they entered into ended in a slamming door. Shaking his head, he turned back to the path to the woods to search for whatever spooked the pony. Perhaps he could prove his innocence.
    Why did the woman insist he was out to hurt her? There was nothing for him to gain by her injury or death. It was not as if he needed her money. Guilt niggled at him. That was not precisely true. Wasn’t he marrying Miss Deval for financial and political gain? Nonetheless, surely Miss Daysland knew he would never stoop to hurting someone for monetary reward. He groaned. No, how would she when her own servants seemed to be after her inheritance?
    Jester materialized by the garden gate as if nothing was amiss, startling him. Tyrone opened it and let the pony in. The beast appeared no worse for wear, he noted before shutting the gate behind him and heading for the trail through the woods. An hour later he returned, none the wiser as to what caused the pony’s flight.

Chapter Eleven
    Delilah made her way downstairs later than usual the next morning. Caution stilled her steps as she entered the breakfast room, listening for any sign of the earl. When no noise drew her attention she made her way to the buffet. She groped for the lid on the first warming tray, lifted it off, and sniffed. The buttery aroma of scrambled eggs greeted her. Running her fingers along the edge, she located the spoon and slid a plate closer. After placing a spoonful of eggs on the plate, she replaced the lid and felt for the next tray. A deep inhale of its contents made her smile.
Ah, honeyed ham, one of my favorites
. She stabbed a couple slices and added them to her plate,