Read Online Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online

doubted that was the case.
    He dismounted and tied his gelding to a post before making his way to the Marquardts’ door. He gave a brief but heavy knock and waited for someone to greet him. In a few moments the door was opened by the same elderly butler he’d first met weeks ago.
    “Captain Reid,” Mr. Gaston announced as they made their way into the front sitting room.
    Laura stood as he entered and said, “Captain, it’s good to see you again.”
    “And you, Miss Marquardt.” He gave Laura a slight bow, then turned to Carissa and greeted her much the same way before his gaze went back to rest on Laura’s alluring features. What a color , he thought as he studied her eyes. Like pale maple with glints of gold.
    She cleared her throat. “I am sorry to tell you that our parents cannot attend this evening’s festivities. Mother is feeling unwell, and Father has no desire to go without her.”
    Brandon forced himself to pull his focus from her eyes and concentrate on her announcement. “I am sorry to hear of your Mother’s illness. I pray it is nothing serious.”
    Laura nodded and looked to Carissa. “Thank you. If you are still of a mind to have company, Carissa and I will be happy to join you.”
    Brandon wanted to tell her just how pleasurable an evening in her company sounded to him, but he held his tongue. No sense in scaring her off by acting the rogue. “I will most gladly escort you. And might I say you both look lovely.”
    Carissa all but danced around the room. She gave a twirl to accentuate the cut of her powder-blue gown. The silk and lace shimmered in the lamplight as she moved. “Thank you, Captain. It has been ever so long since we attended a real party.”
    “Well, I cannot account for whether or not this party will meet your standards, but the wives of several officers have been hard at work. I believe it will be satisfactory.”
    Carissa laughed. “They could be racing dogs on the beach, and I would find it far more thrilling than any experience I’ve had of late.”
    He laughed at this. “Very well. Then I suggest we call for your carriage and be off.”
    “You will ride with us, won’t you?” Laura asked. “I mean, there is no sense in you riding your horse and having us go separately in the carriage. Give your mount a rest. You can trust our groom to see to him.”
    “That would be very nice,” Brandon replied. “I cannot find fault with that idea.”
    “Wonderful. I’ll go instruct him now.”
    Laura stepped out and when she returned after several minutes, she held a fan in one gloved hand and a small reticule in the other. “The carriage will be brought around momentarily. Would you care for some refreshment before we go, Captain?”
    “Please call me Brandon. I will no longer be a captain after tomorrow.”
    “I daresay you will go on being thought of in that manner for years to come. However, it would hardly be appropriate for us to presume a familiarity with you.”
    “Oh, pshaw!” Carissa declared. “He has asked us to call him by his Christian name, and I for one intend to do so. You can have your social formalities if you like, Laura, but I would rather avoid them.”
    “Sometimes social formalities keep us safe,” Laura countered.
    Brandon could see that she wasn’t happy with her sister’s flippant attitude and he certainly didn’t want to see a family feud break out. “Either way, ladies, do use whatever name makes you most comfortable.”
    They stepped outside, and Brandon noted that the warmth of summer had faded somewhat with the setting sun. The twilight left a golden hue on the western horizon, while the skies over the Gulf were a darkening shade of blue. Brandon remembered this time of evening in Indiana with fondness. There was a sense of comfort and ease that came with the night—especially after a day of hard work.
    “You seem to be deep in thought.”
    Brandon looked at Laura and smiled. “I suppose I am. I was just remembering my