Read Online Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tracie Peterson
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‘Do not betray our secret.’ ” She opened and closed the fan several times. “This suggests that you are being cruel and I am quite vexed with you.” She smiled. “But of course, I am not.”
“For that I am glad,” the major replied.
Just then Laura dropped the fan and let it dangle on her wrist. “This says, ‘We will be friends.’ And that is my wish, Major.”
He laughed. “Not only beautiful, but charming, as well. I would be happy to be your friend, Miss Marquardt. But for now, I have other duties. I hope you will enjoy yourself this evening.”
“Thank you, Major. I believe I will.”
Brandon waited until Justin had moved off to discuss something with another of the officers before turning to Laura. “You are quite impressive with your secret language and all.”
“Well, of course it only works if the gentleman in question also speaks the language. Or should I say, reads the language. My mother says that a couple can conduct an entire courtship without words if they both know the secrets of the fan.”
He laughed and took hold of her arm. “You will have to teach me then.”
“Are you planning a courtship, Captain?” she asked innocently.
He raised a brow. “Are you proposing one?”
She blushed as he had expected and looked lost for words. Taking her fan in hand, she opened it fully and held it in her right hand.
“And what does that mean?” he asked, unable to resist.
She smiled in a coy fashion. “It means, ‘You are too willing.’ ”
He roared with laughter, causing several people—including Carissa—to take note. Brandon couldn’t help himself and offered no explanation. He liked this young woman. Liked her spunk and wit. Perhaps it was time he learned more about fans.
Laura listened with interest as the general shared Brandon’s accomplishments. Apparently Brandon Reid was a strong leader. She was impressed with his heroic measures, as well. It seemed he had risked his life on multiple occasions to rescue fallen comrades.
Once the speeches were completed, a little band assembled and the room was cleared for dancing. Laura watched her sister move from partner to partner, flirting openly as she went. Carissa seemed to have no awareness of her actions. Laura didn’t want to put an end to her sister’s good time, but gracious, the girl had just announced her engagement!
“Might I have a word with you?” Laura asked as the music concluded and Carissa came to a stop not but two feet away.
“I suppose if you must,” her sister replied. “I have promised the next dance, however.”
Laura took Carissa by the arm and led her to the corner of the room. “You are making quite a spectacle of yourself. Would Malcolm approve of your actions?”
“I’ve done nothing wrong,” she protested. “I’m not yet a married woman. Besides, I’m only being nice to the officers. They are far from home and they miss their wives and sweethearts. I’m simply trying to cheer their spirits.”
“Well, perhaps you should do less cheering,” Laura suggested.
Brandon joined them just then and gave Laura a sweeping bow. “I wonder if I might have the next dance?”
She’d been surprised that he hadn’t asked before then. There had already been half a dozen dances, and while Laura hadn’t wanted for a partner, she couldn’t help but wonder why Brandon had not attempted to be one of them.
She let her fan rest on her right cheek and smiled. “This means yes.”
He laughed and took hold of her arm. “Come along, then. They are playing a waltz.”
Pulling her into his arms, Brandon carefully maneuvered her around the other couples. The house was not designed for large crowds of dancers, leaving the pairs in close proximity.
“Are you having a good time?” he asked. “I saw that the general’s entire staff had gathered in your corner.”
She shook her head. “They were there to see Carissa, I assure you.”
“Hardly. You outshine your sister like the sun to the
“For that I am glad,” the major replied.
Just then Laura dropped the fan and let it dangle on her wrist. “This says, ‘We will be friends.’ And that is my wish, Major.”
He laughed. “Not only beautiful, but charming, as well. I would be happy to be your friend, Miss Marquardt. But for now, I have other duties. I hope you will enjoy yourself this evening.”
“Thank you, Major. I believe I will.”
Brandon waited until Justin had moved off to discuss something with another of the officers before turning to Laura. “You are quite impressive with your secret language and all.”
“Well, of course it only works if the gentleman in question also speaks the language. Or should I say, reads the language. My mother says that a couple can conduct an entire courtship without words if they both know the secrets of the fan.”
He laughed and took hold of her arm. “You will have to teach me then.”
“Are you planning a courtship, Captain?” she asked innocently.
He raised a brow. “Are you proposing one?”
She blushed as he had expected and looked lost for words. Taking her fan in hand, she opened it fully and held it in her right hand.
“And what does that mean?” he asked, unable to resist.
She smiled in a coy fashion. “It means, ‘You are too willing.’ ”
He roared with laughter, causing several people—including Carissa—to take note. Brandon couldn’t help himself and offered no explanation. He liked this young woman. Liked her spunk and wit. Perhaps it was time he learned more about fans.
Laura listened with interest as the general shared Brandon’s accomplishments. Apparently Brandon Reid was a strong leader. She was impressed with his heroic measures, as well. It seemed he had risked his life on multiple occasions to rescue fallen comrades.
Once the speeches were completed, a little band assembled and the room was cleared for dancing. Laura watched her sister move from partner to partner, flirting openly as she went. Carissa seemed to have no awareness of her actions. Laura didn’t want to put an end to her sister’s good time, but gracious, the girl had just announced her engagement!
“Might I have a word with you?” Laura asked as the music concluded and Carissa came to a stop not but two feet away.
“I suppose if you must,” her sister replied. “I have promised the next dance, however.”
Laura took Carissa by the arm and led her to the corner of the room. “You are making quite a spectacle of yourself. Would Malcolm approve of your actions?”
“I’ve done nothing wrong,” she protested. “I’m not yet a married woman. Besides, I’m only being nice to the officers. They are far from home and they miss their wives and sweethearts. I’m simply trying to cheer their spirits.”
“Well, perhaps you should do less cheering,” Laura suggested.
Brandon joined them just then and gave Laura a sweeping bow. “I wonder if I might have the next dance?”
She’d been surprised that he hadn’t asked before then. There had already been half a dozen dances, and while Laura hadn’t wanted for a partner, she couldn’t help but wonder why Brandon had not attempted to be one of them.
She let her fan rest on her right cheek and smiled. “This means yes.”
He laughed and took hold of her arm. “Come along, then. They are playing a waltz.”
Pulling her into his arms, Brandon carefully maneuvered her around the other couples. The house was not designed for large crowds of dancers, leaving the pairs in close proximity.
“Are you having a good time?” he asked. “I saw that the general’s entire staff had gathered in your corner.”
She shook her head. “They were there to see Carissa, I assure you.”
“Hardly. You outshine your sister like the sun to the
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