Read Online Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Constance O'Banyon
Tags: Fiction, adventure, Romance, Historical, Adult, Action, British, captive, ocean, 18th Century, kidnapped, Pirate, sailing, escape, sea voyage, captain, ransom, Nautical, freedom, american revolution, bound, Spirited, VELVET CHAINS, American Patriot, Redcoats, Will To Resist, Abductor's Eyes, Possessing, Rebelled, Linked Fate
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innocent. She appears as pure and untouched as an angel. He reminded himself that she was a trollop, and reflected that he had thought she would be older. His eyes rested on her slightly parted lips that seemed to invite a man's kiss; then his gaze dropped to the modestly high neckline of her gown and he noticed how snugly it fit her full, firm breasts. When he looked back at her face, he could have sworn the blush that stained her cheeks was genuine.
General Clinton interrupted the silence. "Lady Chatsworth, may I present to you your cousin, Edmund Kensworthy." The general smiled at Edmund's confusion.
Season had paid no heed to the man to whom Lord Clinton had just introduced to her. Now he bowed politely. In a bold display, he took her hand and raised it to his lips. She felt a fool as he brushed her fingertips with his mouth.
"I am indeed honored to meet you, my lady,"
Edmund said, smiling brightly. He could hardly contain his joy or believe his good fortune. His future bride was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen!
Season faced her future husband with a sinking heart. Why was she feeling such overwhelming disappointment? Edmund Kensworthy was a well-set man with a sincere light in his blue eyes. She would have considered him handsome had he not been standing next to the dark silent stranger.
Season looked once more into those golden eyes as if beseeching their possessor not to allow all her girlhood fantasies to die so suddenly. She tried to find her voice, but even breathing seemed difficult. In her distress, she tried to hide her confusion by turning back to her cousin Edmund.
"I. . . am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir," she said, hardly above a whisper.
"I look forward to the time when we shall come to know one another, my lady," Edmund said, his good humor at finding his bride so pleasant to the eye obvious.
"My father sends his regards," she said, for want of something better to say. Her whole being was attuned to the tall stranger who was still silently appraising her.
"I am pleased indeed that my uncle should think of me," Edmund replied, suddenly noticing where his bride-to-be's attention was focused. As always, Lucas seemed to draw the eyes of any female away from him. Edmund was perturbed that it should be so with his intended bride. Good manners dictated that he should present Lady Chatsworth to Lucas, however, so he had no choice.
"My lady, may I present my cousin, Lucas Carrington. Lucas, Lady Season Chatsworth."
Season's eyes widened in surprise. "If the two of you are cousins, does that mean I am also related to you, Mr. Carrington?"
"Lucas inclined his head. "I fear it isn't the case, my lady. You see Edmund is related to me on his mother's side, while he is aligned with you through his father. I am loath to tell you that I am no more than Edmund's country cousin from America."
Lucas Carrington's voice was deep, and the sound of it sent shivers down Season's spine. She could read insolence in his eyes and she realized that Mr. Carrington was trying to be insulting to her. His rudeness fanned her anger to life, and she gave him her haughtiest glance.
"What a pity," she said. Watching his golden eyes light up with amusement, she began to blush with maidenly shyness, and to cover her confusion she turned back to face Edmund Kensworthy.
"You do not look anything like your American cousin, and he speaks with a strange accent," she told Edmund. Season felt herself flush again, and she was afraid that she was babbling like a silly schoolgirl. She heard deep laughter behind her and realized Lucas Carrington was amused by her foolish statement.
"I am what you would term a colonial, my lady— thus the accent. If you will excuse me, I see a friend. It was a pleasure to meet you, my lady. Do enjoy your stay in my country." He bowed curtly and walked leisurely away. Season watched as he approached a lovely lady, took her hand, and led her away from the crowd.
"I hope you will forgive my
General Clinton interrupted the silence. "Lady Chatsworth, may I present to you your cousin, Edmund Kensworthy." The general smiled at Edmund's confusion.
Season had paid no heed to the man to whom Lord Clinton had just introduced to her. Now he bowed politely. In a bold display, he took her hand and raised it to his lips. She felt a fool as he brushed her fingertips with his mouth.
"I am indeed honored to meet you, my lady,"
Edmund said, smiling brightly. He could hardly contain his joy or believe his good fortune. His future bride was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen!
Season faced her future husband with a sinking heart. Why was she feeling such overwhelming disappointment? Edmund Kensworthy was a well-set man with a sincere light in his blue eyes. She would have considered him handsome had he not been standing next to the dark silent stranger.
Season looked once more into those golden eyes as if beseeching their possessor not to allow all her girlhood fantasies to die so suddenly. She tried to find her voice, but even breathing seemed difficult. In her distress, she tried to hide her confusion by turning back to her cousin Edmund.
"I. . . am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir," she said, hardly above a whisper.
"I look forward to the time when we shall come to know one another, my lady," Edmund said, his good humor at finding his bride so pleasant to the eye obvious.
"My father sends his regards," she said, for want of something better to say. Her whole being was attuned to the tall stranger who was still silently appraising her.
"I am pleased indeed that my uncle should think of me," Edmund replied, suddenly noticing where his bride-to-be's attention was focused. As always, Lucas seemed to draw the eyes of any female away from him. Edmund was perturbed that it should be so with his intended bride. Good manners dictated that he should present Lady Chatsworth to Lucas, however, so he had no choice.
"My lady, may I present my cousin, Lucas Carrington. Lucas, Lady Season Chatsworth."
Season's eyes widened in surprise. "If the two of you are cousins, does that mean I am also related to you, Mr. Carrington?"
"Lucas inclined his head. "I fear it isn't the case, my lady. You see Edmund is related to me on his mother's side, while he is aligned with you through his father. I am loath to tell you that I am no more than Edmund's country cousin from America."
Lucas Carrington's voice was deep, and the sound of it sent shivers down Season's spine. She could read insolence in his eyes and she realized that Mr. Carrington was trying to be insulting to her. His rudeness fanned her anger to life, and she gave him her haughtiest glance.
"What a pity," she said. Watching his golden eyes light up with amusement, she began to blush with maidenly shyness, and to cover her confusion she turned back to face Edmund Kensworthy.
"You do not look anything like your American cousin, and he speaks with a strange accent," she told Edmund. Season felt herself flush again, and she was afraid that she was babbling like a silly schoolgirl. She heard deep laughter behind her and realized Lucas Carrington was amused by her foolish statement.
"I am what you would term a colonial, my lady— thus the accent. If you will excuse me, I see a friend. It was a pleasure to meet you, my lady. Do enjoy your stay in my country." He bowed curtly and walked leisurely away. Season watched as he approached a lovely lady, took her hand, and led her away from the crowd.
"I hope you will forgive my
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