Free Courtesan's Kiss by Mary Blayney Page A

the same energy he felt racing through him.
    He swung himself down from the driver’s box and with a quick glance at the horses, which appeared winded but fine, gave his attention to Miss Castellano.
    Kicking the door open, she jumped into his outstretched arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he swung her in a circle before setting her down. David did not release her and Mia did not move away.
    “What an adventure, my lord! Trapped in a runaway carriage. Rescued by a handsome man. It would make a wonderful scene for a theatrical vignette.”
    “You are amazing. I cannot imagine any other womanreacting with enthusiasm to this debacle. Tears and swoons would be more like it.”
    She smiled at him, flattered if not thrilled by his praise.
    William had found his match, David thought, a female who loved adventure. The viscount had been a fool not to give her what she needed and never let her go.

Chapter Eight

    D AVID SAW THE MOMENT her jubilation disappeared, the moment she realized the closeness of their embrace or read his thoughts. No wonder Lord Arthur had given in to temptation. One kiss was a poor substitute for what he wanted from her. He wanted this excitement next to him in bed, her sense of adventure explored with her legs wrapped around him and him deep inside her, that look of wonder when she understood what a man and woman could truly share. A kiss was nothing by comparison.
    Her expression changed from elation to intrigue, an expression so close to temptation that it sobered him immediately.
    Damnation, he was her protector for the next twenty-four hours. Surely he could reach Sandleton and their chaperone without compromising both of them. He sether away from him. She raised a hand to her hair and continued on as if nothing had passed between them.
    “What good fortune Janina insisted I take the umbrella. Why didn’t John Coachman have one?”
    “One can hardly drive a coach while holding an umbrella.” He turned away. The horses were winded and in need of some water and rest, and he had to see to the others.
    As if she read his mind, Miss Castellano’s grin disappeared and she raised a hand to her mouth. “John Coachman! I hope he is not badly injured. I will go back while you tend to the horses.” Without waiting for his agreement she ran off. The coachman and the grooms were out of sight but still she began to hurry back toward them.
    By the time David turned the carriage and headed back down the road, she, too, had passed from sight. When he reached the group he saw a tableau he had not expected.
    One of the grooms sat on a log, his head in his hands. The other groom had the coachman propped up against a tree, but now stood around like a girl with nothing to do but wring her hands.
    Blood seeped from a wound on the coachman’s forehead. Miss Castellano worked at staunching the flow with a white cloth he suspected she had ripped from her petticoat.
    She glanced at the grooms. “What is the matter with you two? Don’t just stand there. Bring me the water flask from the coach. Don’t sit on that log. Go help Lord David!”
    One of the grooms scrambled to obey as David observed her command of the situation. In his experience, when faced with an emergency women fell into two classes, those who wailed and worried and those who took direction well. He could not think of a time when a woman had taken charge.
    He left his horse and the team in the shade and walked over to the gathering. Miss Castellano looked up at him and continued her ministrations as she spoke.
    “John Coachman has come to his senses, my lord. But he is feverish and complains of headache and has been sick to his stomach.” She added the last in a conspiratorial whisper. She stood up, faced him, and spoke quietly. “The same complaint that Janina made.”
    David nodded, aware of what she suggested. She wondered if some kind of pestilence had settled among them.
    “Leave me alone!” the groom who sat on the log shouted to