Free Hannah Howell by Kentucky Bride Page A

waterfront for drinks and excitement. Soon afterward, Agnes ushered the twins off to bed, her intention of giving him some time alone with Clover so clear that Ballard had to smile. He finished off his brandy and moved to sit next to Clover on the settee, grinning at the nervous glance she gave him as he draped his arm around her shoulders.
    “Weel, lass, ye still have time to change your mind.” He nuzzled her thick, sweet-smelling hair and felt a light tremor pass through her slim frame.
    “I do not want to change my mind.” She turned to look at him. “I
cannot
.”
    He lightly traced the shape of her face with his fingertips. “I willnae argue with ye, lass, for I am getting what I want. Now, your mother left us alone to learn to ken each other a wee bit better.”
    “I do not believe she intended you to try and
ken
me this well, sir.” Clover made what even she recognized as a weak attempt to wriggle out of his hold.
    “A kiss between betrothed folk isnae such a bad thing.”
    “It is not very proper either.”
    “Ah, wee Clover, there are times when ye are
too
proper. I shall have to break ye of that.”
    Before Clover could respond, Ballard kissed her. Clover gave only one fleeting thought to pushing him away before she wrapped her arms around his neck. She savored the taste of him as he stroked the inside of her mouth with his tongue. For awhile she immersed herself in the pleasure his kiss inspired. Then she felt his hands slide up the sides of her breasts. The way he moved his thumbs against the swells made her shiver with desire, but it also shocked her back to sensibility. She abruptly moved out of his hold and stumbled to her feet.
    “I believe we have been alone long enough, Mr. MacGregor,” she said, inwardly cursing her breathlessness.
    Ballard reached for her, laughing when she jumped back. “I was thinking we had just begun.”
    “You can think again. Now, although it has been a very pleasant evening,” she said as she backed toward the door, “I believe I must retire for the night. ‘Twillbe a very busy day tomorrow. Good night, Mr. MacGregor.”
    “Sleep weel, lassie,” he called after her as she hurried out the door. “Ye willnae be able to run away on the morrow.”
    She shut the door on his soft chuckles and muttered what few curses she knew as she went up the stairs. The man had a disturbing ability to turn her mind to mush. Clover sighed as she entered her room. Marriage to Mr. Ballard MacGregor might prove to be an even mix of delight and aggravation.

Chapter Four
     
    “Are ye sure ye are doing the right thing, Ballard?” Shelton asked as he, Lambert, and Ballard stepped out of a carriage in front of the Sherwood home.
    Ballard cursed, then muttered an apology to the Reverend Denning as he helped the elderly preacher out of the carriage. He had been so busy all morning delivering his horses to Mr. Grendall that he had barely had time to prepare for his own wedding. It had been advantageous in that he had had little time to ponder the big step he was about to take. Now he wished he had set aside a few moments to have a serious talk with his young relatives.
    “Shelton, ye have been asking me that almost continuously since I announced my marriage plans,” he answered.
    “Needs to be asked,” muttered Lambert.
    “Marriage is a serious step,” Reverend Denning intoned as he brushed off his black frock coat.
    “It is forever,” grumbled Shelton.
    “For a lifetime,” added Lambert.
    “I reckon I ken that weel enough,” Ballard snappedas he lifted the heavy brass knocker on the Sher-woods’ front door.
    Agnes opened the door, greeted Reverend Denning, and led them all into the parlor. Molly served a light refreshment as Agnes left to fetch the rest of the Sherwoods. Ballard grimaced when his family cornered him by the window overlooking the side garden. He wished they would just quietly accept the arrangement as they had said they would, for he had a qualm or two of his