Free Merline Lovelace by Untamed Page B

been orchestrating a campaign of his own while she was laying out hers. They were like Wellington and Napoleon, each jockeying for position on the battlefield. He might wear the uniform, she thought as he bent his head and blocked the moon’s wash, but she intended to leave this field the victor.
     
    Inside the house, Louise Morgan drew her gaze from the pattern book Urice had pulled from the cupboard and glanced through the parlor window. The wavy glass threw back only distorted shadows, yet there was no mistaking the tall figure of her son or the glint of moonlight in Lady Barbara’s gleaming hair.
    As Louise watched Zach draw the woman into his arms, a primal instinct stirred deep in her belly. In the same manner as a wolf sniffing the air, she sensed danger.
    Unbidden, the legend that had haunted her for most of her life leaped into her mind. She’d lived with the curse of the blue-eyed maiden for as long as she could remember.
    Did Lady Barbara bear the same curse?
    Her eyes weren’t a deep indigo, as Louise’s were. More a shimmering turquoise, like the waters that lapped the shores along the Gulf of Mexico. Yet Louise couldn’t help but wonder whether this English beauty would bring disaster to those who loved her, as had the blue-eyed maiden of legend.
    With a little shiver of unease, she turned away from the window.

7
    B arbara had been woefully unprepared the first time the lieutenant kissed her. This time she intended to control matters.
    Her palms rested on his chest. Her head tipped to a better angle. Her mouth moved seductively under his. She’d long ago mastered the art of heating a man’s blood to near fever pitch with little more than a kiss. It required style, not vulgar grunts and gasps. A sensual promise of more to come, redeemable at an unspecified future date.
    So it was with some surprise Barbara felt a sudden heat race through her veins. The rush brought with it the overpowering urge to press her breasts and belly against the lieutenant’s powerful frame. She leaned closer, intending only a little more contact, but he took instant advantage of her nearness. Widening his stance, he tightened the arm he’d slipped around her waist and deepened the kiss.
    She was crushed against him. The woman in her thrilled to his strength and the play of his muscles under her fingertips even as the seductress experienced a frisson of alarm. The heat between them flared too fast, too intense. Reluctantly, she moved to douse the sparks before they fully ignited.
    Drawing her head back, she broke the kiss. Her senses screamed an instant protest. With some effort, Barbara ignored her hammering heart and lifted her gaze to the lieutenant’s.
    He looked thoroughly bemused. Grateful she wasn’t the only one so affected, she struggled to find her voice.
    “I hope…I hope that is adequate recompense for any and all debts owed you, because it is all I intend to pay.”
    “Then it will have to suffice.”
    The very real regret in his reply acted as a balm to her agitated senses. She hadn’t lost her touch. Reassured, she eased out of his arms and permitted herself only a small shiver of delight when he rearranged the drape of her shawl over her bare shoulders.
    “Shall we continue our walk down to the river?”
    “In a moment.”
    Zach wasn’t sure he could stand upright, much less trek down to the river. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had tied him in so many knots.
    “Why don’t you tell me about your brother first. Why was he imprisoned?”
    “It’s rather complicated. And difficult to explain to a man schooled in the law.”
    The touch of bitterness in her voice suggested she had lost faith in the courts. Zach wasn’t surprised. Her brother had been convicted, after all.
    “Just tell me what you will.”
    She turned away and took a moment to gather her thoughts. When she faced him again, Zach sensed she was choosing her words with care.
    “Harry has something of a reckless nature, but