Free Savage Destiny (The Hearts of Liberty Series, Book 1) by Phoebe Conn Page B

the dock, upon sighting her the mother ducks led their broods in close and, expecting breakfast, quacked eagerly. Equally eager for something to do, Melissa dashed back to the kitchen for bread, and met Hunter on her second trip to the dock. Too frightened to think clearly, she clutched the stale loaf Polly had just given her as though she were as desperately hungry as the ducks.
    "I was just going to feed the ducks," she told him.
    Melissa was wearing the same attractive blue dress she had worn the day he had arrived, and Hunter again thought her a beauty, but she was blushing so deeply he could not help but laugh. "I'm taking my things to the bateau" he announced, "so we can walk there together." He then leaned down to whisper, "You needn't look guilty. Love is no cause for shame."
    Melissa had known she would have to speak with him that morning, but she had hoped there would be others present to keep their conversation from taking such an intimate turn. To her way of thinking, there was an enormous difference between the cherished beauty of love and the lustful desire that had led her astray, but she was not about to lecture Hunter on her views. She just wanted him gone.
    "I'm not ashamed," she denied bravely. "It's just difficult to see you and not dwell on how soon you'll be gone."
    "Then you will miss me?"
    Melissa dared not look up at him, when she knew his dark eyes would be radiant with a teasing light. "Yes, I'll miss you terribly," she promised, although the lie pained her deeply. "Won't you miss me?"
    They had reached the dock, and Melissa began tearing off hunks of bread and tossing them out to the ducks, who dove to catch them. Believing the pieces to be too large, Hunter took the loaf from her hands and broke off a tiny bit. "The ducklings need smaller bites," he explained as he threw one out into the river.
    "Yes, of course. How silly of me." Melissa let him keep the bread and, moving closer to the edge of the dock, pretended to look for fish. In another hour he'll be gone, she told herself. Surely she could convince everyone his visit had left her unchanged for that long. She sent a sidelong glance Hunter's way, and found him studying her with the knowing gaze she feared might haunt her for the rest of her days.
    "Stop it!" she hissed.
    "Stop what?"
    "Stop looking at me like that."
    "Like what?"
    He was caressing her body with a heated glance she could actually feel and, although she was fully clothed, he made her feel naked. A fresh blush filled her cheeks. "As though I were some delicious morsel you couldn't wait to eat."
    Hunter licked his lips, and it was a far more suggestive gesture than she had ever shown him. Mortified by such blatant disrespect, a painful lump formed in her throat. Clearly the Indian cared nothing for her feelings, and why would he, when she had behaved like a wanton? She turned her back on him and bit her lip to force away the monsoon of tears that threatened to drown her in remorse. Her life was ruined, and the man who had caused her disgrace was laughing at her! Could there be any worse punishment?
    Wondering what had become of the enchanting belle he had admired, Hunter tossed the last of the bread to the ducks and then walked up behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against him. She was wearing a floral scent that teased his senses, and he regretted having to leave her. Believing his departure was troubling her, too, he offered the only reassurance he could.
    "I'll come back as soon as I'm able. Think of that day rather than this, and don't be sad."
    Responding to his affectionate hug without thinking, Melissa placed her hands over his, but she would anticipate his return with dread rather than longing. She closed her eyes, and surrounded by his warmth, wished he were any man other than the one he was. If only he were a British officer, or a planter's son, or a frontiersman with a European heritage. If only he had been someone she could have been