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.It was anact of pure folly, for the one she followed had paused furtherahead in the shadows.Christopher's head came up as he heard the rattling hooves of anapproaching horseman.He had been aware for some time thatsomeone was behind him and decided the game had gone farenough.Whirling the black stallion about, he paralleled the roadfor a ways.He knew of a special place where he could properlygreet the fellow.Erienne guided the mare carefully up the slope from the stream,then urged it in a fast canter back to the road.She had lost sightof the dark rider, and the thought that he might have takenanother direction make her push the steed even harder.She waspassing a small embankment crowned with low trees whensuddenly a black shape flew out at her from the brush.A screamwas jolted from her as a hard body slammed into hers, and shewas swept from the saddle.Christopher realized his mistake on contact, for the one hecarried with him was much too light and soft to be anything but awoman.He twisted in midair, taking the impact of the fall uponhimself to save the frailer body.At the same time an angrywhinny pierced the night air as the reins were jerked fromErienne's hand and the bit tore into the horse's mouth.Christopher had barely come to a halt in the dust of the roadwhen he looked up to see the thrashing forefeet of the rearingmare.Recognition jolted through him at sight of the whitestockings, and he knew at once who his unwilling guest was.Thinking the steed was bent upon some distraught vengeance, hethrew himself across the twisting she-cat he held.The spritelymount leaped over them in a graceful arch, and in a rattle ofhooves was gone, racing back in the direction she had come.Christopher's attention was brought back abruptly to the littlewild thing he had caught.In a frenzied effort to gain her release,she clawed his face with raking nails and sought to tear the hairfrom his head with grasping fists.He was hard pressed to defendhimself until he caught the flailing arms firmly in his grasp andpressed them down, using his greater weight to subdue the LadySaxton.Erienne was trapped, held firmly in the middle of the dusty road.Her outraged struggles had loosened her hair and disarranged herclothes to the point that her modesty was savaged.Her coat hadcome open in the scuffle, and their shirts were twisted awry,leaving her bosom bare against a hard chest.The meager pair ofbreeches made her increasingly aware of the growing pressureagainst her loins.She was pinned almost face to face with hercaptor, and even though the visage was shadowed, she couldhardly miss the fact of his identity or the half-leering grin thattaunted her. Christopher! You beast! Let me go! Angrily she struggled butcould not influence him with her prowess.His teeth gleamed in the dark as his grin widened. Nay, madam.Not until you vow to control your passion.I fear before too long Iwould be somewhat frayed by your zealous attention. I shall turn that statement back to you, sir! she retorted.He responded with an exaggerated sigh of disappointment. Iwas rather enjoying the moment. So I noticed! she quipped before she thought, then bit her lip,hoping he might mistake her meaning.He didn't.He was most aware of the effect her meagerly cladbody had on him, and he replied with laughter in his voice. Though you may choose to fault my passions, madam, they'requite honestly aroused. Aye! she agreed jeeringly. By every twitching skirt thatsaunters by! I swear, 'tis not a skirt that attracts me now. Holding her wristsclasped in one hand, he moved his hand down along her flankand replied in a thoughtful tone,  'Tis more like a pair of boy'sbreeches.What? Has my ambush yielded me a stable boy?Erienne's indignation found new fuel that he could so casuallyfondle her, as if he had a perfect right. Get off, you.you.ass!It was the most damaging insult she could think of at the moment. Get off me! An ass, you say? he mocked. Madam, may I point out thatasses are to be ridden, and at the moment you are bearing myweight.Now, I know women are made to bear usually theirhusbands or the seed they plant but I would not suggest thatyou have the shape or looks even approaching an ass.She ground her teeth in growing impatience at his wont to turnthe simplest comment into an exercise of his wit.She could notbear the bold feel of him against her another moment. Will youget off me?! Certainly, my sweet. He complied as if her every wish was hiscommand.Lifting her to her feet, he solicitously dusted herbackside. Enough! she cried.The breeches had lost much to old age anduse and seemed far too light a layer to protect her from thefamiliarity of his hand.He straightened, but his gaze did not raise to meet hers [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]