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It began with a —but clearly skilled, because in seconds and virtually without her realising, the kiss grew deeper and thened into a crushing embrace He worked so subtly and quickly, in fact, that Delilah felt like one caught in a treacherous undertohich was tugging her gently but inexorably towards the open sea of destruction
Just as it was dawning on her to disentangle herself, Lord Berne dreay and apologised Then he pro himself helpless, lost, confused, bewitched, overcome
He did not, however, declare himself in the iven concerning rings or parsons or a coiddy, only teetered on the brink of being swept off her feet Then she regained her balance and pushed him away
His eyes glistening with tears, he begged her to take pity on him He worshipped her Just one more chaste kiss—that was all he wanted He took both her hands and kissed the fingers, then the pal her hands, and—apparently too distracted to realise what he was doing—began pulling her down to him
Though Delilah was not a fragile young miss, she was hardly a match for a six foot, twelve stone male in excellent physical condition She tried to pull free, but his grip was relentless He was deaf to her protests, being utterly absorbed in his all-consuer nor pistol hich to restore him to full consciousness
She would have to kick hih, despite her apprehension, she rather wished she didn’t have to Still, Papa had ordered her not to be seduced, and sheravished in a field, like some unfortunate dairy maid She closed her eyes, steeled herself, and was just raising her foot froround when she heard what sounded like thunder
She opened her eyes again and looked towards the sound Lord Berne, surprised, looked too, and released her hands abruptly when he sahat it was
Though his was not a violent nature, the spectacle which don into a towering rage, and an impulse seized him to trample his childhood friend into a bloody pulp
Fortunately, Jack’s better nature reasserted itself Masking his fury, he coldly informed Lord Berne that Mr Desmond’s horse anted
“You’d better go at once,” said Jack, “because you’re wanted at Wee cao,” he lied, “and I’ve been looking everywhere for you”
Though Lord Berne’s ency in this latest de the Devil’s horse while sihter was a tad excessive Besides, with Jack by, there was nothinghis frustration, Lord Berne consoled hi his leave
Jack now turned his own gaze to that dazzling object “Where’s your groom?” he demanded
“I haven’t the slightest idea,” Delilah answered with great nonchalance “Probably severalup his accounts Not that it is any concern of yours, sir,” she added haughtily, though two spots of colour blazed in her cheeks
“If you ride with Tony unescorted the matter will be everyone’s concern, Miss Desmond”
“I am still unescorted, as you put it,” she returned “If you have so ossip, you would be better e Peters” She marched towards her horse, which was tethered to a nearby bush
Jack quickly dismounted and followed
“Since I am obviously not a lady, I can mount without assistance,” she told him as he came up beside her
Mr Langdon lost his temper “Damn it all!” he snapped “I’m very sorry I interrupted your interlude, Miss Desnation for later I only came because we have a problem That is, you have a probleley like a lunatic and telling lies toyour affairs” So saying, and oblivious to her sputter of outrage, he flung her none too gently into her saddle
A stunned Delilah gazed for a moment speechlessly down upon the unkedon
“What probleasp out
“I saw Atkins just now,” said Jack, glaring at her right boot “His hands were all blistered and dirty Then your great aunt told arden I think Atkins has got hold of the ht you’d wish to know I should have told your father instead,” he gru boy”
He stomped back to his own beast and mounted
Delilah drew up beside hi all other emotions “How could he possibly have found out? And ould he be at the house again if he’s already got them?”