Gypsy Trail by West Nicole Leigh

Author:West, Nicole Leigh [West, Nicole Leigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-78279-690-9
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing
Published: 2014-11-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The Gatekeeper in the Guise of a God

Preston Myers sauntered into the hallway, blond hair styled back from his face in thick, straight strands to his collar, dimples appearing when he smiled and a chin pointed high in the air above an impossibly smooth, blemish free neck. Edward walked beside him. Together they looked like a well-dressed giraffe and a fat wart hog, straight from one of the cartoons she’d so recently discovered on Edward’s plasma TV. Claudia clenched her stomach to stop the gurgling laughter.

The giraffe’s lean limbs were draped in an elegant black suit and a black and gold watch peeped out from under the sleeve of his jacket. The scent of oranges and cinnamon followed him as he strode towards Grace.

“Darling Preston, how lovely to see you. Did you have a good journey?” Grace hugged him and kissed both of his cheeks as he bent down to her.

“Yes, thank you, Grace. You look absolutely stunning, as always. Quite a property you have here.” Preston clasped his hands together behind his back and turned in a circle, admiring the grand staircase. “Been in the family for three generations, you say?”

“Yes, a family heirloom, so to speak.”

“Lovely, I am most impressed.” The giraffe’s eyes came to rest on Claudia. “And this, I take it, is the lovely Claudia, your second cousin.”

“It is. Claudia, this is Preston, our much adored family friend.” Grace presented Preston to Claudia with an elegant sweep of her arm.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Claudia said, stepping forward with her hand outstretched.

He took her hand and stared into her eyes, lowering his chin to do so. His eyes were the colour of frost on the lake, the lightest of blues, startling in their iridescence, especially when they settled on her lips for a few uncomfortable seconds. He lowered his eyes only to kiss the back of her hand, grazing his lips over her middle knuckle.

“Enchanted, Claudia. Please accept my apologies for your misfortune. One as young as you should not be left alone in the world. You’re very lucky to have such generous, caring relatives as the Spencers.”

“Yes. Thank you for your kind words.” Involuntarily, she stepped back. There was something familiar, predatory even, in his intense stare. But, strangely, as soon as he looked away, she wanted him to look back at her.

“You must be tired, Preston, I’ll show you to your room so you can freshen up. Tea will be served in two hours.” Grace put her hand on Preston’s elbow and steered him towards the guest wing.

As Grace led him to the second floor, he turned back, his body following his head at a slow, languid pace. He stared into Claudia’s eyes once again. “I look forward to seeing you at tea, Claudia.” His chiselled cheekbones and elegant, aquiline nose looked too pretty under the impact of his full, beaming grin, and the white teeth beneath the full lips almost blinded her with their brightness.

Ridiculous. He looks exactly like Prince Charming.

Claudia smiled and turned away, but not before she recognised the light that glimmered in the icy blue depths.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.