Harlot at the Homestead by Molly Ann Wishlade

Author:Molly Ann Wishlade [Wishlade, Molly Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Romance, Historical, Western, Historical Romance, Westerns, Erotic Romance Fiction
ISBN: 9780857156624
Amazon: B00JGORDKG
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
Published: 2014-04-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

As the drinks flowed, the wedding party got into full swing. The benches were cleared away and the posts with the kerosene lamps were moved to create a wide circle. A few of the male guests went into the house then reappeared with musical instruments which they set about tuning before launching into a lively Irish jig. The bride and groom took to the floor and the guests and families laughed and clapped as the handsome young couple whirled around and around in time to the music. Before long, they were joined by other couples and soon the whole circle was filled with drunken, boisterous movement and laughter.

Catherine moved away from the circle and into the shadows where she stood and gazed at the joy before her. It was so good to see such innocent happiness, such carefree enjoyment. It lifted her own spirits and made her feel buoyant, like driftwood bobbing along on the river in the warm sunshine, though she knew that at any moment a cloud could cover the sun or she could hit a whirlpool and be dragged into the swirling depths and buried forever. It was knowing this that made her pleasure all the sweeter—because it was fleeting, temporary and fragile.

“Will you dance?” Kenan’s breath was hot against her cheek, his hands firm as he squeezed her shoulders.

“I can think of something that I’d prefer to be doing.” She laughed, the cider making her bold and amorous.

“Well in that case”–he took her hand then pulled her after him—“you’d better follow me.”

She hurried along behind him, leaving the hoots and hollers of the wedding party safely ensconced within the circle of lights. As they moved away, it grew darker and cooler and she welcomed the refreshing night air as it soothed her hot cheeks and gently dried the fine sheen of perspiration that had gathered above her top lip. She hadn’t realized how warm it had been around all of those people but now it was obvious and she was glad to be away from them.

Kenan stopped when they rounded a corner and were out of the sight of the wedding party. When he had checked that they were alone, he took hold of her and pushed her backwards against the side of the house. The sun had warmed the wood throughout the summer day and the logs now gave up some of that heat to Catherine, their warmth penetrating the thin material of her gown. It made her think of how Kenan warmed her with his presence and his attentions and how she absorbed his offerings, unable to generate her own heat like a tree cut down in its prime.

“You are so beautiful.” Kenan took her chin gently between his thumb and forefinger.

The full moon sat directly above them and Catherine imagined that it was looking down on them, wondering what their next move would be. She gasped as Kenan started to unbutton her dress. He slid each button slowly, yet deftly, from its hole and she held her breath in anticipation.

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