Rapture's Betrayal by McCarthy Candace

Author:McCarthy, Candace [McCarthy, Candace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2013-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Her hand shook as she approached the stranger, and raised the rock high to bring it against his head.

He appeared to be unaware of her presence, so intent was he on his study of the people inside the house. Suddenly, he tensed. Kirsten realized that he must have heard the soft rustling of her skirts as she moved closer.

Her heart pounded as she wondered what to do. Run? Scream for assistance?

She then thought that she must have been mistaken, for he went back to his vigil. Seconds later she knew she was wrong. He spun, and his image blurred as he jerked back from her attack. The rock in her hand wavered in the air and dropped to the ground as her prisoner escaped.

She picked up the rock and rose in time to see him run toward the back lawn and disappear beyond the formal flower garden.

Undaunted by the skirts of her gown, Kirsten followed him until she came to where he appeared to have vanished. She paused at a hedge of tall evergreens, wondering if he was hiding only inches away, behind the thick dark needles of the shrubs.

She leaned closer, listening with her breath held, her body trembling. She was afraid to move a muscle for fear of discovery. She wanted to be the one to effect a surprise.

Kirsten’s blood chilled. She’d heard a faint sound. The wind? she wondered. The soft noise made from a man’s breathing?

She released her breath slowly and drew in another cautiously. Gripping her rock, she edged closer, one step at a time, to the end of the shrubs. Each rustle of her skirt seemed loud in the night’s silence. It was attack now or lose the advantage in this deadly game. Kirsten burst out from her hiding place and stepped around the evergreens, the rock raised to strike.

He was there, right where she’d thought. The man gasped and reacted instinctively. He caught her hand seconds before the rock made bruising contact with his shoulder. He held fast to her wrist, and they struggled briefly as Kirsten fought to pull free. A minute later she pretended to give up, but really was gathering her wits for renewed attack.

Their breaths rasped loudly in the darkness. It was a dangerous moment. They were out in the open, their struggles having brought them from the man’s place of hiding.

Kirsten’s thoughts raced as she pondered what to do next.

“Good God!” It was the voice she’d once held dear.

Her head jerked up with shock. “Richard?” Her mouth gaped as she found herself staring into familiar brown eyes. “Dear Lord in heaven, Richard!”

“Kirsten!” he whispered.

“What are you doing here?” she gasped. “This is a private party . . . a Patriot party.” Her face darkened. “You were spying, you traitor! On the general!”

Richard grabbed her arm. “Softer, love. We don’t want to be noticed.” He glanced about nervously. “At least I don’t.” He drew her behind the bushes and settled her before him, gently holding her by the wrists.

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