The Bride Says No by Maxwell Cathy

Author:Maxwell Cathy
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780062219251
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2013-12-31T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Blake knew she had been kissing Ruary.

For a second, panic threatened to overwhelm Tara, but then pride took over. Pride in the man she loved.

Years ago she had denied Ruary. She would not do so any longer. She would not feel embarrassment or shame.

Only moments ago, she’d been so absorbed with finally being able to hold Ruary and be held by him that she had not registered they’d not been alone. She’d even lost track of time.

Now she found herself less than ten feet away from the man who would be her husband, and she knew she looked as if there had been intimacies, but she didn’t care.

She loved Ruary. He was important to her. Their passionate meeting in the stall had served to convince her that she’d been right to run away. No other man had ever kissed her so fully or completely, and no other man ever would.

In truth, she’d been willing to offer all she had to him. Right there on the floor of the stall in the hay. Her desire, her need for him was that strong, and his response to her kisses had proven to her that he still cared. He would always care.

But Ruary had been the one to refuse to consummate their love. He had explained that he had to respect his betrothal to Jane. He must. At least until he and Tara had made a decision about their future. But first, he wanted to speak to Jane.

And his words, full of honor, had made Tara admire him all the more . . . especially when, for all his fine protestations, he’d not been able to resist kissing her again. And again.

With each kiss came hope. A love like theirs could not be denied.

A cold hardness came to Blake’s eye as his gaze rested on her lips. They were still swollen from Ruary’s kisses, and for a moment she had doubt. Blake was not a man to insult.

She braced herself for a confrontation, certain Ruary would step forward. He’d come up to stand beside her.

Blake looked from one to the other. “What was going on in the stall?” he asked.

Ruary answered, “The horse in that stall threw a shoe. Lady Tara could not go riding until it was replaced.”

That was true . . . although Tara had hoped for a more impassioned response from Ruary.

“I would imagine a farrier’s duties beneath you, horse master,” Blake said, his tone low, dangerous.

A tight muscle worked in Ruary’s jaw. Tara held her breath.

“We don’t stand on much ceremony here,” Ruary answered. “The horse needed the shoe tacked on, and I was here to do it.”

“The earl is fortunate to have your services,” Blake responded, but there was an undercurrent of meaning in his words.

Ruary squared his shoulders, and suddenly Tara feared this confrontation. Too much was at stake. What if Blake went to her father? Ruary could be hurt, and Aileen’s comment about the horse master needing a way to earn his living echoed in Tara’s mind.

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