Author: admin

From the corner of her eye, she saw him straighten, as though coming to a decision. “Very well. I have business to attend to now, and you have to go fetch your mother. But…I’ll have the papers for you later.” Alessia couldn’t have been more surprised. She drew a blank for anything to say. “Is…

And she never wanted to. But the kiss. Lord, the kiss. The first time had been an accident, and could have been forgotten as a slip on both their parts. This one had been no accident. She’d seen it coming by the desire in his eyes and the aggressive stance of his body. And she’d…

He parted his lips and felt a shiver run through her body. He touched his tongue to her warm sleek skin, and a sigh escaped her lips, the heat puffing against his shoulder. His body tensed, nipples drawing tight, and the next instant her palm flattened against his chest. He’d never felt anything quite as…

A small child appeared in the crack that opened. “Yeah?” “Hello there. Is this Thomas Crane’s house?” “My pa cain’t get ’round just yet,” he said. “I know. That’s why I’m here. Is-is your mother here, please?” “Mama’s abed sick. If you got wash, you can take it to the Paulsons’. It’s down there a…

Alessia didn’t even know the woman’s name. She wouldn’t recognize her if she danced on her traveling case and sang “Camptown Races” at the top of her lungs. Alessia wrung her hands and racked her brain for a solution. “Claire, you’re positively white! Let me fetch Mrs. Trent to see to William, and I’ll help…

Gruver staggered to his feet and stood blinking. Soapsuds dripped from his face and clothing onto the soaked floor. “I-I beg your pardon, Mr. Halliday,” Penelope stammered. “The Hallidays have a dinner guest” Mrs. Pratt’s tone was scathing. “Your childish pranks are best saved for your own time and at the expense of your own…

Those were not impressions one had of a brother. She hadn’t even experienced those self-torturing and humiliating thoughts about Gaylen, and he’d convinced her to forfeit her virginity to him! She would have married him! That thought brought her up short. Had she loved him? Perhaps his flight had been the best thing. One day…

He finished his wine, savoring the last sip with a look of self-satisfaction. Milos, too, seemed to be waiting expectantly for Nicholas to reveal more, and, bolder than Alessia, he asked, “Well, who is this mystery woman who is coming?” Nicholas held Alessia’s gaze and replied to Milos’s question. “Claire’s mother.” Claire’s mother. Alessia’s heart…

“And you would discredit her for loving your brother?” “Not if William is really my brother’s child.” Milos worked his jaw and stood with his weight on one leg. He sliced the air with the edge of a palm, punctuating his next sentence. “Do you have reason to believe he’s not William’s child?” “I have…

“I certainly do understand, darling,” Elizabeth said. “Having two babies of my own, I remember all too well. Don’t give it a second thought. We’ll do it again, and I’ll see you Thursday of next week.” Relieved, Alessia gave her hand a grateful squeeze, gathered her crutches and hurried from the restaurant. She studied the…