A Winter's Knight: A Regency Romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

Phoebe,” she said, advancing toward him with a smile.
    “I thought I told you to call me Tony,” he returned. He placed the cue stick on the table.
    Phoebe held out both arms to him, forgetting until the last moment that this was the real Captain Sterling, not her dream knight. But Tony, also in a daze, captured one hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss it. The scent of flowers and honey swirled around him.
    “Tony,” she said, a little breathlessly. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
    “I was called back to sign some more papers. I have been staying with Mr Spottiswood. He invited me to accompany him and his family to tonight’s entertainment.”
    “So why are you hiding in the library?”
    Tony smiled wryly. “I find dancing does not hold the appeal it used to.”
    “Oh,” Phoebe said, unconsciously glancing down at his feet. Seeing a false leg where there had once been nothing, she frowned. “But you look perfect.” She finally noticed a cane leaning against the bookcase closest to the table. “Like new.”
    Tony hardly knew what to say to that, but Phoebe went on. “I’m terrified of dancing, as well. But I’ve never been able to do it, so I suppose I can’t miss it.”
    “Why not?”
    “My leg. I can’t keep the rhythm, and I feel everyone’s looking at me.”
    “They probably are, since you’re so lovely,” Tony said, honesty trumping propriety. Phoebe blushed, rose spreading over her fair skin. “You are very kind.”
    “I am not kind,” Tony returned. “The truth has nothing to do with kindness.”
    Still blushing, Phoebe glanced toward the billiards table. “Is there much challenge to playing solitaire?”
    “Not really. Would you like a game?”
    “Oh, it’s not the thing for ladies to play.”
    “I’ll teach you.” Tony ignored the proprieties, again.
    “Would you?” She looked at him, grinning, and he saw how her whole being lit up.
    “It’s easy. Here.” He picked up the cue stick again. “Just hold it like this,” and he demonstrated. “Now the goal is simply to hit your own—we’ll say the stripes are yours—with the cue ball so that they fall into a pocket. You have to get yours all in before I do. That’s the simplest way to play.” He handed her the cue with a smile.
    “Alright. That sounds easy enough.” She frowned in concentration, trying to decide which should be her target. Tony didn’t help her, but appeared quite content to watch her. “How about the purple striped one, by the corner?”
    “That’s the one I would have picked. But it will be a tricky shot. Now see…” Tony leaned over her to point out the obstacles. Phoebe felt every inch of the contact, and was suddenly breathless. “You’ll have to hit the cue on the opposite side, see?”
    “Yes, I think so.” She bent over to take the shot, holding the stick rather uncertainly.
    “Like this,” he said, leaning over her again, guiding her hands with his own and showing her exactly what to do. He then released her hands, but stayed where he was, virtually covering her body with his own. Phoebe caught her lip in concentration, then took the shot.
    The cue wobbled, but she managed to send the ball the right way, and it tapped the purple one with just enough force to send it teetering into the pocket. “I got it!” Phoebe exclaimed happily.
    “Well done.” Tony smiled behind her, straightening up and taking the cue from her. “Now it’s my turn.”
    He had already selected the shot he wanted, and lost no time directing the cue ball to bounce against the rail once and then tap first his chosen ball, then another one into two separate pockets.
    “Oh,” said Phoebe. “I’ll never be able to do that.” She gnawed her lip with consternation.
    “Stop that,” Tony said.
You’ll ruin your perfect mouth
. “All it takes is practice.”
    “Let me try again.” Phoebe reached for the cue stick. She turned to the table again, searching for a clear shot. “The blue one,