Caprice Read Online Free PDF Page A

with me. Every time
    they rushed her to the hospital, all tense and worried over it, because
    I was her first, they didn't know quite what to expect, all those sorts
    of things. When she finally went into real labour, they calmly took
    their time getting ready and leaving—too much suspense, I guess,
    during the first four times, and they had quite exhausted all their
    anxiety. I was born five blocks from the hospital. My father likes to
    say that I've been as difficult to predict ever since.'
    'A difficult legacy to live with, I should think,' he murmured, low as
    the lapping of the dark waters.
    It brought her head around with an almost painful snap of the neck.
    He was brooding, eyes on the end of the pier, which was right at his
    feet. She let her eyes travel down the length of his lean, elegant body,
    to his sleek, black shoes. They were planted somewhat apart from
    each other, unconsciously proud. A shiver ran delicately down her
    exposed nape to her spine. She couldn't think when she had ever
    heard anyone react in such a way to the explanation of why her
    parents had named her Caprice. Everyone always laughed.
    She heard herself say gently, 'I seem to have a talent for it.'
    His downbent head turned sideways as he shot a glance at her. After
    a moment, he stirred and asked, 'And what are you thinking as you
    stand here and stare into murky lakewater? I can assure you, at night
    it is very cold.'
    She replied lightly, as she lifted a slim hand to ineffectually tuck
    back some of the wisps that had escaped from her French braid, 'I
    was wondering what's at the other end, of course. Doesn't everyone?'
    He replied, with some dryness, 'As I haven't met half the people who
    have been here at one time or other, I have no idea. I usually steer
    clear of the lodge on weekends.' A slight pause, as she digested that.
    She wondered, then, why he had come up from New York on this
    particular weekend. Perhaps he had really done it on a whim, that
    capriciousness of fate he'd joked about. She was pulled out of her idle
    reverie as he turned to her, businesslike, and suggested, 'So why don't
    we find out what's at the other end?'
    She looked and felt startled as she blinked back at him. 'Do you
    mean—right now?' She sent her gaze back over the waters, and then
    said, somewhat doubtfully, 'Would we be able to see it, in night
    time?'
    'Who knows?' he replied, with a grin. 'Care to give it a try?'
    She regarded him smilingly, fully aware of the light which left part of
    her face for his interested inspection. The visible violet eye sparkled
    with amusement. 'I forgot,' she accused. 'You already know what's on
    the other side.'
    His quiet laughter sounded then. 'Yes, but you don't.'
    'Well, then, what are we waiting for?'
    But they had to choose a boat. He turned and frowned thoughtfully at
    the collection tied at the pier. When he seemed to hesitate close by a
    motor boat, she pleaded, 'Oh, please. No motors. It would ruin
    everything.'
    He raised his black eyebrows. 'Lady, that is a big lake.' -^
    'Well,' she said, wavering. Then she continued bravely, 'I'll row.'
    This time his laughter wasn't quiet at all, but a shout which carried
    over the water. He then walked over to stand by one boat, as she
    carefully came his way. 'Well, then, this will have to be it.'
    'I should get rid of my glass,' she said, eyeing it.
    'Oh, no, you don't,' he told her, with grim amusement. 'If you walk
    over that lawn, you may never come back again alone. I've seen how
    Jeffrey and his friends act around you. Come here, you can bring it
    with you.'
    She took the last two steps to reach his side, and as he contemplated
    the rowing boat, and then her fragile, high-heeled sandals, he turned
    to take her firmly under the elbows. 'Stiffen your arms,' he warned,
    and she did so. Then he swung her into the boat, only letting go as he
    made sure she had her balance and a bracing hold of the side. Then
    he divested himself of his suit jacket, leaving it folded