Caprice Read Online Free PDF Page B

shoulders
    still.
    He said, rather oddly, 'I don't think there's anywhere we could pull to
    shore. It's too muddy, with tangled weeds. You'd never make it in
    those shoes, otherwise I do believe I'd be tempted.'
    She was appalled at the seriousness with which he had taken that
    wistful note, and the seriousness with which she had meant it. She
    shook loose of the strange feeling that had gripped her, and laughed
    carelessly as though she'd meant it as a joke the whole time. 'Well,
    then, if we must go back, we must. Besides, I've finished my wine.'
    A pause. Then he picked up rowing again. 'Then by all means,' he
    responded, lightly teasing. 'That clinches it. But which is it, to return
    the glass or refill it?'
    'I haven't decided yet,' she replied composedly.
    They glided to the pier smoothly, and Pierce expertly steered the boat
    between the two where it had been tied before, giving one last gentle
    backward pull on the oars to send the flattened end towards the rope.
    She reached it easily, looked up to the pier, and then down,
    doubtfully, to her high-heeled sandals. She said hesitantly, 'Ah, I
    don't think I'll be able to climb out in these shoes.'
    'Hold on,' he said, his voice quiet under the noise of the nearby party.
    He stood, balancing easily, and then told her, 'Slide over to the side.
    There you go. Now, I'll step out, and then help you, all right?'
    'All right.' He lightly passed her, a lean black- clad figure, his hand
    going to her shoulder to steady himself. She held quite still. Then he
    heaved himself up, and squatted to fasten the rope more securely. He
    turned, still bent.
    'All set, pretty fairy?' he asked, extending a hand to her. She removed
    his jacket, and handed that to him first.
    'I'd never forgive myself if that ended in the water,' she told him
    wryly, as he took it and laid it aside. His hand was offered again, and
    she had to laugh as she laid the wine glass in his palm. She watched
    as he set it on the protective cloth of his jacket, and then gave him
    both her free hands when he turned to her for the third and final time.
    She saw him smile. With his help, she stood in the boat and
    attempted the large step to the pier. Her heel slipped on the smooth
    wood, catching in the crack, and one of his arms snaked around her
    waist to lift her bodily the rest of the way.
    Heartbeat, one, two, strong and steady, beating against her breast,
    against his shirt. The two of them, utterly still for a moment, his arm
    still hard, tight about her, her hands to his shoulders for balance, his
    head bent to her while her face was upturned, looking at him
    searchingly. Looking for what? She didn't know, but she had a
    sudden, powerful impression that it was very important, if she could
    only understand. Vital, one might say, like his body warmth under
    the white shirt, his light breathing, that lean body flush with hers. She
    felt flustered, suddenly too warm, an uncomfortable, uncharacteristic
    reaction, and she gently pulled away from him, looking anywhere but
    his face. His hand lingered for a moment at the back of her waist, and
    then fell away.
    She turned, as if at random, and stared back over the dark lake. 'I
    enjoyed it,' she said quickly, her hands clasped in front of her. Then
    she turned to stare to shore, and she made a sudden bid for escape
    from this quiet, unknown man, and her unknown, stirred emotions.
    'Thank you.'
    He followed just behind. 'You're quite welcome. My pleasure.'
    And then she knew a strange and futile anger, one that brightened her
    eyes into amethyst stones and brought a light flush to her
    cheekbones, for she saw their little excursion for what it really was.
    There had been nothing but two people enjoying a brief respite from
    the social chatter of a light-hearted party, strangers to each other and
    rather indifferent. Nothing but that, and her own foolishness. Her
    eyes went over him as they came to brighter light. A youngish man
    still, perhaps thirty years of age, already