Captain's Bride Read Online Free PDF

approve, Captain,” Glory called out
from the doorway. “I take it you like horses.”
    “As a matter of fact, I do.”
    Glory eyed him thoughtfully. He looked exceedingly
handsome in his snug-fitting breeches and billowy white linen
shirt. At her father’s urging—and for his sake alone, she told
herself—she was determined to make a fresh start with the captain
this morning. The fact that he liked horses at least gave them
something in common.
    She took the big gelding’s reins in a slim gloved
hand. “Thank you, Zeke,” she said, smiling warmly at the thickset
slave. “Looks as if you’re taking very good care of them.” The man
beamed with pride as she turned her attention to Nicholas. “Horses
are one of my passions in life,” she told him, patting the bay’s
neck. “I’ve loved them since I was a little girl. Father had me
riding almost before I could walk.”
    Glory smiled up at Nicholas, the first real smile
she’d graced him with since Julian had introduced them. Her eyes
sparkled and her cheeks bloomed, and Nicholas began to understand
why so many men had fallen prey to her charms.
    “Hannibal,” she continued, “the horse you’re riding,
is a direct descendant of the Godolphin Arabian. His sons have
raced and won at Plaquemine and Donaldsonville. I believe he could
have been a champion—he has the stamina and the speed—but Father
wanted him kept for breeding.”
    Nicholas arched a brow. “Your father said you were
more than a pretty face.”
    “ Did he?” This time she smiled mischievously,
and Nicholas felt his resolve begin to slip. “What else did he
say?”
    “He said you’d probably turn your husband into a
cowering mass of jelly. I believe those were his words.”
    Glory laughed aloud, a sparkling, crystalline sound
Nicholas found enchanting. Sunlight streamed through the open bam
door, lighting several tendrils of pale hair that had escaped from
the smart chignon at the back of her head. A dark green veiled
riding hat, which matched her habit, sat at a jaunty angle atop her
head. Tiny kidskin boots peeped from beneath the hem of her
skirt.
    “Sometimes Father gets a little carried away.”
    Her anger was gone today and though Nicholas knew he
should rekindle the flame, he simply hadn’t the heart. He was
entitled to a few hours of pleasure, he told himself. When the time
was right, he’d spark her anger again, keep her at bay. For now he
would indulge himself.
    “Since we seem to be making better progress this
morning than we did last night,” he said, “I propose we continue
our truce and enjoy the day.”
    “I believe that’s a splendid idea, Captain.” She
smiled again, caught up in the excitement of the ride, perhaps, or
the warmth of the sunshine after three days of rain.
    Once the black groom had led the horses out of the
bam, Nicholas lifted Glory into her sidesaddle, noting the way her
tiny waist fit neatly into his hands, and handed up her riding
crop. Hannibal, the stallion he would ride, pranced and pawed the
earth in anticipation.
    “Glory, chile!”
    Nicholas glanced up as the buxom Negro woman from the
house called to her mistress and waddled toward the barn carrying a
wicker basket in her plump hands.
    “I done made you and the cap’n some lunch. Cap’n need
to keep up his strength if’n he’s gonna ride with you.” The old
woman winked at Nicholas and grinned broadly.
    “Thank you, Plenty,” Glory said.
    Nicholas packed the lunch in a leather bag the big
Negro named Zeke found for him, tied it behind the saddle, and
mounted. Glory set her booted heel to the bay’s side and the horse
broke into a trot. Nicholas caught them easily, the big black
settling into a mile-eating gait.
    They rode the muddy lanes in silence, enjoying the
sun, the brisk morning air, and the smell of magnolias. Negro
slaves worked among the rows of newly planted cotton, weeding and
thinning, some of them singing softly as they worked.
    “Summerfield Manor has sixty-five