Compromised Hearts Read Online Free PDF

immodest but judicious wrapping of her legs in her skirts had saved her from chafing but did little to cushion the jolts she suffered as she tried to learn the rhythm of her mount.
    Cloud glanced at Emily and hid a grin. Shehad no aptitude for riding. He doubted that she would gain much skill with time and practice either. Nevertheless, he knew she would do her utmost to keep up with him.
    Fortunately, the little boy had a natural skill. Even more important, he was obedient, responding to Cloud’s commands immediately. Since it looked as if he would have the boy with him for the duration of the journey, that was a blessing.
    “We’ll stop for the night soon,” he said, glancing at the sunset.
    Emily could not fully repress her sigh of relief. She prayed that there were carriages in Lockridge. After this journey, she hoped never to have to ride a horse again, even if it meant she had to walk for miles.
    Nevertheless, she listened closely a short while later when Cloud instructed her in the care of her mount. That much she could do without difficulty.
    After the animals were seen to, Cloud urged her to take advantage of a nearby creek. She set off at once, feeling no qualms about leaving the preparation of the meal in his hands. As she took the short walk to the creek she mused a little bitterly that he could probably do that better than she as well.
    Taking advantage of the thick growth of bushes near the water, she shed her clothes. The water was brisk but she didn’t mind. Simply washing away the sweat and dust eased her discomfort. The aches she suffered lost a great deal of their importance.
    It was not until she donned her underthings, still damp from the rinsing she had given them, that she wondered if cleaning up had been a mistake. Smelling a little rank might have deterred Cloud Ryder. She grimaced as she shook that thought aside and finished dressing. The man was not about to be deterred by such a weak defense.
    She knew it would be better not to think about what was to come. That however, was far easier said than done. She started back towards the camp and a fate she still faintly hoped could be avoided.
    One look at Cloud’s face told her that she did not have even a faint hope. Resolutely, she gave most of her attention to Thornton. It did not bother her at all that Cloud knew that she was deliberately ignoring him.
    She resisted the urge to keep Thornton awake. She would not use the boy as a pawn. She tucked him into his blanket shortly after the meal, then told him a short story.
    “Is the man taking us home?” Thornton asked sleepily.
    “Yes, dear. He’s also going to the San Luis Valley. He will take us to Harper.”
    “You ain’t put your blanket next to me.”
    “No.” She refused to blush. “I will sleep next to Mr. Ryder until we reach the valley. I won’t be far away. Go to sleep, love.”
    She was glad of Thornton’s youth, for it saved her from awkward questions. However, she was not glad of the speed with which the boy fell asleep. Emily busied herselfwith washing Thornton’s clothes and spreading them out to dry; then she cleared away the remains of the meal. She was just about to start on some mending when a strong arm caught her around the waist.
    “I suppose this is an improvement over being dragged off by one’s hair,” she said tartly, hiding her nervousness as he carried her toward the bed of blankets.
    “Wouldn’t treat that glorious hair so harshly.”
    Emily gave a soft cry when he tossed her onto the blanket, but the ground was surprisingly soft. Peeking beneath the thin blanket, she found a layer of furs. When she looked back at Cloud, she forgot her caustic remark about a man and his comforts, for he had shed all but his trousers.
    His chest was broad, smoothly muscular, and dark. The only hair she could see started as a thin line at his navel then disappeared beneath his belt. She blushed and hastily avoided his eyes. She gave a nervous start when he knelt by her and