Creighton Manor Read Online Free PDF

at her, still fuming over the whole situation. He had not planned on kissing her. Hell and damnation! The woman didn’t play with a full deck. His gaze touched her angelic features and damn if his heart didn’t quicken. Even in the ridiculous dress, which was sizes too big for her, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He wanted nothing more than to brush his lips against hers, but his bruised pride got in the way. He leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. He thought he witnessed a brief moment of regret when he looked into her eyes. Could it be she wanted him to kiss her?   He didn’t have a chance to think further about his observation. Ellery brushed him aside and gripped Gillian’s shoulders before he leaned down and kissed her himself.
    “There,” Ellery said as he released Gillian. The kiss rendered her speechless as she blinked in surprise. Ellery turned to face Zachary. “That is how you kiss a wife, dear boy. I absolutely assure you, if you give little pecks on the cheek, she’ll be looking for another lover.”
    To everyone’s surprise, Zachary hauled off and punched Ellery in the jaw, sending him flying back into the captain.
    “Hold on, boy.” Captain Pike righted him quick enough. Ellery stood there rubbing his chin even as a slight grin threatened to show itself.
    Zachary’s eyes narrowed as he seethed between clenched teeth. “If you ever kiss my wife again, I’ll . . . ”  He didn’t finish. What in the world had gotten into him? He just punched his best friend and for what? For a woman he didn’t even know.
    “I see how it is.”   Ellery nodded.
    “Just apologize to my … her.” Zachary pointed to Gillian.
    “Sure .” Ellery held a mischievous gleam in his eye. He looked at Gillian and took her hand. “I am truly sorry if I have offended you. That was not my intent.”
    Gillian smiled. “I believe you’re a flirt, but harmless enough.”
    “Ouch. Harmless, hmm. I will have to rectify your opinion of me.” He started to raise Gillian’s hand to his lips, but Zachary stopped him by putting himself between them.
    “She accepts your apology.”   Zachary glowered, challenging Ellery to say or do more.
    Ellery broke the gaze with a shrug. “Well, I do believe we have docked. I, for one, need to fetch my bags,” he announced and made his exit.

     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
    “I’m married,” Gillian mumbled and shook her head. She wished Ellery hadn’t run off so fast. He had a better disposition than her husband. She’d much rather share his company.
    Josephine walked over to Gillian and patted her hand. She whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry honey, he is as gentle as a lamb .”
    Gillian wondered how this woman knew this about Zachary. So far in the last hour, he had been nothing but violent. He threw knives at people and he punched them in the face, only God knew what other horrible things he was capable of doing. You’re married to him. She would have to keep reminding herself to believe it.
    Cyrus took his wife by the arm. “Come on Josephine. Let the newlyweds be alone.”   Gillian noticed Zachary tense at the word newlywed. Well, she didn’t like the reference either .
    With the wedding party gone, Gillian felt a panic attack take seed. She clutched her chest and gasped for air. Ellery said they were docked, so they would be leaving the riverboat. She didn’t want to leave. If she were to go back to her time, wouldn’t she need to be here on the Ida Belle to do that? She suddenly had an idea. She ran over to the side of the bed and stretched out on the floor. This is how she arrived. Perhaps this was how she’d leave. She waited. “Damn, nothing,” she whispered.
    Zachary looked down at her with a definite frown penetrating his features. “What are you doing?” 
    She knew he must think she was off her rocker, but she had to try, didn’t she? She couldn’t leave with this man, not knowing if she could somehow go back to where she