Hannah Howell Read Online Free PDF Page A

swallow. “What about your sister?” she asked when he handed the bottle back.
    “I don't drink. Well, an occasional glass of sherry, that's all.” She watched a little enviously as Antonie had another long drink.
    “Ah, sí." Antonie tossed Oro a bottle of wine. “That is a ‘being a lady’ lesson."
    “One of the ones that didn't work?” Justin teased.
    “Juan never taught it. He said it was stupid. That lady can then be made very drunk very fast by a man and be a lady no more, eh? He said women should know drink and drinking, so that then they cannot fall into that trap."
    “God, that actually makes sense.” Justin took another drink. “Maybe we should creep in the back way."
    “I don't think so, Justin,” Pattie said. “Cole and Royal must be wondering where we are even now. Dinner will be nearly over anyway."
    “You're right, Pattie. We'll just walk in. Best way."
    “No. I will announce you.” A slow smile crossed Antonie's face as she thought of the perfect way to do that. “I, too, owe Royal.” She edged over to Tomás, who was beginning to look as if he knew what she was thinking. “I just need a little instruction."
    "Sí, querida, and you have come to a master,” Tomás drawled and then gave her a lengthy kiss.
    Emerging from the embrace a little breathless, Antonie mused, “That was not how he did it."
    “He gave you a kiss for a child. Tomás gives you a kiss for a woman.” He turned with her to look at Oro, who had made a mocking sound.
    “You can do better, amigo?" Antonie asked with a grin, partly prompted by the shock on Patricia's face.
    “Of course. Who do you think instructed Tomás?” He put his arm around Antonie and proceeded to demonstrate his skill.
    “Amateurs,” Justin drawled when Oro lifted his head and grinned at the increasingly warm Antonie.
    “Oho, the gringo challenges.” Tomás laughed and was clearly as amused as Antonie was over Patricia's gaping face.
    Moving next to Justin, Antonie leaned toward him and drawled, “Well, amigo?"
    Gently and clearly savoring every minute of it, Justin kissed her, then asked a little huskily, “Well?"
    “I think I'd best stop this lesson or I will fall off my horse.” Antonie grinned when the young men laughed and then she took a hearty drink, for she was feeling decidedly warm. “This kissing is thirsty business."
    “You're going to walk in and kiss Royal?” Patricia squeaked as she finally guessed Antonie's plan.
    "Sí. I owe him one and I always pay my debts,” she purred. “Come. If we move we will get there before the wine is gone."
    They increased their speed just a little and Justin made no complaint. Antonie guessed that he was eager to get home. At the ranch there would be a soft bed to ease his pain.
    Antonie kept an eye on Patricia, watching as the girl tried not to look shocked by the increasingly free behavior around her. Even Oro grew less quiet and gentlemanly as the wine flowed. He joined Tomás in entertaining the less worldly Justin with some decidedly ribald stories. That Patricia had somehow managed to remain unaware of this side of men was very evident. Antonie was rather glad that she had not been raised as a proper little lady. It looked to have a lot of drawbacks.
    She turned her thoughts to Royal Bancroft as they crested a rise and the ranch came into view. Except for jade green eyes and chestnut hair, she remembered little of him. She was curious to see if he recalled her at all.
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Three
    “Don't worry so, Royal. I'm sure there's a simple reason for their tardiness. We just couldn't keep holding dinner, however,” Marilyn said haughtily.
    Royal thought twenty minutes a paltry delay, but did not say so. “You're right, of course. Still, it'll soon be dark.” He tensed at the sound of a commotion in the front hall. “Ah, maybe they're here at last."
    He gaped as widely as his guests at the person who finally entered the dining room. That it was neither Patricia nor Justin was all that