Kiss Me, Kate Read Online Free PDF Page A

than that, she’d miss her father with all her heart. 
     
    Chapter 4
    “We won’t stop now till we roll into the first posting inn to change out the horses.”
    She gave a weak smile. She wanted this, she really did, but she’d always wanted her father to be there for her as well.
    “Don’t be so glum, my darling. Your father will eventually come around.” George wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a comforting hug.
    “Not in time for our vows, though.” She rested her cheek against his shoulder.
    “We’ll win him over on our return. I promise to be a model son-in-law.”
    “Where will we go after we are married?”
    “Anywhere you wish. I thought you might like to tour the Continent, or we could sojourn in Scotland for as long as you like.”
    “This is all like a dream, George.”
    With a light pinch of her chin between his forefinger and thumb, he said, “It’s all finally real. I told my mother of my intentions before I came back to England. She’s excited to have you visit the estate in Barbados.”
    “You told her?”
    He only grinned in answer. “Tell me—” George patted the interior of the carriage. “—what do you think of this beauty?”
    “Is it a hire?”
    “No, I had it made while I was away. I thought we might be forced to elope.”
    Kate sat up and gave him a quizzical look. “You did try to persuade him that we were a good match.”
    “Why wouldn’t I?”
    “Because you have always enjoyed a grand adventure.”
    He laughed and leaned forward to stare her in the eye. “We have the rest of our lives for adventure. I would never take you away from your father intentionally.”
    The skepticism in her gaze didn’t waver.
    “You yourself were unable to convince him to give his permission for our union. Your father has despised me since the first moment he noticed my infatuation with you.”
    “You’re right, of course.” She stared down at her entwined hands. “And we’ve given him more reason to dislike you.”
    George wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “He’ll forgive you. You are his only child and he’s always doted upon you.”
    “I hope you are right.” She flopped back on the leather seat of the carriage with a heavy sigh and slow smile. She’d always been determined to get whatever she wanted. She would do everything within her power to win her father’s affections back. And this gloom was no way to start her trip to Scotland.
    “Ah, you seem happier already,” George observed.
    “You make me happy, and I’ll not spend our trip in a state of maudlin.”
    He took her hands and bade her closer. “You might as well rest your head on my shoulder. We’ll be going strong for five hours at the very least.”
    “I’m too excited about our escape to sleep right now.” She glanced at him sidelong . . . coquettishly. What she really needed was a reason to want to sleep.
    George leaned in suddenly and captured her face between his big hands, then planted his lips against hers. Snaking her arms tight around his shoulders, she nearly pulled George atop her on the seat.
    “Feeling feisty, are you?”
    “You seem to bring out the most unbecoming traits in me.”
    He released her face to slide one of his hands down between her dress and cloak.
    “Take it off,” she whispered as she nuzzled her nose against his.
    His whole body was suddenly tense above hers. “What are you asking, Kate?”
    “You know what I’m asking.” Or at least she hoped he did. Because beyond their passionately shared kisses, she wasn’t really sure what would happen after he removed her cloak and nightclothes.
    He pressed his forehead against hers. “You are a temptation I never want to refuse. But don’t ask me to start something I cannot stop. We will be wed in a few days’ time—”
    “I don’t want to wait a few days, George.” Her voice had dropped nearly an octave and she had to clear her throat before continuing. “Haven’t we waited long