Kissed by Moonlight Read Online Free PDF Page A

wedding night.”
    Her eyelids dropped, weighted by a great shyness. As his eyes traveled down the papers on his knee, ticking a figure here, heavily scoring out another there, the implication of his words shredded her composure. The haste had been for her convenience – she had needed to get away quickly – but it was clear that it was not going to be a marriage of convenience for him too. Only David would take it for granted that the marriage would be consummated without bothering about the cosseting ritual of courtship. It was going to be very strange. Although she had known him all her life, nurturing a secret passion for him for most of that time, she had never tingled in his arms or gently rebuffed the probings of his hands in their attempt to know her body. Yet tonight he would take it as his right to know her intimately.
    The jet touched down at a large airport and she found herself boarding another plane, one that was much smaller.
    â€œNot the last thing in comfort, but it’ll do for the short time we’ll be on it,” David said in token apology. “The runway of the airport we’re making for is being extended to take jets. It should be operational by the end of the year.”
    He seemed to be telling her something, but she wasn’t intuitive enough to know what. She smiled and said vaguely, “Oh, really!” Just as though he was making inconsequential chatter, which was something he never did.
    When he said, “We’re almost there now,” she looked down at an amazingly blue sea, angling her head to get a better view of a collection of islands.
    The smallest island of all was set a little apart from its sister group. It had a curious outline; its rugged coastline wound in and out in a series of animal shapes. The most distinctive animal shape of all was at its southern tip, and it was like no animal she had known. Tracing its shape she saw that it almost had a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and it flicked off into a serpent’s tail.
    Suddenly she knew where David was taking her. She found herself speaking its name, although she had never set eyes on it before. “Chimera.” Her throat was tight with emotion. This moment would live forever in her heart, her first sight of Chimera. “It’s my father’s island. It’s Chimera!”
    The dream that went amiss. The venture of three years ago that had toppled his empire and started the avalanche that had brought about his ruin. Yet it was not that aspect she thought about as she gazed down at Chimera with tears in her eyes.
    â€œI’ve always wanted to tread my father’s dream. It’s the perfect honeymoon surprise. Thank you for bringing me here, David. You can’t know how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
    Even before he answered, by looking at his face she knew her gratitude was misplaced.
    He demanded crossly, “Just when did you think I had time to make extravagant honeymoon plans?”
    He was right. There had been no time for him to arrange a honeymoon; no time for her to shop for her trousseau. Her mouth curved at the thought that perhaps her old cotton nightgown was just the job for a non-honeymoon.
    â€œIt’s simply an unkind coincidence that I have to bring you to the place of that ill-fated venture of your father’s. It’s where I happen to be working at the moment. I’m with the hotel.”
    â€œHow stupid of me,” she said stiffly.
    â€œIt’s no good taking that attitude, Petrina. My father seemed to think you needed my support and he was right. I’m glad he sent for me, but the fact remains that I had to leave several important things hanging fire that I must go back and attend to.”
    â€œI hope you won’t find my presence an encumbrance, and I am not taking any attitude,” she said, warding off that weak feminine reaction to cruelty.
    She was deeply disappointed that she was tagging along