Schulze, Dallas Read Online Free PDF

Walk, her family’s home for the last one
hundred fifty years, she had the same feeling that she was standing outside
herself, watching what was happening but not really a part of it.
    The words were the same but everything else had changed. There
were no guests this time, only Douglas and Susan to act as witnesses. The
elaborate white silk wedding gown with its rows of lace and fine pleated trim
had been replaced with a simple dress of pale-gray muslin, its plainness
relieved by touches of creamy lace at the wrists and throat. And instead of
standing beside a man she’d known all her life, she was standing beside a man
she didn’t know at all.
    The ceremony was mercifully brief. No doubt, given more time, the
reverend would have come up with an oration appropriate to the circumstances,
something laden with allusions to the wages of sin. As it was, he kept his
commentary to a minimum. He conveyed his disapproval by the stern tone of his
voice, but he couldn’t hide the avid curiosity in his eyes.
    Aware that everything she said and did was going to be reported
over tea and cakes with the good reverend’s friends, Lila struggled to present
a calm façade. There was no sense in providing even more fodder for the gossip
mill. Lord knew, this day had already given enough to keep the town talking for
weeks.
    I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride
    Her feeling that she was observing everything from behind a glass
wall was shattered as if a hammer had been applied to that same wall. She was
only vaguely aware of the prim disapproval in Reverend Carpenter’s eyes. All
her attention was focused on the man standing beside her― the man who was
now her husband.
    Bishop felt Lila jump when he put his hand on her shoulder to turn
her to face him. She stared up at him, her green eyes wide and dilated,
swirling with a mixture of emotions he couldn’t even begin to read. She was
his. His wife. He was caught off guard by the gut-deep feeling of
possessiveness that came with the thought. He touched her cheek. Her skin was
cool and soft beneath his fingertips. His. Crazy as it was, considering the
circumstances, there was an odd satisfaction in the knowledge.
    She drew in a quick, sharp little breath as he lowered his head.
He expected her to turn her face away, but she didn’t. She watched him, her
eyes smoky green and filled with a mixture of uncertainty and defiance.
Bishop’s mouth quirked. He should have known better than to think that Lila
would turn away. If he’d learned nothing else about her, it was that she wasn’t
much inclined to turn away from a challenge.
    Lila saw the flicker of amusement in Bishop’s eyes but she had
only a moment to wonder at its cause before his mouth touched hers. She’d
expected nothing more than a brief peck on the cheek, a token gesture for
Reverend Carpenter’s benefit. Instead, his lips settled on hers in a kiss that
was warmly caressing. Caught by surprise, her mouth softened, welcoming him.
She lifted one hand and set it against his chest, her fingers curling into the
fabric of his coat.
    His mustache was softly rough against her skin, contrasting with
the firm smoothness of his lips. She had a sudden memory of his mouth skimming
down the length of her throat, the moist touch of his tongue against the pulse
that beat at its base, of her own soft moan of encouragement as his mouth slid
lower still.
    Whether Bishop felt her stiffen or whether he’d never intended to
draw the kiss out any further, Lila didn’t know. He lifted his head, his eyes
meeting hers for a long, still moment. She could read nothing in that look, no
reflection of the memories that had crashed over her, no regret over the
marriage they’d just entered into—not even resignation. His eyes were still,
blue pools, revealing nothing.
    “Lila.” Susan’s light voice was a welcome interruption. Relieved
to have an excuse to turn away from her new husband, Lila stepped into her
sister-in-law’s