Wings of the Morning (Kensington Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF

sure."
    Smokey realized that they weren't going to give her the
    third degree and she was thankful, but she could also see that
    she needed to explain about Darsey.
    "Darsey was my father's first mate, and he still works for
    me. He's always been like a second father to me, and especially
    now that my father is gone. Willa, the woman I told you
    about, is his sister. We live with her when we're home." Not
    until after Smokey uttered the words did she realize that
    statement would need yet another explanation, but just then
    they were interrupted. Amaid arrived and told them Buck was
    there to see them.
    "Oh, thank you, Polly," Jenny told her before turning to
    Smokey. "Buck is my brother, and you're going to love him.
    Let's go into the parlor. I'll ask Polly to serve our coffee there."
    Before Smokey could draw another breath, Tate had
    gently taken her arm and was leading her out of the room. She
    took a moment to conjure up what a person named Buck
    would look like, but as soon as she followed Jenny into the
    room, she could see that she couldn't be more wrong.
    Engaging was the only word that would come to Smokey's
    mind, and that was before Buck had uttered a word. He was a
    small man, slightly taller than Smokey but shorter than his
    sister, and petite in build. His small frame and exact manner
    38
    caused several names to jump to mind, but Buck certainly
    wasn't one of them.
    "Hello, Buck/'Jenny greeted him warmly. After kissing his
    sister, Buck dropped somewhat dramatically onto the sofa.
    "I've decided to propose to her, Jen, but if she says no, then
    I'll wish that I had given her more time. On the other hand, if
    she says yes, I'll wish that I'd asked sooner."
    Smokey, who sat on the small settee Tate had led her
    toward, stared at Jenny's brother. He had thrown his head
    back and said all of this with his eyes on the ceiling. Smokey
    looked to Tate then, who winked audaciously before turning
    to speak to his brother-in-law.
    "Come now, Buck, I'm sure she'll have you. How could she
    resist?" Not realizing how serious Buck was, Tate wanted to
    tease him from his somber mood.
    "I don't know. She was very quiet tonight."
    "We have company, Buck," Jen said softly when it seemed
    he would lie there for some time. Jen could see that her
    brother was serious, and she wanted to listen, but she realized
    he must not have seen Smokey, for he would not want to share
    all of this in front of a stranger.
    "Miss Victoria Simmons from Kennebunk is staying with
    us." Tate said this, having finally seen that Buck was truly
    feeling low.
    His words did the trick. Without rising, Buck's head came
    up. His eyes narrowed and then widened upon spotting
    Smokey. An instant later he came off the sofa as though on
    strings and bowed low to his sister's guest.
    "Excuse my lack of manners, my dear." The tone of Buck's
    voice was refined "I am Rowland Knight, 'Buck' to friends and
    family alike."
    Smokey watched in fascination as he came forward with
    all the manners of a gentleman at court, took her hand, and
    carefully kissed the back of it. Knowing her skin and nails
    were rough, Smokey squirmed with embarrassment, but the
    warm eyes Buck raised to hers made her relax in a moment.
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    Smokey found herself smiling hugely as Buck took a seat
    beside her.
    "You know," he spoke to the room but never took his eyes
    off Smokey's perfect complexion and huge gray eyes. "If I
    wasn't in love with the widow Rittenhouse, I might fall in love
    with Victoria."
    Smokey chuckled low in her throat, and because she
    sincerely liked him at first meeting, she teased him with a
    warm glimmer in her eye. "If you could change your affections
    that swiftly, Mr. Knight, I'm not sure I would have you."
    Buck threw back his head and laughed in delight. Smokey
    glanced at her host and hostess and found them grinning also.
    "I like you, Victoria," Buck told her bluntly.
    "My friends call me Smokey," she told him.
    "Smokey," Buck tried the name out loud. "It fits