WM02 - Texas Princess Read Online Free PDF Page B

between them no matter how few days were left until the wedding.
    “Oh,” she said as if surprised. “There’s the horse now.”
    Samuel stared at her a moment longer as if suspecting a trick, then turned slowly.
    He held his surprise wel as Tobin moved closer with a beautiful horse in tow.
    “Thank you, Mr. McMurray, for bringing him out.” Liberty ran past Samuel. “I hoped to show him to the captain.”
    As she neared the horse, she caught Tobin’s stare and prayed he would play along with this game as far as she wanted to go.
    The animal bobbed his head causing the bridle to rattle.
    Liberty jumped back a few steps.
    Samuel let out an exasperated sigh. “My bride-to-be is afraid of horses. Hel of a curse for a cavalryman’s wife. I plan to remedy her problem as soon as possible.”
    Tobin didn’t answer the captain, but his grip tightened slightly on the reins. She caught his slight nod and moved forward once more.
    “I’m thinking of taking this one.” Liberty managed to reach out and almost touch the horse.
    “You wil take this one,” Samuel corrected. “He’s a ne horse and we’ve no time to look further. You’l be on his back tomorrow.”
    Liberty shook her head, but Samuel had turned to Tobin. “There’l be extra in the sale if you can teach her to ride. I’ve got my hands ful right now or I’d take on the task myself.”
    When Tobin didn’t answer, the captain pushed. “You can teach her to ride, can’t you?”
    She felt insulted for Tobin McMurray. The captain was talking down to him as if he were slow-witted. But Tobin only nodded.
    “Good.” Samuel turned back to Liberty. “Come along, dear, we should be getting back to the bal .” He offered his hand. “I’m sure there is no party without your presence.”
    She thought of the darkness between the barn and the house and answered, “I want to stay here and get to know my horse. I’l be along in a few minutes.”
    He seemed bored with her. “Fine. Suit yourself.” She felt like a toy he’d grown tired of playing with. “I need to talk to your father anyway.” He marched toward the door, then turned. “I’l see you before I leave tonight. My men are setting up our camp between the house and the creek.” He looked her up and down as if inspecting one of the troops. “Don’t get anything on that dress. It wouldn’t do to have my future wife appear less than perfect.”
    She saluted. “Yes sir.”
    Before, he’d told her he thought her salutes charming; now, he looked irritated.
    Without another word, he turned and left.
    Liberty closed her eyes and took a deep breath, stretching her arms out as she tried to rid herself of tension. When she looked up, Tobin was staring at her.
    “What are you looking at?” Her words came fast and angry, more at herself than this stranger. She wouldn’t be surprised if he said, “A coward,” and he’d be right.
    “Your dress,” he answered simply.
    His words surprised her. “What did you say?” Maybe he wasn’t as smart as she gave him credit for being. Maybe the captain had been right to talk to him as if he were simple.
    McMurray shrugged. “I’ve never seen so many fril s on a woman, and so much skin exposed at the same time.”
    Liberty looked down at her low-cut-gown. It was daring, but not by Paris standards.
    “You must not only sleep in a barn, Mr. McMurray, you must have been born in one as wel . There is nothing wrong with my dress and I’l thank you to stop looking or even referring to my skin.”
    He didn’t have the decency to be embarrassed.
    She pul ed the thin shawl that hung at her elbows. “There, is that better? Am I modest enough for the barn now?”
    He smiled, an easy smile that was catching. “Oh, I wasn’t complaining, miss, just observing.”
    She wasn’t sure whether she should be insulted or attered. Most men were respectful around her because of her father’s power. This one didn’t seem to know, or care, that he was talking to a