Read Online Forbidden Angel by Sandra Lea Rice - Free Book Online
Authors: Sandra Lea Rice
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Adrian for more gowns.
Shirley arranged Angeline’s hair in ringlets at the back of her head and, plucking a few rose buds from a vase, placed them among the curls.
With a last, quick inspection in the mirror, Angeline went downstairs to join the others. Hopefully there would be a chance of a private conversation with Adrian.
The change in Adrian’s appearance was remarkable. His trimmed hair lay in soft waves over his head. Now clean shaven, his aristocratic features were even more pronounced. Tan trousers skimmed his well muscled legs while his coat of deep-blue superfine emphasized his broad shoulders. His silk waistcoat, striped in blue and tan, hugged his trim waist. His cravat was tied in a simple knot with a sapphire stick-pin in the middle. Her knees went weak as his blue gaze turned in her direction, and held.
“You look lovely this evening.” Virginia greeted her warmly. “We’ll have a nice family dinner and a chance to catch up.” She tilted her head at her brother. “Isn’t she stunning?”
“Very beautiful, indeed,” he drawled, eyeing her over the rim of his glass.
When dinner was announced, Adrian offered his arm and led her into the dining room. After seating her to his right, he took his own at the head of the table.
Throughout dinner, Angeline was aware of little else but Adrian, sitting nearby. Her senses were bombarded with the scent of his cologne, the sound of his voice, his mere presence. He talked of the cattle drive and the difficulties they’d encountered. Then he mentioned his breeding program for the horses on the ranch. The sturdy Texas mares, crossed with the Arabian stallion, Shahid, had begun to produce working stock with both the speed of the mares and the stamina of the Arabian.
Angeline bit her lip thoughtfully. “I do apologize for taking Shahid out. I had no idea.”
Adrian’s head swung lazily toward her. “The exercise is good for him. I hear you’re an accomplished rider. You would have to be to handle him.”
Angeline inclined her head in a gesture of thanks. “He’s a lovely mount.”
With the meal completed, Virginia suggested they move to the drawing room.
Although the rest of the evening passed pleasantly enough, Angeline felt somewhat confused at Adrian’s apparent indifference toward her.
Later, with Virginia checking on the children and Adrian and Joel absorbed in a private conversation, Angeline slipped outside. The breeze felt cool against her flushed cheeks.
“May I join you?”
Angeline caught the scent of Adrian’s cologne, a mixture of sandalwood and spice. “Please do.”
“I must apologize for my earlier rudeness. It was thoughtless of me to talk business in front of you.”
Tilting her head back, she peered at his face. “There’s no need to apologize. I’m certain there are many important things to discuss after such a long absence.”
Adrian gave a perfunctory nod. “There are, but that is no excuse for my behavior.” He turned to face her. “I’ve been told you ride unescorted every morning. In the future, I suggest you take a couple of men with you.”
She tried to quell her rising irritation. “While I appreciate your concern for my safety, I assure you I’ll be quite all right. I’ve ridden without mishap since I arrived, and I enjoy the solitude.”
His eyes narrowed. “Do not just dismiss what I’m telling you and don’t misinterpret what I say. You will do as I ask.” He placed his hands on her shoulders.
“And you, my lord, will release me.” She stared pointedly at his hands.
Adrian could smell the sweetness of her hair and skin and feel the warmth from her body. Reaching for her had been spontaneous—and very dangerous. He took a deep breath and removed his hands. “Please accept my apologies, again. But I meant what I said. Do not ride alone.”
“I thank you for offering me the safety of your home, but it does not give you the right to tell me what I may or may not do outside of it.” She
Shirley arranged Angeline’s hair in ringlets at the back of her head and, plucking a few rose buds from a vase, placed them among the curls.
With a last, quick inspection in the mirror, Angeline went downstairs to join the others. Hopefully there would be a chance of a private conversation with Adrian.
The change in Adrian’s appearance was remarkable. His trimmed hair lay in soft waves over his head. Now clean shaven, his aristocratic features were even more pronounced. Tan trousers skimmed his well muscled legs while his coat of deep-blue superfine emphasized his broad shoulders. His silk waistcoat, striped in blue and tan, hugged his trim waist. His cravat was tied in a simple knot with a sapphire stick-pin in the middle. Her knees went weak as his blue gaze turned in her direction, and held.
“You look lovely this evening.” Virginia greeted her warmly. “We’ll have a nice family dinner and a chance to catch up.” She tilted her head at her brother. “Isn’t she stunning?”
“Very beautiful, indeed,” he drawled, eyeing her over the rim of his glass.
When dinner was announced, Adrian offered his arm and led her into the dining room. After seating her to his right, he took his own at the head of the table.
Throughout dinner, Angeline was aware of little else but Adrian, sitting nearby. Her senses were bombarded with the scent of his cologne, the sound of his voice, his mere presence. He talked of the cattle drive and the difficulties they’d encountered. Then he mentioned his breeding program for the horses on the ranch. The sturdy Texas mares, crossed with the Arabian stallion, Shahid, had begun to produce working stock with both the speed of the mares and the stamina of the Arabian.
Angeline bit her lip thoughtfully. “I do apologize for taking Shahid out. I had no idea.”
Adrian’s head swung lazily toward her. “The exercise is good for him. I hear you’re an accomplished rider. You would have to be to handle him.”
Angeline inclined her head in a gesture of thanks. “He’s a lovely mount.”
With the meal completed, Virginia suggested they move to the drawing room.
Although the rest of the evening passed pleasantly enough, Angeline felt somewhat confused at Adrian’s apparent indifference toward her.
Later, with Virginia checking on the children and Adrian and Joel absorbed in a private conversation, Angeline slipped outside. The breeze felt cool against her flushed cheeks.
“May I join you?”
Angeline caught the scent of Adrian’s cologne, a mixture of sandalwood and spice. “Please do.”
“I must apologize for my earlier rudeness. It was thoughtless of me to talk business in front of you.”
Tilting her head back, she peered at his face. “There’s no need to apologize. I’m certain there are many important things to discuss after such a long absence.”
Adrian gave a perfunctory nod. “There are, but that is no excuse for my behavior.” He turned to face her. “I’ve been told you ride unescorted every morning. In the future, I suggest you take a couple of men with you.”
She tried to quell her rising irritation. “While I appreciate your concern for my safety, I assure you I’ll be quite all right. I’ve ridden without mishap since I arrived, and I enjoy the solitude.”
His eyes narrowed. “Do not just dismiss what I’m telling you and don’t misinterpret what I say. You will do as I ask.” He placed his hands on her shoulders.
“And you, my lord, will release me.” She stared pointedly at his hands.
Adrian could smell the sweetness of her hair and skin and feel the warmth from her body. Reaching for her had been spontaneous—and very dangerous. He took a deep breath and removed his hands. “Please accept my apologies, again. But I meant what I said. Do not ride alone.”
“I thank you for offering me the safety of your home, but it does not give you the right to tell me what I may or may not do outside of it.” She
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