Now he was able to see what he couldn’t have noticed, viewing her in profile. Miss Taylor had risen from the pianoforte bench, smiling and dropping a gracious curtsy before returning to her seat. But for Thorne, this reaction might as well have been a bloodcurdling shriek.īram turned to see what had so taken his friend aback. No one else in the room would have noticed it-just a subtle tensing of the shoulders and a quick, fierce swallow. Therefore, Bram knew something truly shocking had occurred when he saw his corporal startle. along with dancing, laughter, and any facial expression more communicative than a blink. Bram supposed that for Thorne, clapping strayed too close to emotional display. But then, did Thorne count as a soul? The corporal stood impassive by the door, arms folded over his chest. The only soul in the tavern not applauding was Thorne. She’d cast such a spell over the assembly, a goodly pause elapsed between the final strains of music and the first claps of enthusiastic applause. She gave a little sigh of pleasure, and he nearly groaned aloud.īram forced his attention away, seeking refuge in the talented Miss Taylor’s performance. Her nimble tongue darted out to rescue a stray bit of jam. She lifted the iced morsel to her lips and took an arousing, unrepentant mouthful. We are all ladies here, and Spindle Cove is our place to taste freedom, in small, sweet bites.” “You’d prefer we offer you a great, bloody slab of meat. She reached for another cake, balancing it between her thumb and forefinger. “Oh, I highly doubt that.” Her imagination couldn’t possibly be so vivid.

“I know what you’re wanting, Lord Rycliff.”

He was surprised she could manage it through that coy little grin.Īs she lowered the cup, her eyebrows arched. “I realize this makes your task more difficult, but to be perfectly frank. There simply aren’t that many men in Spindle Cove.” Her clear blue gaze met his. Others left to seek work in larger towns. “Fleeing the village, are they? Not hard to believe.”

Tessa dare diana highwood