Page 66 of Captain Jack Ryder
“Max, Brandy, comehere!”
The butler discreetlycoughed.
“Is that you, Peel? Whatare those dogs up to now? Is it another rabbit?” Ashley emergedpulling off gardening gloves. Jack noted she had cast off herblacks and was dressed in a gray and violet striped gown. Shepaused at the door of the orangery, her eyes seeking Jack’s. “Thankyou, Peel. We’ll take tea on the terrace. It’s such a pleasantday.”
“Very well, mylady.”
Peel disappeared inside as Jack fendedoff the whippet’s enthusiastic greeting. He approached her admiringhow the sun highlighted her pale hair. “What is the whippet’s name?Max or Brandy?” He rested his hands on her arms and studied herlovely face, the image of which he’d carried on his travels, takingin every feature, while his heart thudded in his chest.
“The whippet is Brandy,”she said in a breathy voice, as she reached up to trace a fingerover Jack’s jaw. “You’ve forgiven me, then?”
“What’s to forgive? Yourlove for your family is commendable, Ashley.” He smiled down ather. “Have you missed me?” He feared that she might have foundsomeone else in his absence. Someone eminently moresuitable.
She sighed. “Oh, Jack. You don’t knowhow much.” She threw her arms around his neck. Parting her lips,she raised herself to meet his kiss.
Jack’s hands framed her slim waist andhungry for her mouth, he kissed her. Then, aware of where they werehe drew away with reluctance. “Later, I hope you’ll show me howmuch.”
“You will stay awhile,won’t you?” She looped her arm through his and drew him toward theterrace. “In the meantime, I want to hear all about yourjourney.”
“We have plenty of time,Ashley,” Jack said. “I don’t plan to travel again for quite awhile.”
“I intend to hold you tothat, dearest Jack.”
An indefinable feeling of rightnessflooded through him. Society would grow used to seeing themtogether. They must. “You may hold me any way you like, mylove.”
