Darkest Dreams Read Free Page B

learning of my engagement and marriage to Sean has to have hurt your feelings. I know something has had you out of sorts lately.”
    â€œWith so much time on my hands, I’ve been restless,” I said, hoping she wouldn’t press for more. “Cataloguing will be just the thing to set me back to rights. Come on.” I pulled her toward Alexander. “The viscount won’t be able to refuse to speak to us. Not in so public a place.”
    â€œI’m not so sure about that,” Cassie muttered.
    I wasn’t sure how Alexander would greet us, either. My nerves fluttered more than his dark hair did in the sea breeze. Seeing him coatless and daring in public made me readily believe many of the rumors about him. The Killdaren family was noted for flouting traditions and living well outside society’s strictures, and the gossip I’d heard about Lord Alexander Killdaren indicated he was the boldest of the lot.
    He stood at the end of the loading ramp with his back to us, apparently watching the spirited horse prancing on the deck of the ship. The magnificence of the beast had captured almost everyone’s attention, and would have had mine as well were it not for the man before me and the way the cloth of his shirt stretched tautly across his broad shoulders, barely masking the supple grace and power of his body beneath. The tailored fit of his breeches followed the line of his body along his trim hips and down the sinewy length of his legs, leaving little to the imagination.
    My cheeks flamed more hotly than the sun, a condition that worsened when Lord Alexander turned my way. His gaze slid slowly over me, and all thought left my mind.
    â€œA beautiful day, my lord.” Cassie smiled brightly.
    â€œLadies.” He nodded his head at my sister, his manner cordial and respectful, if reserved. “I hear you’re Mrs. Killdaren now.”
    â€œHappily so, and please call me Cassie,” Cassie replied, notably relieved he didn’t publicly ignore us. “After all, we are family now.”
    â€œYes, we are.” He frowned and fell silent, as if either at a loss over what to say, or perhaps hoping we’d continue on our way. After an awkward moment, he added. “The sea air appears to agree with you both. You’re looking well since I last saw you.”
    My voice was tangled up with my pounding heart, but I forced myself to speak, fearing this opportunity would be lost before any significant connection could be made. “Thank you, my lord. Oxford can get intolerably hot this time of the year, and we’ve found the climate here at Dartmoor’s End refreshing.” The horse on the ship let out a shrill whinny, and I glanced at the commotion it caused as the beast reared up from those trying to gentle it. “Unfortunately the sea doesn’t seem to have agreed with that one. Is she yours?”
    â€œYes, and very special. You’re looking at my legacy. She’s from the Netherlands and carries the seed of the last living Friesian stallion within her. They’re a dying breed that I hope to save from extinction.” His voice deepened with a haunting emotion as he spoke, vibrating a chord within me so strongly that I almost missed that he’d said my legacy as opposed to a legacy. The nuance seemed significant to me, but his expression remained casual, revealing little. “I’m about to go on board to meet her.”
    â€œShe’s so beautiful,” Cassie said.
    â€œShe’s exquisite,” I murmured. I’d never seen a more beautiful horse, sleek and black with an impossibly long mane and tail. Tufts of glistening hair covered each of her hooves to give her a majestic appearance worthy of any legend. She appeared as if she were made of the greatest elements of earth imbued with the spirit of the heavens. It was also clear to me that Alexander was about to depart from our company. I motioned to the ship and boldly