Love and Honor: The Coltrane Saga, Book 7 by Patricia Hagan Page A
Authors: Patricia Hagan
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the floor and leaned over her, his breath warm against her cheek. His eyes met hers in a fiery challenge of dance and lust. And although no one else could see, he slid his thumb up from her waist to touch her nipples through the soft velvet bodice of her gown. Kit instantly felt the sensation, and he saw in her eyes that she enjoyed it. He smiled that arrogant, taunting smile once more.
The music ended with a crashing crescendo, and the room exploded in cheers and applause.
Kurt held her tightly, dipped low in his arms. He saw in her eyes a myriad of emotions—the frightened look of a trapped animal giving way to the fierce determination of a survivor. This woman offered a dangerous challenge of her own.
“As I said”—Kurt gave her a lopsided grin—“the lady has a special need.” He dared to brush his lips boldly against her throat, touching his tongue against her warm flesh.
Kit was too proud to struggle in his arms. She would not give him the pleasure of letting him know the desperate fear and hunger that churned within her—a hunger that he had awakened…and she knew, without doubt, that he could satisfy. He was arrogant, insolent, and conceited, but he was also devastatingly handsome. Yet she was secure in her dignity. She was not about to be one of his fawning female admirers. “And the question was, arrogante , can you dance with me?”
Kurt raised her up, set her on tiptoe, and kissed her soundly. “Time will tell.” He winked. Nodding, he turned quickly and disappeared into the crowd.
Chapter Five
It was the first week of January 1913, and the holiday of Dia de los Reyes, the Procession of the Three Kings, when children received their Christmas gifts. Kit was lonely, because Carasia had been given time off to enjoy the holiday with her family. They were as close as sisters, and Kit especially missed her on her daily ride, because Carasia always hurried to finish her work so she could accompany her.
Alone or not, Kit was not about to stay around the house with her mother, especially since the embassy ball. Her scheme had backfired all right, and her mother was worse than ever, nagging her to have parties and socials. The young men who were constantly calling were also a nuisance. On this particular day, Kit was determined to be away, because Esteban Yubero was in town and her mother had invited him to have tea. So, before the first light of day, she had packed a knapsack with cheese, fruit, and a canteen, and quietly sneaked out of the house to saddle Belle and be on her way before her mother awoke. She planned to ride all the way to the Rio Turia—to retreat from the world and dwell in her dreams, if only for a little while. She would face her mother’s anger later.
Kit now crossed the back pasture and rode alongside the creek bank, moving to a knoll at the rear of Doc Frazier’s land where she could watch the ever awesome spectacle of the sun’s victory over darkness. It was a lovely morning, blue and gold, the sleeping winter fields a blanket of bronze.
She dismounted and leaned against a jutting rock, enjoying the splendor around her. How she wished that she knew for certain she would never have to leave. Her mother hadn’t said anything about going back to America since the embassy ball, but that didn’t mean she had changed her mind.
Kit’s mind drifted back to the ball…and she cursed herself for once again feeling a sensuous, warm flash of desire as she thought of Kurt Tanner, despite her dislike of the man. Oh, he was arrogant! The nerve of him kissing her right there on the dance floor, but the worst had been the way he had boldly caressed her nipples, staring down at her with knowing, laughing eyes.
Kit had not seen him since. She did not want to, ever, but she had been curious enough to ask Carasia about him. She learned that his ranch was not far away. It was north of Valencia, between Sagunto and an area called the Castellon de la Plana, sometimes called the Costa del
The music ended with a crashing crescendo, and the room exploded in cheers and applause.
Kurt held her tightly, dipped low in his arms. He saw in her eyes a myriad of emotions—the frightened look of a trapped animal giving way to the fierce determination of a survivor. This woman offered a dangerous challenge of her own.
“As I said”—Kurt gave her a lopsided grin—“the lady has a special need.” He dared to brush his lips boldly against her throat, touching his tongue against her warm flesh.
Kit was too proud to struggle in his arms. She would not give him the pleasure of letting him know the desperate fear and hunger that churned within her—a hunger that he had awakened…and she knew, without doubt, that he could satisfy. He was arrogant, insolent, and conceited, but he was also devastatingly handsome. Yet she was secure in her dignity. She was not about to be one of his fawning female admirers. “And the question was, arrogante , can you dance with me?”
Kurt raised her up, set her on tiptoe, and kissed her soundly. “Time will tell.” He winked. Nodding, he turned quickly and disappeared into the crowd.
Chapter Five
It was the first week of January 1913, and the holiday of Dia de los Reyes, the Procession of the Three Kings, when children received their Christmas gifts. Kit was lonely, because Carasia had been given time off to enjoy the holiday with her family. They were as close as sisters, and Kit especially missed her on her daily ride, because Carasia always hurried to finish her work so she could accompany her.
Alone or not, Kit was not about to stay around the house with her mother, especially since the embassy ball. Her scheme had backfired all right, and her mother was worse than ever, nagging her to have parties and socials. The young men who were constantly calling were also a nuisance. On this particular day, Kit was determined to be away, because Esteban Yubero was in town and her mother had invited him to have tea. So, before the first light of day, she had packed a knapsack with cheese, fruit, and a canteen, and quietly sneaked out of the house to saddle Belle and be on her way before her mother awoke. She planned to ride all the way to the Rio Turia—to retreat from the world and dwell in her dreams, if only for a little while. She would face her mother’s anger later.
Kit now crossed the back pasture and rode alongside the creek bank, moving to a knoll at the rear of Doc Frazier’s land where she could watch the ever awesome spectacle of the sun’s victory over darkness. It was a lovely morning, blue and gold, the sleeping winter fields a blanket of bronze.
She dismounted and leaned against a jutting rock, enjoying the splendor around her. How she wished that she knew for certain she would never have to leave. Her mother hadn’t said anything about going back to America since the embassy ball, but that didn’t mean she had changed her mind.
Kit’s mind drifted back to the ball…and she cursed herself for once again feeling a sensuous, warm flash of desire as she thought of Kurt Tanner, despite her dislike of the man. Oh, he was arrogant! The nerve of him kissing her right there on the dance floor, but the worst had been the way he had boldly caressed her nipples, staring down at her with knowing, laughing eyes.
Kit had not seen him since. She did not want to, ever, but she had been curious enough to ask Carasia about him. She learned that his ranch was not far away. It was north of Valencia, between Sagunto and an area called the Castellon de la Plana, sometimes called the Costa del
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