To Tame A Texan by Georgina Gentry

licking your chops at.”
    He felt a mite foolish. “I don’t know what to say to a girl who’s frank enough to tell me something like that.”
    â€œYou didn’t know?” She snorted. “Why, half the girls in this room have hankies or socks stuffed in the top of their ball gowns to fill them out.”
    He turned and stared longingly at Emmalou Purdy as she danced by with Willis Forrester. She winked boldly at Ace over Forrester’s shoulder.
    â€œIncluding her,” Lynnie said under her breath.
    â€œYou mean, that’s what I’ve been looking at?” Ace felt he’d been robbed. “Of all the cheating, deceitful . . .”
    â€œKnowing you,” Lynnie said, “you’re probably already imagining taking half of these girls out in the back of a carriage, pawing their corsets and drawers.”
    He felt the flush rise to his face. “Lordy, Miss McBride, that’s hardly fittin’ conversation for a young lady.”
    â€œI reckon not, but I know your reputation.” She looked about. “How long before the grand promenade?”
    Ace shrugged. “As soon as the governor comes upstairs and the party’s in full swing, I reckon.”
    â€œGood. I want us to lead it.”
    He was mystified. That didn’t sound like Lynnie.
    â€œWould you like to dance?” Lynnie asked.
    â€œI’m supposed to ask you,” he said.
    â€œWell, now, why is it the man gets to do the asking?”
    Yes, it was going to be a long, long evening, Ace thought in resignation. “I don’t know; that’s just the way it is.”
    â€œThere are lots of things that need to be changed, then.”
    He didn’t want to argue with the little spitfire. The red-haired McBride women had reputations for being feisty. Unfortunately, the other sisters were prettier. He bowed before her. “Miss McBride, would you like to dance?”
    â€œI suppose we might as well.”
    They set their punch cups down on a nearby table.
    She came into his arms, stiff as an ironing board. “Not so close, you rascal, you. Remember, I’m practically related to you.”
    â€œNo, you aren’t, except by marriage.” Thank God for that. Her waist was small, as was the dainty hand she put in his big one. He maneuvered her out onto the dance floor. “Now remember, I get to lead. We’ll argue over whether it’s fair to women later.”
    They did reasonably well and only tripped over each other’s feet a couple of times as they waltzed.
    Lynnie glanced around as they danced. “All the girls are watching you. I’ll bet they’re hoping you’ll ask them to dance.”
    He’d noticed that, too. Ace sighed wistfully and remembered he was under orders not to abandon Lynnie. “Now why would I want to dance with them when I have someone like you in my arms?”
    She looked startled, then smiled. “I know you’re lying, but it’s nice of you to say that.”
    He must be drunker than he thought; Lynnie looked almost attractive when she smiled. “Lynnie, please stop tryin’ to lead.”
    â€œEven that Forrester girl is smiling at you.”
    Willis Forrester’s sister. Her pale turquoise eyes were issuing a frank invitation. Ace smiled back.
    â€œYou don’t have to ogle her,” Lynnie snapped.
    â€œI was only being polite,” Ace said. “Besides, doesn’t the Good Book say ‘love your enemies’?”
    â€œThat’s not to be taken literally, you dolt.”
    He wasn’t sure what a dolt was, but he knew he was being insulted.
    Her face was brushing against his shoulder, and he could smell a delicate fragrance in her reddish hair. If she just weren’t so stiff, he might close his eyes and pretend she was a ripe, luscious, and eager female. Ace concentrated on dancing. It was difficult, much like steering a ship that was stuck on a