In His Eyes: Blemished Brides Book 1, page 11
“My apologies, Miss Katherine,” he said, laughing softly, as if it were amusing that she might end up lame by the time this evening was over. He held firmly to her hand and his grip on her waist tightened, drawing her up against him.
“Perhaps we could sit out the next dance,” Katherine suggested, holding back a curse word in her throat. She shuddered from his touch. “I could use some fresh air.”
“Splendid idea,” he said enthusiastically. “I believe the moon is full tonight.” He leaned forward, then whispered. “I’d be honored to go for a romantic stroll out of doors with the beautiful birthday girl.”
Katherine pressed her lips together, and nodded. Perhaps she could lose him somewhere between the first yearling pen and the stallion barn. Reaching for his arm, she said, “Please, lead the way, Mr. Franco.”
He chuckled, and patted her hand. “No need for formalities. If you’ll allow me to call you Katherine, please, call me Sebastian. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing much more of each other soon. I’ve already asked your mother’s permission to court you.”
Dread washed over her. “I thought your place of business was in Helena,” she remarked as he led her out the front door and down the steps. How did he plan to court her from so far away? Katherine steered him in the direction of the stables. If she could catch him off guard, just maybe she could slip away and get lost in the darkness among the horses.
“Your mother has invited me to remain at the ranch for a while. She thought I could see how a horse ranch operates. I’ve enjoyed your company immensely this evening, and I look forward to getting to know you better.”
Sebastian stopped and turned toward her. Close by, several horses snorted softly. They had to be near the first barn. He lifted her hand upward, and pressed his lips to it.
“You are a beautiful woman, Katherine,” he said. “A courtship seems fitting, before we move forward with wedding plans. Perhaps one month. What do you say?”
Katherine’s mouth dropped open. He wasn’t wasting any time, was he? What had her mother promised him? She laughed quickly to cover up her annoyance. If she was going to be forced into a marriage, she at least wanted to retain a small amount of control.
“Sebastian,” she said slowly, “I’m truly flattered, but I think there’s something you should know before you decide that you wish to marry me.”
Sebastian still held her hand up close to his mouth. His grip tightened, and he leaned forward. The smell of wine emanated from his mouth and mixed with the strong odor of his cologne.
“I think I’m already in love with you, Katherine, from the moment I first saw you,” he said, his voice filled with passion. “There is nothing you could tell me that would make me think otherwise.”
Katherine gritted her teeth. More likely, he was in love with the idea of the wealth a marriage to her would bring him. She drew in a deep breath and raised her chin. She smiled at the thought of defying her mother.
“I’m blind, Sebastian,” she said matter-of-factly. “Will this change how you feel about me?”
Silence. A slight breeze drifted in front of her face, bringing with it more odors of his cologne. How many countless people had waved their hand in front of her eyes to see if she was telling the truth?
Sebastian loudly cleared his throat. “Well, this . . . ah, of course it doesn’t change anything.” He dropped her hand, then gripped it again. His quick tug to bring her up against his chest was unexpected.
Katherine stiffened when his mouth made contact with hers. The bristles of a mustache scraped against her nose. Her hands shot up, and she pushed against his chest.
“Even if you can’t see, you can still perform the duties of a wife,” he said, panting slightly when he drew back.
“How dare you,” Katherine gasped.
She braced more firmly against his chest when he leaned toward her again, then brought a clenched hand up to fend off his next advance. Before her fist connected with him, he released her fully, and moved away from her so abruptly, that she nearly lost her balance. A loud smack was followed by a grunt.
“I don’t think the lady gave you permission to manhandle her,” a low voice nearly growled.
Trace!
Katherine wiped the back of her hand across her mouth in an effort to rid herself of the feel of Sebastian’s kiss.
“If you don’t want more than a bloody nose, I suggest you make yourself scarce.” Trace’s warning words came out of the darkness. Someone drew in several quick breaths a few feet away.
Not a second later, a familiar hand circled her arm, and the pleasant scent of leather and horses replaced the smell of cologne and wine.
“Are you all right?” Trace asked calmly, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
Katherine nodded quickly. Tears of anger threatened to spill from her eyes. Dammit! This wouldn’t have happened had she been able to see Sebastian’s intent.
“He won’t bother you again,” Trace drawled. He even chuckled. “Looks like you were about to give him a shiner, but it may not be wise to go for a stroll in the dark with a man you barely know.” The humor in his tone was undeniable.
He reached for her hand as he spoke. Katherine didn’t hesitate when he led her further away from the house. Crickets chirped loudly around them, the only sound as he led her toward the stables. Trace didn’t stop until they’d reached the barn where the mare and her foal were stabled.
“I guess I haven’t learned my lesson,” she broke the silence between them in an effort to disguise her racing heart. Warmth rushed through her hand and up her arm from Trace’s touch. “Seems to me that’s what I’m doing again right now, going for a stroll with a stranger.”
Trace laughed. “I’d like to think that you know me a little better than you know that dandy.”
Katherine swallowed. She hadn’t been in Trace’s company in over a week, but her reaction to him now, and the butterflies he stirred in her, had intensified since then.
“You seem to show up at the right time,” she managed to say. “Even if you aren’t around much otherwise.”
Trace stopped, and turned toward her. “I had some business to take care of this week, but I wanted to wish you a happy birthday.”
His words came slow, as if he was searching for the right thing to say. Katherine waited. She raised her head, her eyes trained on the direction of his voice. His palm cradled her hand and her skirt rustled when he took a step closer.
Trace bent forward slightly, judging by his warm breath against her cheek. When calloused fingers swiped against the contour of her jaw, Katherine stopped breathing. A horse snorted softly behind her and straw rustled.
“I . . . ah, have a present for you, but . . .” His words trailed off. His palm completely cupped the side of her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. He drew in a sharp breath and mumbled a curse word. “Giving it to you might have to wait. I think I’d like permission to kiss you first,” he whispered, his tone so low, it was barely audible.
Katherine lost her ability to speak, or act. Had her knight finally arrived?
Chapter Fifteen
Trace hesitated slightly, just before he touched his lips to Katie’s. She hadn’t given her consent to a kiss, but she hadn’t said no, either. He’d thought of little else but Katie all week, and now that she was here, this felt like the most natural thing to do.
The moment their mouths connected, he was lost. Heat seared through him, igniting his heart to life deep within his chest. His thumb brushed the soft skin of her cheek. Weaving his fingers in her hair, he cupped the back of her head, and brought her closer.
When Katie’s hands came up to rest against his chest, it was all the permission he needed to continue. His other arm encircled her waist, bringing her up flush against him. He adjusted his mouth over hers, and intensified the kiss. Her response was instant. She parted her lips beneath his and leaned into him.
Trace swore silently. He hadn’t expected this to happen. His intent this evening had been to give Katie the present he’d been working on for the better part of the week. Sally had given him a lot to think about. When she’d told him that Chantal planned to marry Katie off soon, he’d realized that he couldn’t drag his feet any longer. His sister was right. He was in love with Katie, and there was no reason why he couldn’t court her. She was a grown woman and could make up her own mind about the man she wanted. That’s exactly what John had meant when he’d told him to make sure Katie was happy.
He’d missed seeing her, had wanted to see her sooner than on her birthday, but there had been things he needed to take care of before making his intentions known. The last thing he wanted was for Katie to think he was interested in her because of the ranch. He hadn’t exactly been cordial with her in the past. He had to go slow, feel her out and see if those girlish infatuations she’d had for him all those years ago might turn into something real.
Seeing her leave the house on the arm of some city bigwig had sent a jolt of anger and jealousy straight through him. When the man had taken liberties with her, Trace had lost control. He’d wanted to do more than merely send his fist into the man’s face, but he’d had enough sense to stop after giving him a bloody nose. The pansy hadn’t even tried to swing back at him, and had hightailed it back to the house.
Trace eased his face away from Katie, and took a small step back. Her chest heaved as if she was out of breath. The low-cut dress she wore accentuated her neck and shoulders, and her female curves. Trace lifted his palm from her cheek and reached for her hand. What the hell had he been thinking? She’d just been accosted by one man, and now he was kissing her, too. His lips twitched in a smile. At least she seemed to like his kiss better.
“You didn’t wait for my consent to kiss me,” she said quietly. Her lips glistened in the faint glow from the lanterns hanging on the walls on either side of the barn aisle.
He grinned. A feeling of tenderness, followed by an overpowering dose of protectiveness, rushed through him. Katie looked straight at him, making it difficult to believe that she couldn’t see him. She appeared as dazed at what had happened as he.
“No, I didn’t.” Trace ran the back of his hand against her cheek for one more touch. “Happy Birthday, Katie. I ought to apologize for kissing you, but I couldn’t help myself, and I ain’t sorry.”
She opened her mouth as if to speak. Loud voices drifted in from somewhere outside. Trace swore again. He took a hasty step back and led Katie toward the barn door. What a harebrained thing he had done, bringing her to the stables. He sure as hell didn’t want to put Katie in a compromising position, but that’s exactly what he’d done. Being in a barn, alone with a man at night, would surely raise some eyebrows, or worse.
Trace squinted against the bright light from several lanterns in the doorway. A woman gasped loudly. Next to him, Katie stiffened, and she cursed quietly.
“Katherine Elizabeth, what in heaven’s name do you think you’re doing?” Chantal’s shrill voice echoed through the barn. A horse at the other end whinnied in response. “We’ve been worried sick about you.”
“There was no need to worry, Mother. I didn’t get lost and I’m perfectly fine,” Katie said firmly and took a step forward. “I wanted to visit the foal, and Trace was nice enough to bring me.”
Trace squinted to see against the glare from the lantern one man held up. Chantal, flanked by three men dressed in fine suits, filled the barn door. Wilma stood just outside the shadows of the light with another man, the one who’d been with Katie. He held a white handkerchief to his face.
“Sebastian came to find me, in a near panic. He said the two of you had gone for a stroll to get better acquainted, when someone came and beat him, then abducted you,” Chantal continued in her overly loud voice.
She shot a piercing glare at Trace. He released Katie’s hand and stepped toward Chantal, laughing. He looked to the man he’d hit. He still held the handkerchief to his nose, a hint of fear on his face when their eyes met.
“Sebastian has a strange way of getting acquainted with a lady,” he scoffed. “Did he happen to mention that he was behaving rather inappropriately with Katie?”
Chantal’s eyes narrowed on him, her hands on her hips. “Sebastian is my daughter’s betrothed. He asked for her hand this evening, and I gave my consent. I hardly doubt that anything inappropriate occurred.”
Her head snapped to Katie. “Go back to the house, Katherine, before you embarrass yourself, or me, any further. Wilma and Sebastian will escort you.” She grabbed for Katie’s arm.
“I won’t go back to the house.” Katie pulled her arm out of her mother’s grasp. “Trace did nothing but come to my aid when Sebastian kissed me without my permission.” She leaned toward her mother, rather than step back before she continued. Trace stood close enough to hear Katie’s next words, which she whispered against her mother’s ear, her voice strained. “Which is more than you ever did for me, Mother.”
Trace touched her hand. “Maybe you ought to go back to the party with Wilma, Katie. We can talk later,” he said quietly. This was not the time, nor the place, with all these witnesses, to cause a scene. It didn’t matter what others thought of him, but he’d put Katie in a compromising position by taking her further away from the house. These high-falutin’ pansies might take great pleasure in spreading rumors.
He couldn’t hold back a smile, knowing she didn’t want to go back and that she spoke up in his defense. Katie’s lips drew together in a tight line, and she looked ready to explode. He grinned at the anger on her face. His heart swelled with pride . . . and love. The fact that Chantal had declared Katie betrothed mattered little. Engagements could be broken, and he’d bet his boots that Katie hadn’t consented.
“Come along, Katherine.” Wilma stepped forward almost reluctantly, concern in her voice. She took hold of Katie’s hand. Her eyes connected with Trace, and his grin widened. She shook her head and frowned in disapproval.
Katie’s head turned toward him, an indecisive wrinkle on her forehead. “Go, Katie,” he nudged. “I need to have a word with your mother.”
Chantal huffed. “I will most definitely be speaking to you, in private, Mr. Hawley.” She spat his name. Trace chuckled. He couldn’t recall her ever addressing him as Mr. Hawley.
“We can talk right here, or would you like to go somewhere else?” Trace met her blazing eyes. “My office is at the other end of the barn.”
This confrontation was not going to be pleasant, but he was ready for it.
Chantal turned to the men who’d come with her. She assured everyone that she had the situation handled, and would be along after having a few words with her foreman.
She waited for the men to leave before she advanced on him. Even in the dim lantern light, her eyes gleamed. She looked like some mythical dragon, ready to spew fire at any moment.
“You will not stand in my way and take away what belongs to me,” she spat in a low, threatening voice.
Trace’s eyebrows rose. “I have no intention of taking anything from you, Chantal. My only concern is that your daughter gets treated fairly.”
Chantal smirked. “My daughter has never wanted for anything in her life. She will continue to have the best of everything.”
Trace rubbed his hand under his chin. “I know some horse owners who think about their animals the way you do about your daughter. They keep them locked up in fancy barns, isolated from their kind, and think it’s what’s best for them. Then they wonder why the horse acts up when it’s allowed out for a brief period of time, but always with a handler. What they fail to realize is that maybe the horse ain’t happy. Maybe it would rather run dirty through a field, be with its herd mates, and be allowed to act like a horse.”
“Spare me your tales, Trace. You can’t compare my daughter to a horse. She has a handicap, in case you haven’t noticed. She can’t be left to her own devices. And she’ll never find a husband on her own, with her blemish. I’m doing what’s best for her. ”
Trace laughed. “You’re doing what’s best for you, Chantal. Katie has lost her sight, but not her mind. She can decide for herself how to lead her life.” He stared at Chantal. “And, how to run this ranch when she’s ready.”
Chantal’s mouth dropped, and her eyes widened. “Katherine is blind, Trace. She will never be in charge of this ranch.” She took another step closer, her face inches from his. Her eyes glared daggers at him. Trace didn’t flinch. “And don’t think for a moment that you’ll get your hands on it, either. I know what you’re up to, pretending to show an interest in Katherine.”
Trace shook his head. “I’m not pretending, unlike that pansy you want to marry her off to.” His lips twitched in a smile. “I know why you’re so anxious to marry Katie to a man who’ll knuckle under whenever you bark out an order. Without her, you’ll lose everything.”
Chantal took a step back, still glaring at him. A fleeting look of panic passed through her eyes. Trace seized on the opportunity. He chuckled.
“I know all about that crazy will your father concocted, Chantal,” he whispered. Her eyes widened in shock. “And John picked me to marry Katie someday.”
Chantal stood silently for a moment, her eyes gleaming in the glow of the lantern. Pure hatred filled her stare. Finally, she laughed.
“So, he told you, did he? You must have been awfully young. John always had such a special interest in you. And now you’re planning on cashing in on that knowledge.”
Trace’s eyes narrowed. “I heard him talking to my father about it once, but even so, he wanted Katie to make her own choice in a husband.”
“And you’re going to make her think that you care about her,” she said sarcastically. Her face turned hard. “I have news for you, Trace. John is no longer alive to make the decisions.”
Trace smiled. “Believe what you want, but I do care about Katie, and she can decide for herself who she wants to marry.”
“This ranch has always, and will always, belong to me.” Chantal forced her words through gritted teeth. “My father was a sorry excuse for a man. He treated my mother poorly because she couldn’t give him a son. Then he took that anger out on me. He may have written that will, thinking to keep me from what’s due to me, but there are ways around it. Just as he thought so little of a woman, I have only one use for a man. Katherine will do what I say, and marry whomever I choose.”
