page_13

< previous page | page_13 | next page >

Page 13

| But sweet?" He rubbed his bearded chin. "I've learned not to give her cause to grow impatient or angry. That angelic face and mood of hers can change quickly from sweet to a strange blaze of fury when she's crossed. She's restless and indefatigably curious." |

| "She'd liven up any man's life," Crispin said, envy thick in his voice. He laughed awkwardly. "But it's hands off for me, mate. I understand that she's spoken for." |

| "That she is, and by damn, by me, not the aristocrat," Ashton said, his violet eyes gleaming over his thick bush of neatly trimmed beard. "But I won't rest easy until I get her out of Melbourne. Tonight isn't soon enough as far as I'm concerned." |

| "Maybe you'd best have a go with another lady," Rufus said, wringing the remainder of the champagne from his shoulder-length hair. "Someone who's willin' to share more than a business partnership with you, if you know what I mean." |

| "Aw, Ashton, don't pay this drongo no mind," Crispin encouraged. "She'll be right, it'll work out." |

| Ashton patted Crispin on the shoulder. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, mate," he said. "Sasha's the only one for me and I'd best go and protect my investment." He nodded toward a steep flight of stairs at the side of the building. "Go on upstairs to my room and get cleaned up. I'll talk to you later when you're smelling better. Right now you're no better than two street-rowdy rascals." |

| Chuckling, Rufus and Crispin ambled off and climbed the rickety stairs. Ashton turned and stared at the men who had their heads dipped low into |

< previous page | page_13 | next page >