Lynna's Rogue by Kitty Margo Page A

in her throat. His lips caressed hers, kissing her long and hard until she broke away and proceeded to unbutton his trousers.
                  “Damn!” she had sworn , after hearing her brother Samuel calling her name from only a few feet away. “We ’ ll continue this later,” she had promised, pausing long enough for one last lingering kiss. “To be perfectly honest, I am sorely tempted to ignore my brother’s ra ther persistent calls, since I have no doubt that a tumble in the grass with you would be well worth a few lectures on propriety. But then again, it might be best not to press my luck. Samuel might very well b ecome furious enough to send me home. And besides, there sh ould be plenty of time to become better acquainted with you, Captain Jordan. After al l, this is the season of parties, and I will be attending them all, especially now that you are making the party circuit .” She hurried back into his waiting arms for one more kiss before darting through the garden and back into the house.
                  Joshua feared that she would be greatly affronted to learn he had not so much as given her a fleeting thought since that night.
                  “Joshua, dear, you haven’t heard a word I said,” Beth chided .
                  “ I am truly sorry, Beth. Please, forgive my rudeness. I suppose I am more tired than I thought. What with docking the ship, packing, and the ride home , I am tired enough to fall asleep right here.” He chose not to mention the hours of strenuous activity with the nimble Resa.
                  “Well then, you should!” Suzanne leaned toward him with hard to conceal excitement and was quick to suggest, “Beth has oodles of beds in this big old house, and you could sleep here and ge t a fresh start in the morning. Oh, please say you will stay the night, Joshua! I could ride home with you in the morning. I have been in tending to visit Malinda, but just can never seem to find the time.”
                  “Joshua knows without being told that he is welcome to visit us anytime.” Beth cast a sharp glance at her overzealous sister - in - law. “ I am sure he is anxious to inform his family that he has arrived home safely. Malinda was here just yesterday and said her parents were eag erly waiting their son’s homecoming , Suzanne. We can not expect to monopolize all his time. But, if you will recall, you complained of a simply vicious headache and did not venture downstairs once during his sister’s visit.” Beth rose, gave Suzanne a pointed look, and giving Joshua one last welcoming hug , escorted him to the door. “You won’t be a stranger now, will you? I have no doubt they wi ll be keeping you busy over at Sea Grove, but do stop by to see us as often as you can.”
                  Joshua clasped her small hand in his larger one. “You just try keeping me away, Tiny.” Shaking Samuel's hand , Joshua asked, “Could I impose on you now and then for advice? I fear I may be a bit rusty on plantation affairs.”
                  “Call on me anytime.” Samuel intended to walk with him outside, but after a meaningful nod from his sister , Samuel bid Joshua good night at the door and escorted an exasperated Beth back inside.
                  “Samuel, Joshua is tuckered out and would most likely prefer not to be bothered by your sister's simpering ways tonight.”
                  “Joshua is a big boy, honey. If he doesn’t care to be bothered, I am sure he will not hesitate to say as much to my sister.”
                  Turning to bid Suzanne good night, Joshua found her draping a lacy shawl over her shoulders. “ I am going for a stroll in the fresh air. It is such a pleasant evening.”
                  “Enjoy your walk, Suzanne. I am exhausted and headed for home.” A cool night wind blew across the land as he started