Cynders & Ashe Read Online Free

joining our troops in Majorca – they will fight at our side.”
    “Yes, in Spain, but not in New York, or Maryland, or the Carolinas. Will they defend our hold in Canada?”
    He grunted and paced in front of her.
    “Bonaparte knew exactly what he was doing when he gave the Floridas to the Americans, and stirred their wrath against our Navy – as well deserved as it is.”
    “So you would criticize the might of the Royal Navy, you bold minx?”
    She nodded emphatically. “When they anger a sleeping bear, yes. Not one of those captains thinks of the consequences of taking a single American ship, but what will they do when that country’s Congress acts? When that country begins to build ships? Fleets of ships. They have a continent of forests. They can build frigates for the next hundred years – and man them. Can we?”
    He threw up his hands and strode away a few steps. “I can’t believe I am arguing this with a lady!”
    “And being bested,” she pointed out.
    “Routed!” he declared. “Your mother was entirely correct – you are unmanageable.”
    Ella didn’t feel the least bit insulted. “I daresay, you don’t mind.”
    This gave him pause and then he grinned. “No, I actually don’t. But if you tell anyone I’ve conceded—”
    She shook her head and crossed her fingers over her heart. “Never! I swear.”
    “It shall be our secret,” he told her, moving closer again. As he passed an orange tree, he reached and plucked a blossom from the branch and handed it to her. For a moment all Ella could do was gaze down at the delicate blossom cradled in her hand, for she didn’t dare look up at him.
    “Does your father still read you military tracts?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “My parents are both gone.”
    He paused and gazed at her. “I am so sorry. You have sisters?”
    “No, I am . . . I am all alone now.”
    “Not any longer,” he told her, taking her hand and leading her down the long aisle.
    The conservatory was glassed on three sides, running the length of the garden wall. A stove provided extra heat and lamps overhead illuminated the wild, exotic collection of plants flourishing in the artificial tropics. As they drew closer to the middle, the intoxicating scent of oranges in bloom curled around her, enticed her to come closer and inhale . . . deeply.
    “It is just like our garden in Portugal,” she told him, reaching out to touch the narrow leaf of a palm.
    “You lived in Portugal?”
    “Yes. Though not always. I was born in the West Indies. Then my father’s regiment was sent to Portugal.”
    “I imagine you find London quite different.”
    She laughed. “I find London ever so cold.”
    They both laughed.
    “Is it still a cold place?” he asked, drawing her into his arms.
    “No,” she said, shivering, and definitely not from London’s notorious chill.
    His hands, firm and warm, pulled her closer, until she was nestled right up against his chest. Her hands splayed over his surcoat, and marvelled at the hard plains beneath.
    Like a Templar reborn.
    “I don’t even know your name,” he whispered as he lowered his head, drew his lips closer to hers.
    “Does it matter?” she whispered.
    “No. Not really,” he said, his breath warm on her lips. And then that breath became his lips, covering hers and stealing a kiss.
    Ella didn’t know what to expect, but this . . . this invasion . . . this breach of her defences, left her breathless. His tongue sallied over her lips, teased her to open the gates, to let him storm forth. Everything she knew about defences gave way to his very expert onslaught.
    Besides, how was she not to let him in, when he was creating this breathless storm inside her?
    Desire, new and exhilarating, raced through her, as his hands held her even closer, began to explore her, running down her sides, curving around her backside.
    Ella was starting to burn.
    His kiss deepened and, instead of being frightened – as she supposed she should be, as she