Emerald Desire (Emerald Trilogy) Read Online Free Page A

raised his cane, ready to strike, but Quint stood defiantly, his chest thrust forward.
    Dera quickly stepped in front of Lord Fairfax. "Quint means no harm. We've been acquaintances since childhood."
    Avery lowered the threatening cane to his side. "I see. Finish tending the horse," he ordered Quint.
    Dera glanced in Quint's direction. He turned his back and sullenly rubbed down the stallion. She thought it odd that under Quint's hands, the animal calmed.
    "I want you to choose a name for this animal," Avery reminded her. She looked at the horse again and then at Quint. She sensed the hatred and pent up anger in both creatures and the name she chose applied to both.
    "Devil Man," she said.
    "Devil Man it shall be." Avery smiled broadly at her and took her hand in his. "There are other mounts I wish to buy, so I'll return you to your uncle's care, my dear."
    "That's very kind, your lordship, but I'll seek him out myself." She was eager for him to leave so she could talk to Quint alone.
    "As you wish, but I shall see you again. Have I your permission to visit you in your uncle's house?" His question startled her. If Lord Fairfax wished to visit, there was no reason to ask her permission. He had the authority to intrude at any time. She wondered if he had another motive, but she pushed it to the back of her mind, hoping he meant only to be gallant and kind.
    "Yes, your lordship," she said quietly. Her attention was drawn to Quint who was savagely rubbing down Devil Man. Avery smiled again and kissed her hand. His lips lingered a trifle too long for comfort. Then he ambled away into the crowd as people made way for his passage.
    She riveted her gaze upon Quint. He refused to turn around and then made a big to-do about polishing Lord Fairfax's saddle, as if he purposely avoided speaking with her.
    Hurt welled within her. She hadn't expected the day to turn out this way, starting with Uncle Timothy's distrust, then Jem's attack and Lord Avery's defense of her. Now it appeared that Quint was to be her biggest problem. She stepped nearer to him, but still he didn't deign to notice her. "You don't have to sulk, Quint. His lordship only asked to see me out of politeness. I've no intention of encouraging him. You know my feelings," she said softly.
    He jerked around with a quick movement, his mouth set in a thin line, anger flashing in his dark eyes. "I know nothing of the sort, Dera! I could have stopped Jem, except the great and almighty lord was swifter. I really don't know how you feel. Perhaps the years have changed you--as they have me."
    "Have you changed?" she asked fearfully.
    "Aye, I have, and you have too. You're no longer the pretty child I pledged myself to that day in the meadow. You've grown more beautiful than I thought was possible. If only mother could have lived to see you now." In spite of himself, his eyes softened. "My feelings for you, Dera, are still the same. God, I want to kiss you right here!"
    She could resist no longer. Impulsively she threw herself into his arms, relishing the feel of his arms around her waist. She longed to kiss him deeply in the way she had imagined for so long, but he gently pushed her from him.
    "No," he said. "’Tis too dangerous."
    "We love one another. I don't care what anyone thinks!"
    "We can't risk being seen like this. Tonight I'll come for you, tonight at midnight in the meadow." He kissed her quickly and released her. "Now I must go. Fairfax might need my help with another of his mounts."
    He strode away and left her standing with Devil Man under the canopy. As Quint's broad shoulders disappeared into the throng, her heart constricted with joy because he still loved her.
    "Dera," Lydia touched her shoulder. "That wasn't very wise." Her blonde curls escaped from under her hood, the disapproval clearly showing on her pretty face and something like jealousy in her eyes. "Timothy would not have been pleased."
    Dera laughed at her concern. "It doesn't matter what he thinks. Quint is