abounded in trout and northern pike, was situated to the left of the house. A bam and corral were in the rear. The property stretched for miles in all directions before it reached the fences that marked the boundaries of Jared Bryant's Montana estate.
As was their custom in midsummer, the Bryants were in residence at their year-round home in London. Each spring they sailed from England to spend several months of leisure time at their estate. After months of life as a conservative English gentleman, Jared always looked forward to returning to the wide onen spaces and sprawling lands of Montana, where he had met his beloved Mariah. Despite the owners' absence, the house was obviously being readied for company. Colorful Aubusson rugs and brilliantly embroidered tapestries were hung over clotheslines at the back of the house, and the windows were opened wide to air the rooms.
Only one room was darkened-the fair-sized room in the servants' quarters that had been set aside for the housekeeper. The shades were drawn on its two windows, the heavy curtains pulled tight against the glare of a late morning sun.
No one was about to hear the low, muffled moans that issued from the room, the breathless cries of ecstasy on a silent, spring morn; no one to discover that the proper, red-headed daughter of the very pious, very righteous Reverend Solomon Sparks lay pinned to the bed, encouraging her darkly tanned lover to greater prowess.
Dev Cantrell was pleased to answer Sally's needs-more than pleased, he was appreciative and a bit overcome by the wild abandon that had surfaced after he'd managed to persuade her that there were more pleasant ways to pass a morning than dusting furniture.
As his lips planted a trail of searching kisses across Sally's bountiful breasts, Dev reminded himself to be more observant in the future. He should have known there was something simmering beneath the girl's religious maiden lady facade. The bright fiery hair that was always bound in a severe knot, the plain, prim dresses. Sally had done her best to keep her virtue intact by appearing as unattractive as possible. More'n likely with the full approval of that Hellfire'n' brimstone spouting pa of hers!
"Oh, Dev ... oh, I never …" Sally's voice trailed off to a whisper, a gasp that built to a shuddering sigh as Dev noted her obvious enjoyment and increased the pace of his movements. Her plump, white thighs were draped over his shoulders, easily facilitating the deepest penetration of the soft, rosy flesh, allowing his hard, pulsing length to enter and withdraw, to enter again until dark, golden-brown curls met and fused with coppery red. A gleam of sweat frosted skin so white it appeared as translucent as fine china.
Sally's eyes closed as her head whipped from side to side, letting the feelings her prudish nature had dammed flow forth unrestrained. Dev's lean body mastering her own set her pulses racing madly, chasing away inhibitions that had kept her alone and frustrated for many years. One scream escaped her as the sensations that assaulted her mounted to a feverish, unbearable pitch. Dev's mouth ground against her bruised lips, claiming the cry of ecstasy even as it left her. Together they rode the crest of aroused passion, their bodies straining together, heated flesh against flesh until the last ounce of pleasure was exacted.
Dev eased himself away from Sally, collapsing at her side with a weary but satisfied sigh. He was drenched in sweat, and every muscle seemed to tingle from the exertion. A quick glance at Sally brought a grin of satisfaction at the dazed happiness on her face.
Dev was not arrogant, but a sure confidence in himself and his ability to stir a woman into passionate abandon showed in every movement of his lean, muscled body. He settled back now, resting his head on one arm. Even in repose, his strong, angular features radiated the pride and innate self-possession of a young lion.
His face was large but in no way raw or