A Promise Given Read Online Free Page B

dropping to her bottom as
soon as the water reached her thighs. Swiftly she dragged her knees to her chest
and scowled at him.
    Little did she realize she still afforded him a most tantalizing view.
    "You-you rogue!" she sputtered. "What the devil do you think you're
doing?"
    He spread his hands wide, feigning affront. "What! I but enjoy the beauty of
the day. And indeed"—he gave an exaggerated leer—"there's much to be seen."
    He 'd shocked her. He could tell by the way her eyes flew wide.
    He sighed. "I know you, lass;” he remarked mildly. "You're angry."
    Her shock had begun to wane. If her glare could have blistered, he would be
naught but a pile of ash.
    "Of course I'm angry! You were spying on me!"
    He gave a slight inclination of his head. "Why, thank you, madam. I'm pleased
to note I did not frighten you."
    She let loose with a scathing denunciation that left no doubt as to her
opinion of him. Ian paid no heed. Boldly he strode forward. Bending low, he
scooped her clothes from the bank and flung them over his shoulder.
    Her tirade ceased midstream. "Ian! Wh-what are you doing?" She lurched
forward, only to remember her state of undress. She plopped back down in the
water.
    His gaze lingered on the bareness of her shoulders. Remembering himself, he
gave a low, gallant bow. "I but return the favor from so many years ago."
    Her face turned the color of the dawn.
    He continued. "Surely you've not forgotten the time you watched me running
naked from the stream, searching all about for my clothes."
    Her voice was but a whisper. "You—you knew?"
    Ian gave a robust laugh. "I knew, lass, though I was far less amused then
than I am now. But I've often wondered… did you like what you saw?"
    Her eyes flashed. "As I recall, there was little to see," she retorted
sweetly.
    Ian laughed even more gustily. "No doubt you're right," he agreed
good-naturedly. "I was but a lad—a bony one, at that. And coming from a cold
stream as it were, no doubt that which you sought to see was but a shriveled
little carrot."
    His regard dropped to her breasts, hidden behind the shield of her arms. "But
you, Sabrina," he said softly, "ah, lass, you've grown a bounty I'd not
expected.”
    “And you are still as insolent as ever!"
    "And you, I see, are still the bonny bratling."
    He crossed his arms over his chest. "You'd best come out. Your lips are
turning blue. I will act as your maid."
    Her mouth opened, then closed. "You will not!" she managed at last.
    He braced his legs wide apart and raised a brow.
    Thus began a contest of wills. He meant it to be a joke, to tease her, but
her regard flamed hotter than a blazing sun in the desert.
    "You are a jackass!"
    He inclined his head. "Indeed."
    "A wretched beast. The most loathsome creature ever to walk this land—"
    "I've no objection to waiting all night, if need be." His tone was as smooth
as oil.
    She fell silent. The minutes dragged, one into another. Her teeth began to
chatter. Ian was faintly irritated at her stubbornness when at last she
spoke.
    "Turn your back."
    It spun through his mind to refuse, for her tone was no less than a demand.
One dark brow came up. But she must have gleaned his intent, for she made a
faint choked sound.
    "P-please." She blinked, those brilliant green eyes suspiciously bright.
    Ian stared. Tears? From the bonny bratling? He scoffed. Nay, not Sabrina.
    He heard the long, ragged breath she drew in. "Ian—"
    "Just a moment." His tone was gruff. Abruptly he turned his back. Yet some
devil had seized hold of him, for he did not leave, nor did he remove her
clothes from his shoulder. Instead he remained where he was.
    Behind him, water splashed.
    He could feel her directly behind him. Her linen chemise was snatched from
his shoulder as if she feared he would turn at any instant. And indeed, he was
tempted—mightily tempted. Deep within him, he was startled by that temptation.
Yet another part of him was appalled. Oh, he could not