Read Baroness for Free Online

curdled British brogue.
    â€œWhat did he want?” Dash said over his shoulder to Pem.
    â€œHe asked if we knew the way to Scotland.”
    They laughed, and Rosie felt Dash slip his hand into hers. Warm and strong, he wove his fingers through hers and tucked her close to him.
    Pem and Blanche fell back, stopping at a wooden footbridge. It seemed as if Dash had no compunction to wait for them. He wandered down to a grassy patch and settled them on a bench. The Seine lapped against the shore, a whisper as the moon traced a finger down the middle.
    â€œA guy could fall in love with you, Rosie, if you gave him a little encouragement.” He ran his hand under her chin, drew her face to his.
    â€œHe could?” Oh, too much hope in her voice, but she didn’t mind it when Dash smiled and leaned close.
    â€œCould be halfway there, already.”
    Then, just as she hoped, he slid his hand to her face and kissed her. He tasted of wine and sweet dark chocolate, and she let herself into his arms, returning the kiss. He ran his arms around her and pulled her closer, deepening his ardor, and the adventure in it ignited something dangerous inside her. She curled her arms up around his shoulders and hung on.
    He finally eased away, left her hungry for more, and smiled down at her. “You are a lovely thing, aren’t you?”
    â€œAm I?”
    He tweaked her on the nose and winked, pressing another kiss to her lips as he caught her face in his hands. “Of course.”
    She leaned against him, settling into his arms, relishing them around her. “I went to Sarah Bernhardt’s funeral today. All of Paris turned out for it.”
    He had his lips against her neck.
    â€œWouldn’t that be grand? To see your name on a marquee? To have strangers throw you flowers and weep over you?”
    He had his arm around her shoulders, drawing her back to him. She heard him chuckle, a low rumble in his chest. “Rosie. You have such fancy dreams.”
    She leaned away from him, turned. He met her eyes, humor in them.
    â€œDon’t you think I could be an actress? Maybe in the picture shows?”
    His gaze dipped to her mouth, back up to her eyes. “I think you are a pretty girl on the loose in Paris who’s had too much Pernod.” He tried to touch his forehead to hers, but she jerked away.
    â€œI haven’t had a drop to drink tonight. Besides, you’re one to talk, Dash. Fresh out of Harvard, your father’s millions in your back pocket, idling away your life in Paris. You’re the one who’s had too much Pernod.”
    â€œC’mon, Red, don’t be sore. Sure, you could be in the movies. It’s just that I think you’re destined for a different life. Your father has millions—”
    â€œHe’s my stepfather—”
    â€œAnd he’ll want to marry you off to some wealthy duke who can give you a title and keep you in diamonds.”
    She wanted to slap him then, something brash and hot inside her. “What if I don’t want that? What if I think marriage is outdated and bourgeoisie ? What if I don’t plan to ever get married?”
    The last thing she expected was his slow, languid smile. “Doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love, right?”
    When he kissed her again, she had already agreed. He confused her so, and her breath caught in her chest when he pulled away, kissed her forehead, her eyes.
    â€œAnd what of you, Dash? Don’t you dream big dreams?”
    â€œI don’t have dreams.” He found her eyes, searching them for a long moment, smiled, something dangerous and intoxicating. “I have inspiration.”
    â€œThere you are!” Blanche called down from the embankment as Dash broke away from her. “Come up here, you two. Pem is bleeding!”
    Dash untangled himself from her, and she followed as he scrambled up to the street.
    Pem sat on the sidewalk, his hands to his nose, blood on his