Read Kiss Me, Kate for Free Online

dark of the night—not even where the lantern on the outside of the carriage swung on its post, flickering and sputtering its breath of fire with each forward rush.
    “No one will see that we are hardly clothed,” George assured her.
    She reached for one of his brocaded buttons on his waistcoat and fingered the soft material decorating it. She was suddenly nervous. “What will we do, George?”
    “Nothing more than love each other, my darling.” His hold on her face was gentle. “You’re frightened of what will happen?”
    She nodded her head.
    “You needn’t be. This is no place to consummate our union. I only want to see more of you. And I think you want the same.”
    “I do.” She felt her face heat with the admission.  
    He wrapped his arms tightly around her, holding her against his chest and resting his chin atop her head. She released his buttons as he held her close. Snaking her hand beneath the material, she rested it against his pounding heart.
    “Try to sleep some, Kate. I’ll wake you when we are close to the posting house. We’ll even stop for breakfast. Matthew needs to switch out with my coachman at the posting inn.”
    “What about my father? He won’t be far off.”
    “We’re taking a slight detour on our trip to Scotland.”
    “What kind of a detour?”
    “The kind that keeps your father off our tail. He’ll probably arrive before us, but this gives us an opportunity to rest when needed. Gives the horses a break, too, instead of changing them out at every posting house.”
    George stretched out his legs to the other bench, reached for his jacket, and spread it over both of them.
    She yawned as she spoke and wasn’t sure whether George could make out what she said or not, but was too tired to attempt speaking again. “You’ve thought of everything.”
    And then she was asleep.
     
    Chapter 5
    George rubbed his hand over Kate’s arm where it curled under his face. She stirred above him and stretched her feet down to the carriage floor, arching her back and pressing her bound breasts into his side.
    “It’s time to rise, darling. We’ll need to rest up the horses and ourselves if we are to continue on by midmorning,” he said.
    She covered a long yawn as she sat on the bench next to him and tried to flatten the wrinkles in her dress. The sun poured over her and he was struck by how beautiful she looked with the yellow rays lighting her skin. 
    He leaned closer to her and pressed his lips against hers. “Have I told you how happy I am that we will spend the rest of our lives like this—together? You look lovely and well rested, despite the rickety ride here.”
    “George, don’t be silly.” She smoothed her hair back and gave another yawn. “I’m sure I look dreadful and you’re wondering how fast you can escape the carriage to put some distance between us.”
    He chuckled. “Never. You were too amusing with that light snore while you slept.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “I—I do not snore!”
    He smiled and gave her another quick kiss just as the carriage rounded the front entrance of the inn. “It was music to my ears and a reminder that you belong to me now.”
    “Don’t sound so barbaric.” She pinned her braid in a bun. “I belong to myself.”
    “If you say so.” This time when he leaned in for a third kiss, she pulled back.
    “George, there are people outside. What should they think with you kissing me in full daylight for all to see?”
    “That we are madly in love.” He kissed her anyway and moved to the opposite bench. “I nearly forgot—” He reached into his vest pocket. “—a token for our upcoming union.”
    The small ring of gold was warm from being tucked close to his heart. He took her hand when she seemed transfixed on the object he held.
    “But we’re not yet married.”
    “In our hearts we most certainly are.”
    He slipped the ring around the third finger. It fit perfectly. Besides, the ring was necessary to avoid questions and