Read Shattered Rainbows for Free Online

compelling presence that enabled him to dominate a room without saying a word. She suspected that quality came from bone-deep confidence.
    Though she had enjoyed talking to him, he was unsettlingly perceptive. She must take care that Major Kenyon did not get a chance to see below the polished surface she had worked so hard to perfect.
    Odd that she was thinking of him so formally. Usually she preferred being on first-name terms with the officers around her. Her instincts must be saying that she should lot let him get too close. Luckily she was an expert at
keeping men at a safe distance.
    Shaking her head, she went to her bedroom to work on a basketful of mending. There was nothing like darning to
bring one down to earth.
    Catherine was about to go downstairs to check on the progress of dinner when her husband came in. "There are several new horses in the stables."
    Colin took off his black leather helmet and tossed it onto the bed. "Good ones, too. Have we acquired a new billet mate?"
    She nodded and made a small, precise stitch. "Major Lord Michael Kenyon of the Rifles. He sold out last year, but Napoleon's escape persuaded him to return. He's on the duke's staff, at least for now."
    Colin's brows rose. "One of the high-born officers that Old Hookey likes
because they can dance as well as they fight." He took off his jacket and shirt.
"Could be a useful man to know. Did he act like he might go all soft over you?"
    She looked down and bit off a knot, wishing Colin wasn't quite so blatant in his self-interest. It was true that an attractive wife was an asset to an officer, but she hated it when he urged her to flirt with his superiors. The first time he had done that, she had balked. He had been quick to point out that it was a wife's duty to promote her husband's -career. The unspoken implication was that she was an unsatisfactory wife in other ways. After that, she had done as he wished.
    Though Lord Michael had obviously admired her looks, she was reluctant to expose him to Colin's speculations. Casually she said, "Major Kenyon showed no sign of being smitten by my infamous charms, I don't know about his dancing skills, but he fought in
most of the major Peninsular campaigns."
    "Sounds like a good addition to the house. Be extra charming—I'm overdue for promotion to major, and Kenyon must have influence with the duke."
    "You'll get your promotion soon." She sighed. "There "should be ample opportunities for glory in the next few months."
    "I certainly hope so." As Colin began changing into his dress uniform, his brow furrowed. "Kenyon… The name is familiar." He snapped his fingers. "Now I recall. After the Battle of Barossa, he had a commemorative medal struck for the men he commanded. Said they had done such an outstanding job that they deserved to be honored." Colin laughed. "Can you imagine doing such a thing for a company of drunken soldiers?"
    Catherine gave him a cool glance. "I think he's right— exceptional bravery should be celebrated. The Rifles are some of the finest troops in the army, and part of the reason is because officers are encouraged to know and respect their men."
    "Common soldiers aren't like us. His precious troops probably sold the medals for drink." Her husband ran a comb through his light brown hair. "I'm going to dine with friends. It will probably run late, so I won't be back tonight."
    She wondered with detachment who the woman was. The ladies of Brussels were most hospitable to the allied officers who had come to save them from having to endure the emperor's yoke again.
    She rose and collected his crumpled shirt and linen for the laundry basket. "Have a pleasant evening."
    "I will," he said cheerfully.
    She didn't doubt it.
    Michael dined with army friends who were posted in the area. It was good to see them, though he took considerable ribbing over the fact that he couldn't seem to stay away from the army.
    Predictably, conversation centered around the military situation. While