Killara at sunset—there was no place in the world she would rather be, Cara Delaney mused as she stood on the roof of the keep of the homestead and gazed across the valley to the far distant mountains. The sunset had turned the wide sky above the valley into a living painting of brilliant colors: crimson and gold. magenta and vermilion. As always, the scene took Cara’s breath away, and she never tired of watching it.
A wind swept across the valley and picked up the hem of her topaz silk dinner dress. The skirt, made up of yards and yards of tiny pleats, lifted and billowed in the air, the topaz color shimmering like the rays of the sun.
In utter Joy Cara raised her arms and began to swirl and dance around the keep, breathing in the crystal-clear air.
To the man watching, she was the epitome of beauty—a whirl of silver hair, topaz silk, and golden limbs. She twirled and she twirled, right into the arms of her husband.
“I knew I would find you up here,” Burke murmured, closing his arms possessively around her.
Flushed and breathless, she laughed. “And I knew you would come and find me.”
“Of course. I always will.”
Cara twined her silken arms around her husband’s neck and threw back her head. “Oh, Burke, before I met you I never knew there could be such happiness.” Suddenly she danced out of his arms. “Burke! Let’s go for a ride before dinner. Please?”
Burke smiled his consent. Quicksilver. Cara would always be his quicksilver girl.
The hooves of the two powerful Arabians, Shalimar and Sheikh, thundered over the ground as Cara and Burke raced across the valley toward the setting sun. They had chased the setting sun together countless times, yet it was always new and exhilarating to them.
The sun continued its descent, the colors in the sky above them changed, and after a time they reined in the Arabians to a walk.
“I heard from Cougar today.” Burke said.
Cara grinned. “And I heard from Bridget. They just refuse to take their retirement seriously, don’t they?”
“You’re right about that. Cougar was calling about a new security system he’s devised, in his spare time, he said.”
“Bridget was calling to check up on Mrs. Copeland. She said, ‘Ach! That Esther Copeland is a good enough housekeeper. I suppose, but I just know that she could do with a little supervision every so often, now, don’t I?’ ”
Burke’s green eyes sparkled with laughter and matched the brilliance of the Delaney emerald he wore on his hand. “Do you suppose the two of them are worried that we’ll find out that we can do without them?”
“That’s exactly what I think. Let’s invite them for a visit next week. I Just love to see the two of them together. They’re so sweet.”
“I’m sure they’d be mortified to hear you say so.”
“Well, they are. I love the way Bridget fusses over Cougar. catering to his every whim. And the way he can make her blush just by looking at her is marvelous.”
“I agree.”
“Oh, I forgot something!” Cara reached for her husband’s hand, and they both drew their horses to a standstill. “I’ve got some news I’ve been saving to tell you.”
Hope leaped Into Burke’s dark green eyes. and a tender smile curved Cara’s lips. “No, I’m not pregnant yet. But I know I will be soon. I can feel it. This time next year I’m willing to bet that well have a baby in the nursery of Killara.”
Burke reached for her, lifted her off Shalimar, and settled her across his lap. braced between the pommel and his stomach, as if she were riding sidesaddle. “I can’t stand it when you’re so far away from me.”
“Neither can L” She rested her head against his shoulder as Burke reined Sheikh around and headed him back to Killara. Shalimar followed. “Burke, you do want a baby, don’t you?”
“Why would you doubt it?” He sounded amazed.
“I guess because you never talk about it.”
“That’s because I’ve been very conscious about not tying you down, Cara. If I had my way, I’d probably lock you in the keep so that I could have you all to myself, but before we were married, you were accustomed to an extraordinary amount of freedom.”
She gazed up at him, wanting to see his face. “Freedom is loving you. Burke. Don’t you know that by now? I freely chose to love you and I’ve never regretted it for a moment. I’m only truly happy when I’m with you, and a baby would only add more joy to our lives.”
“Oh, Cara, I love you so much more than I ever thought possible.” His lips closed on hers for a gentle kiss. Cara sighed and twisted to get closer to Burke. The kiss continued and deepened as under the wide. darkening sky they headed home.
Later, at the dinner table. Burke said, “You never did tell me your news.”
Cara dropped her fork in astonishment. “I can’t believe that I didn’t tell you! And this news is important too! You shouldn’t sidetrack me like that!”
Somehow Burke managed to look innocent. “All I did was kiss you.”
Cara tried to frown, but didn’t quite pull it off. “Never mind.”
“Well? What’s the news?”
“Maggie called today from Shamrock with the most fantastic story about three sisters. You’re going to be amazed when you hear.” Cara’s face lighted with a sudden thought. “Burke. I have an idea!”
“You can have anything you want. but let’s wait until tomorrow.” Burke murmured.
“Burke. let’s go to Australia....”
The End
If you enjoyed Sydney, The Temptress, I would be honored if you would tell others by writing a review on the retailer’s website where you purchased this title.
Thank you!
Fayrene Preston