A Daring Passion. Rosemary Rogers

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ is no longer alive?”

      “No, she died when I was just a child.”

      “As did mine,” he murmured, his voice so low she barely heard the words. Raine stilled as his expression softened with what might have been sorrow, but before she could speak the taunting smile was back with a vengeance. “I suppose it must be difficult for you?”

      “Sharing a carriage with you? Yes, extraordinarily difficult.”

      His gaze flicked over her with a callous assessment. “I meant being trapped among the rustics. You must be a shimmering diamond among the dross. Such beauty and elegance. Do the local farmers and tradesmen come to worship at your feet?”

      Horrid, horrid man.

      “Are you always so offensive?”

      “Only to those who dare to attack my carriage and point a pistol at my heart.”

      Her hands clenched into tight fists in her lap, but she at least possessed the sense not to strike out. He was no doubt the sort who would strike back, even if she was a woman.

      “You cannot know how desperately I wish I had put a bullet through your heart.”

      His smile was suddenly genuine. “Then let this be a lesson to you, menina pequena, on the next occasion do not hesitate.”

      “Have no fear. I will not so much as blink.”

      An unexpected chuckle filled the carriage, flowing down Raine’s spine with a delicious warmth.

      “So savage, and not at all what one would expect from an English wench,” he murmured in appreciation. “They are usually so dull and bland. But then, what can one expect from such a cold, gray country?”

      Raine regarded him warily. She distrusted his heat as much as his ice. Indeed, the heat had proved far more dangerous.

      “England is not cold and gray,” she protested as she leaned back in her seat. “And its citizens are certainly not dull.”

      “No?”

      “No. Especially not those born in Kent. I will have you know that our motto is Invicta.”

      “Unconquered?” he easily translated.

      “Exactly.” A sense of pride flowed through Raine. She had always loved her home. The beauty of the rolling hills and fields. The gentle rivers. The lovely villages with their clapboard cottages and timbered halls. And the hardworking men and women who toiled each day to scrape a living from the earth. “We have produced men such as Wat Tyler and Jack Cade, who raised armies to seek justice for their neighbors. And Nelson himself lived in Chatham.”

      “And now, of course, you have the Knave of Knightsbridge.”

      “Yes, we do,” she said without the least hint of apology.

      “And I have his daughter.”

      There was a rap on the carriage window before Raine could reply, not that she knew what she intended to say.

      Philippe turned to lower the window and spoke in a low voice to Carlos, who was riding on Raine’s beautiful mare beside the carriage. They spoke too low for Raine to catch the words, but she didn’t doubt they were plotting something nefarious.

      Despicable pair of cads.

      With a smooth motion, Philippe closed the window and returned his attention to her angry countenance.

      “I suppose your friend has no compunction about kidnapping a young, defenseless woman, either?” she said bitterly.

      He tugged a curtain over the window. “At the moment he still believes you to be a young, defenseless lad. I think it best we keep it that way.”

      “Why? Does he possess the morals you lack?”

      The green eyes narrowed. “Very few, and none when it comes to a beautiful woman who is without the protection of her family. Do I make my meaning clear?”

      She swallowed heavily, wishing to heaven this was all just a terrible nightmare that she would wake from.

      Unfortunately the large male form consuming far more than his fair share of the carriage was all too real. As was the manner his gaze was straying over her body with increasing frequency.

      The fact that his glances were causing the strangest tingles in the pit of her stomach only deepened her anger.

      “You call my father a common criminal, but it is you and men like you that are truly evil. I hope someday you get your just rewards.”

      His lips twisted, as if he were not entirely pleased with his inner thoughts.

      “No doubt I shall, but until my villainous end arrives I intend to enjoy myself thoroughly.” He stretched out his legs and folded his arms over his chest. “Now, I suggest you attempt to get some rest before we reach town. I doubt you will sleep easily once you are tossed into a damp cell.”

      With maddening arrogance he closed his eyes, not only ensuring he had the last word, but proving that he wasn’t even the least frightened that she might try to harm him, or dare to escape.

      She gritted her teeth and spent the remainder of the cold trip fantasizing on the numerous methods of torturing a raven-haired devil.

      PHILIPPE PRETENDED SLEEP until they rattled through the outskirts of London and entered Mayfair. He had purchased his house in Grosvenor Square ten years before, when it had become evident his business would mean remaining in England for at least a few months a year.

      It was far too large and elegant for a bachelor, but since many noblemen had decided that it was more fashionable to reside in the newer squares of Portman and Cavendish, he had concluded it was too good a bargain to pass up.

      His investment instincts were flawless.

      His other instincts, at least at the moment, were open to question.

      Glancing across the carriage at the tiny woman who was glaring at him with a murderous intent, Philippe suppressed a sigh. Throughout the tedious journey he had been painfully aware of Raine Wimbourne. Even as he had feigned sleep his senses had been assaulted by her presence. The warm scent of lilacs, the soft sound of her breath, the brush of her slender leg against his own.

      It was as if she were branding herself deep into his awareness. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to stop her.

      Only a lifetime of rigid discipline had managed to keep him from reaching out and crushing her in his arms.

      Feeling the carriage sway as it descended into Brook’s Mews, Philippe straightened and buttoned his coat. He had commanded Carlos to tell Swann to take them directly to the stables. Not only did he dislike disturbing the elderly couple who were the only staff that actually resided in the house, but he had no intention of alerting the neighborhood he had kidnapped a young lady.

      It was the sort of thing that was bound to disturb the aging nobles.

      Once СКАЧАТЬ