A Code of Love (The Code Breakers 1) by Jacki Delecki Read Free Book Online Page B

closer to his body, guiding her into the awaiting carriage.
    Heat blasted from his body like an open fire, warming one side of her. She wanted to turn and melt into the blaze. She must have hit her head on the pavement, wanting to be held by a man who hadn’t changed at all since her first encounter with him.
    “I also hoped to speak with your Uncle Charles. I share his interest in hieroglyphics.”
    Her sensual haze evaporated, suspicions flaring in an instant. She couldn’t imagine him as an Egyptologist. How could she shield Uncle Charles from someone so intimidating?
    She never believed the rumor that he worked for the Abchurch office as a spy, not unless he had done it as a gambling wager or on a lark. There were many stories about his high life on the Continent—gambling, duels, and women—many stories about him and women.
    She lifted her eyes to catch a side glimpse of the man sitting next to her. The gloom of the day shadowed his face, giving his angles sharper edges, making him appear formidable.
    She wasn’t a young girl out of the schoolroom like when first she’d met him. With the death of her mother and the responsibilities she shouldered for her family, she possessed all the confidence to handle this powerful male.
    “I don’t recall you having any intellectual interests. Unless, of course, gambling qualifies as an intellectual challenge, since you must ponder numbers.”
    He twisted to look at her face. His blue eyes had darkened to the color of the storm clouds above them. “I’m impressed that you’re willing to voice an opinion concerning my interests. If I recollect correctly, you were never willing to take the time to countenance an acquaintance with me to further understand where my interests might lie.”
    “I didn’t need further acquaintance to comprehend your pursuits. They were quite apparent when we met three years ago. And by your behavior at Lady Wentworth’s ball, it doesn’t seem that your horizons have expanded.”
    “You’re clearly mistaken.” His tone was dispassionate. He had an air of domineering masculinity, which might be attractive to a woman who wanted to be bullied.
    She drew herself up, ready for battle. “Mistaken! I don’t think anyone at Lady Wentworth’s ball could be mistaken as to the nature of your relationship with the lady who accompanied you.”
    She revealed more than she had intended. Why did this man elicit the most overstrung reactions from her?
    “I was only commenting on your mistake regarding the length of time since our first meeting. It hasn’t been three years but four years since I had the pleasure of dancing with you. If I remember correctly, I danced with you twice at Lady Chillington’s Ball.” His gaze locked with hers and carried a distinct challenge.
    Of course, it had been four years; it had been the year her mother became ill.
    How did he do it? How could he so quickly turn the tables on her?
    She refused to be further baited and retreated into icy silence for the remainder of the carriage ride. The ten-minute journey to Kendal House seemed like ten hours.
    She had recovered her composure by the time they approached home. She had to prevent Lord Rathbourne from visiting her uncle. “I appreciate your accompanying me home. I suggest you visit my uncle on another day. He’s been suffering from a mild illness and is quite indisposed.”
    “I’ll come to Kendal House tomorrow.”
    She found herself backing into the corner of the carriage, unwilling to enter into another verbal contest. Like her appearance, her emotions were ruffled and messy.
    The carriage stopped. She jumped forward, clearly communicating her need to remove herself from his presence.
    “Good day,” she said.
    “Let me accompany you to your door.”
    “It isn’t necessary. Brompton already has the door open.
    * * *
    Henrietta was gone without a backward glance. Cord wanted the laughing woman he had just glimpsed, the passionate woman with her green eyes