Angel In My Bed by Melody Thomas Read Free Book Online

than show her fear to the likes of anyone in this room, but she was already turning to run from the room.
    David grabbed her before she reached the door. Somehow, he had made it past two chairs, a curio table, and a delicate crystal lamp to reach her before she’d taken five steps. “Meg—”
    â€œLet go of me!”
    Spinning her into the solid restraint of his body, David turned with her in his arms and faced Kinley. “You’ve known she was Colonel Faraday’s target from the beginning. How?”
    â€œWe were never even sure she was alive,” Kinley mumbled, yanking his black waistcoat over his belly. “We had to find her first, and you did that.”
    Clearly, Kinley had an inflated opinion of his own consequence, Victoria thought, certain she could escape if she could get away from David. No lock had been made that she couldn’t pick. She would be free before the overstuffed fool knew what happened. Better to run than bring her father down on Sir Henry or face a public trial in London and forever leave a mark of shame on her son. Hadn’t her father always accused her of bringing ruin to everyone she’d ever loved? She wouldn’t do it!
    â€œI voluntarily surrender myself to interrogation,” she said.
    â€œIs that right?” David demanded.
    She whirled to face him. The very air crackled as they faced each other, two opponents in an unfinished duel, awareness arcing between them like live sparks. “Kinley can take me to London and learn for himself that I do not know where any treasure is.”
    David took a seat on the arm of a chair and surveyed her in that lazy, perilous way of his, as good at hiding his feelingsas she was. “We won’t catch Faraday without her.” David shifted the brunt of his gaze to Kinley. “Or have you forgotten the primary objective of this mission?”
    â€œHe’s right, Kinley,” the blond Adonis agreed. “If Faraday wants her, it makes sense to keep her here.”
    Panic infused every limb in her body, but she froze as David returned his attention to her. “Rockwell, send a note to Lady Munro’s family and tell them she left last night to deliver a baby. Then tell them she had a riding accident on the road.”
    â€œThey won’t believe you,” Victoria whispered. “I’ve never fallen off my horse.”
    â€œMaybe Meg Faraday isn’t as skilled a rider as Victoria Munro thinks she is.” His unfathomable eyes seemed to challenge her. He was handsome, devastatingly so, and if she was not convinced that he was taunting her on purpose, she would have flown at him. “What is there not to believe?” he asked. “I’ve seen the bruises myself.”
    â€œNaturally. Do include my concussion with the accounting of your brutal behavior toward my person as well as drugging me senseless.”
    His eyes were on her. “As well as your attempt to shoot me?”
    She answered with equal focus. “If I had ever wanted you dead you would not be standing here now. There is nothing you can do to entice me to help you.”
    â€œNothing?” he asked. “It is common knowledge that Sir Henry’s estate went up on the block for overdue taxes.”
    â€œOverdue?” she scoffed, wondering how he would know such a thing. “The chief magistrate would steal from his own uncle.”
    â€œWhat if we could get Sir Henry’s estate back, Meg? Would you help us then?”
    â€œBloody hell with that,” Kinley protested, the epitome of skepticism. “An hour ago you were ready to roast her on a spit. This is insane.”
    David folded one arm loosely over the other. As he awaited her reply, she was aware of his eyes on her face, and looked away. His hands were dark against the white of his sleeves, and he wore a gold wedding ring on his right hand. Her fingers went to the loose band on her own hand. She had not noticed the band on