Coins and Daggers by Patrice Hannah Read Free Book Online

of the sort? Why should I expect your
precious lord to care now for my well-being when in
the last day he hasn’t offered me much as a drop of
water?”
    “I’ve asked myself the same question
countless times.” He turned from her and went to position himself
nearer to the door. “I am only doing my duty.”
    A soft knock came on the door and Audelia
swallowed tightly. It must be the Lord St. Rosso, himself. Easing
quickly out of the bed, despite her fatigued limbs, she moved to
stand in the far corner of the exquisite room. As much as she found
the bed comfortable and far from anything she could remember, the
last thing she wanted was for the guv to see her enjoying his
luxurious hospitality.
    But instead of the formidable dark-haired
guv she’d remembered, in walked a god with rich golden hair and a
pleasing countenance. Audelia somehow expected civility from this
one.
    “Ah, she’s awaken,” the man said, nodding to
the guard and then at her. “My name is Edwin Montagu, your
voluntary companion for the time being.”
    Oh, so he was Edwin . “What do
you want?”
    “Just a word with you.” He turned to say
something softly to the guard, who left the room momentarily.
“Shall we?”
    Eyes trained on the man, Audelia remained
where she was, watching intently as he surveyed the room with a
reflective light in his eyes. If she would allow herself just a
moment’s observation, she might have found it stunning too. But she
had to remain alert lest she get caught up in this farce. There was
no way she could trust these men. What she must consider is finding
a way to escape the place at the soonest opportunity.
    “And where is your Lord St. Rosso?”
    “Running errands, I believe.” He paused to
look at the food tray. “I suppose you’d be terribly hungry after
such a spell.”
    “I am in no need of your hospitality.”
Audelia dragged her gaze from the tray and glared. “Am I to be
hanged now?”
    Edwin chuckled but his brows were knitted
with slight concern. “You are quite eager to die, aren’t you?”
    “ I’m quite
eager to leave and if death is the only way, sir , then so
be it.”
    “You know...” Edwin walked slowly across the
room, stopped at the window near the bed and stared out a moment
before facing her again. “For some reason, you strike me as the
type of wench who knows how to make a good bargain.”
    What was he
saying? Audelia took one
careful step backwards. “I might be a thief but I’m no
whore.”
    His brow arched only a moment, slight
surprise crossing his features. “Of course not. The bargain I speak
of is far closer along the lines of morality, I assure you. And I
have a great feeling that you will be interested.”
    A tingling sensation at the back of her head
told Audelia that she was in for quite a treat. A treat that might
come back to nip her in the arse.
     
    * * *
     
    “ T he town air is quite
refreshing.” Lady Ryia spoke between slow sips of her tea. Tucking
a bite-sized piece of loaf in her mouth, she chewed slowly. “Am I
correct to doubt you would know anything of that,
Bryce?”
    Ulric
straightened from where he was leaning against the closed door. He
had fully intended on returning to his study to address the
dealings of his journal when his sister had accosted him and
dragged him to this room .
    “I must admit that I don’t visit the town
regularly.”
    Glancing occasionally around the room, he
was almost surprised at how unfamiliar it all seemed. It was the
very same sitting room that their dear mother, Lady Katarin, had
often used to entertain her many guests. It was also in this
sitting room that the Baron Hyslop had declared his intentions
towards Ryia and made their betrothal official. It was a room of
many memories.
    Lady Ryia smoothed her teal skirts over her
knees and took another sip. “Whyever not?”
    “Why does this surprise you when you,
yourself, has declared how much of a recluse I am?”
    “Hope, dear brother. It has much to do