Diana's Hound: Bloodhounds, Book 4 by Moira Rogers Read Free Book Online

start lording your brains over us common folk.”
    “That’s exactly what I’ll need.” His voice wasn’t breathless, but it seemed lower—or maybe she only wanted it to be. “Too much of anything is a bad thing, even brains. If you assume you already know everything, you stop thinking.”
    “We wouldn’t want that.” But we want other, more dangerous things, don’t we, Diana?
    Nate rubbed his thumb along her knuckles once before easing his hand free. “Before we arrive, we should talk about the last apology I owe you. Or rather, the first.”
    He really had rattled her brain. “I’m afraid I don’t remember why you were apologizing.”
    “Neither do I, specifically. But as for the general situation…” He cleared his throat. “On occasion, I drink too much. It makes me irritable and difficult, which makes it a stupid thing to do.”
    “Oh.” Explaining that her only regret was that he hadn’t been sober and willing would surely only make things more awkward. “Consider yourself forgiven.”
    “Thank you. I promise I won’t indulge in that particular vice while we’re in a dangerous situation.”
    He kept his gaze averted, and Diana leaned down, forcing him to look at her. “How drunk were you?”
    His smile was cold and careful—so careful she couldn’t see his fangs. “Drunk enough.”
    Drunk enough. She shivered, unaccountably hurt by his lack of recollection—and what he was really saying. If he’d been in possession of all his faculties, if he’d been in control, he wouldn’t have touched her at all.
    She straightened, folding her hands in her lap. A moment that had moved her, left her wanting, had been nothing more enduring than the burn of liquor in his veins. “I would appreciate your sobriety, especially while we’re in the Deadlands.”
    If he felt her withdrawal, any loss was hidden behind those dark eyes. “And you will have it.”
    Anger stabbed at her, sharp and hot, and she bit her tongue to hold back caustic words. Any emotion would betray weakness, and she’d already shown him so much. “Thank you.”
    He opened his mouth, as if to say something else, but closed it again. “You’re familiar with the area around Crystal Springs,” he said after a tense moment. “Do you know how close we are?”
    “Not far now.” It came out sounding brusque, so she took a deep breath and modulated her voice. “Watch for a stand of walnut trees. Doc had them shipped out, and the men planted them on the outskirts of town.”
    Nate nodded and turned his attention to the carriage’s small window. “I admit, I’m looking forward to meeting your friend again. She must be a rare sort of schoolteacher to have tamed an unapologetic scoundrel like Archer.”
    “Grace and Archer…” They were very happy, something that had both allowed and encouraged Diana to forge her own path, away from Crystal Springs. “They take care of each other, and of the town.”
    “Archer as a respectable citizen. What an amazing thing.”
    “He’s quite beloved by everyone.” Nate’s smile held a desperate edge, one that made Diana squirm. “You needn’t trouble yourself to talk to me, you know. I’m comfortable with silence.”
    “I see.” He fell quiet for a few seconds, then laughed. “I suppose I’m nervous.”
    Only a fool would torment herself with questions. “Why?”
    Both of his eyebrows swept up. “You’re not?”
    “That depends.” She swallowed hard. “Nervous about what?”
    He just shook his head. “You really are a bloodhound, through and through.”
    It didn’t sound like a compliment. “You’re anxious about this trip, then? Our mission?”
    “I’m anxious about riding into the Deadlands, no matter how many times I’ve done it before. But you’re not.” He leaned forward, his eyes suddenly intent. “You know you can handle it, don’t you?”
    She hadn’t really thought about it, and now she couldn’t, not with him watching her with something approaching awe.