Gallant Match by Jennifer Blake Read Free Book Online Page B

a nod. “Have I thanked you for looking after the salon while I’m away?”
    â€œAt least a half-dozen times. Think no more of it. Just make sure you return.”
    â€œMy fullest intention, I promise you.”
    â€œAnd I’ll hold you to it. I’ve better things to occupy my time than disposing of your pitiful belongings to cover your rent.”
    â€œShouldn’t come to that, but if it does…” Kerr’s shrug was fatalistic.
    â€œIt’s a killing matter then.”
    â€œYou might say so.”
    Kerr was not one to talk about himself or his business. The fewer who knew what he was about, the better. It was a family trait, that taciturn attitude; his father had been the same, and his father before him, all the way back to the Clan Wallace in the Highlands of Scotland. Stiff-necked pride and the need to keep a firm hand on the reins, his mother had always called it. She may have been right.
    â€œThe lady didn’t look overjoyed at the news of the Lime Rock ’s departure.” The light from soot-dulled lanterns slid over the black waves of Christien’s hair as he tipped his head.
    â€œNot particularly.”
    â€œCan’t say I envy you the voyage with her under your wing.”
    Kerr gave his friend a skeptical look. “If you think I believe that…”
    â€œGod’s truth, I swear it. I prefer my women softer and more biddable.”
    â€œCareful, my friend. The old gods enjoy serving up a man’s past words with trouble as a sauce.”
    â€œYou’re learning that, are you?”
    â€œMeaning?”
    â€œAren’t you the man who has dodged and ducked for years to avoid the matchmaking of his friends’ wives? The staunch frontier gent with no use for a pampered Creole belle, no time for hanging on the sleeve of one? Now look at you.”
    â€œI signed on to deliver the lady to her wedding, and nothing else.”
    â€œBut you’ll be looking after her, keeping close watch,making sure nothing happens to her. First thing you know, you’ll be trailing after her like a sick pup.”
    Kerr gave him a straight look. “I wouldn’t put money on it.”
    Christien went on as if he had not spoken. “Yes, or running up and down, swearing a blue streak and wondering where she’s got off to while your back was turned. Mademoiselle Bonneval has the look of a lady with a mind of her own. She’s not likely to stay put like a horse you can ground tie and expect to find when you come back.”
    â€œFor that gem of wisdom I thank you, not being able to figure it out for myself.”
    â€œOh, you’re up to every trick, I don’t doubt. The thing is, so is the lady, and she doesn’t look happy with her lot. You and that papa of hers don’t look out, she’ll bolt on you.”
    The back of Kerr’s neck tingled and alarm slid down his spine. Christien had just put into words the feeling that had him blue-deviled. It was what had bothered him about Sonia Bonneval’s mood this evening, her composure, the unruffled way she had taken the news of the Lime Rock ’s sailing date after her first start of surprise.
    She didn’t intend to be on that ship. She meant to run out on her wedding and on him.
    The legs of his chair screeched on the flagstone floor as he surged to his feet. Thrusting a hand into his pocket, he tossed a few coins on the table and turned for the door.
    â€œHold on, where’re you going?” Christien called after him.
    â€œTo check on my charge,” he said over his shoulder.
    â€œYou saw her leave the ball before we did. She’ll be at home, tucked up in her bed.”
    â€œI’ll just make sure of it.”
    Behind him, Christien said something under his breath. Kerr didn’t wait to hear it. But he thought it had to do with hearing old gods laugh.
    Some hours later, Kerr was still turning that conversation in the barrelhouse over