Helen Dickson by Highwayman Husband Read Free Book Online

quiet,’ he interrupted in a bored tone, moving his head to a more comfortable position. ‘Did you break off your engagement with Carlyle?’
    ‘Yes. Considering the circumstances, I was left with no choice.’
    ‘Good. However, I doubt we’ve seen the last of him. That was an impossible situation. How did he take it?’
    ‘He was extremely angry, naturally.’
    ‘Angry because he knew he stood to lose a number of things he prized highly.’
    ‘Now, why do I have the distinct feeling it is something other than myself that you are referring to?’ she said, her voice threaded with sarcasm.
    ‘Perhaps because you know it is. Come, now, Laura. Youhave been the Lady of Roslyn for two years. You must know to what I am referring.’
    Laura knew exactly what he meant, and that one of the things he was alluding to was Edward’s smuggling activities. ‘I do comprehend you.’
    ‘You should.’
    ‘I have also learned that it doesn’t do to be too curious in these parts.’
    ‘Very wise, my dear, very wise. I know Edward Carlyle, so let me make it quite clear it is not your charming self he wants. It is because he thought you owned the land he covets.’
    ‘I know that, too—now,’ she told him bitterly.
    ‘That’s very astute of you.’
    ‘Is it? In the beginning I didn’t have so many friends in Cornwall that I could afford to offend a man like Edward.’
    ‘And I suppose, like every other female he comes into contact with, you were so blinded by his looks and charm that you couldn’t see him for what he is. You see, on my demise, you very quickly became the object of his cynical calculation. He cold-bloodedly set about playing on your loss. It was child’s play to win you, and, like the innocent you were, you welcomed him.’
    Laura’s natural honesty recoiled from such a summary of herself. With a mixture of pain and anger she folded her arms across her chest and moved further away from him. ‘You must think I am very stupid.’
    He merely looked up at her and raised an eyebrow questioningly. ‘I hope you’re not feeling disappointed because you’ve had to break off your engagement. I didn’t take you for a romantic.’
    Ignoring the irony of the remark, Laura mastered her anger sufficiently to say, ‘You have no idea what I am like.’
    A wicked smile tempted his lips. ‘Maybe not as well as I should after two years of marriage, but I am looking forward to getting to know you better.’
    It was on the tip of Laura’s tongue to retort that the last thing in the world she wanted was for him to do that, but when she looked across at him her heart skipped a beat. He was lounging back against the cushions, his muscled chest partly revealed through his open shirt. With his black, slightly curly and dishevelled hair, ruggedly chiselled features and a slumberous expression in his eyes, she thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
    When she finally brought herself to speak, instead of the harsh rejoinder she intended, all she said was, ‘Then you’ll have to be patient. My knowledge of marriage is limited, as well you know—three days, to be exact.’
    Lucas stirred impatiently, about to utter a cutting remark, but when he gazed at her from beneath his lowered eyelids he could see how tense she was, and that her deep blue eyes glaring defiance at him were shining with pain that he and Edward Carlyle had caused. He was touched despite himself by her youth, and perhaps also by some private scruples. She had an innocence and warm femininity that touched a deep chord inside him.
    ‘Sit down, Laura, and stop glaring at me.’
    Wanting to appear haughty and coldly remote, Laura was taken aback by his unexpected gentleness and completely at a loss as to how to answer. Repressing her irrational annoyance over his conduct towards her earlier, she reluctantly did as he bade and seated herself across from him, perching uncomfortably on the edge of the chair.
    Lucas looked across at his lovely young