Lie by Moonlight by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online

we are going to be seeing a great deal of each other for the foreseeable future.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    He left the mantel and went to stand in front of her. “After what occurred at the castle tonight, Larkin will assume that you are aware of some of his plans. He will also want what he views as his property returned. That means that he will do his best to find you and the girls.”
    She went very still. “I realize that he will not like the fact that I spirited the girls away from the castle. That is why I intend to take them into hiding for a time.”
    He reached down, closed his hands around her upper arms and lifted her gently but firmly out of the chair. “You do not comprehend the nature of the beast that you are dealing with. I doubt very much that you have the resources to hide yourself from Alexander Larkin, let alone conceal the young ladies.”
    “I was thinking that perhaps if we went to Scotland—”
    “You could take your girls to the South Seas and still not be safe, not if Larkin makes up his mind to track you down. And I believe that he will try to do just that.”
    “For a few weeks or even a month or two, perhaps,” she agreed calmly. “But I cannot imagine that he will waste a great deal of time and energy chasing four girls and their teacher. Surely a crime lord, as you call him, has more important matters to occupy his attention.”
    “Nothing is more important to Larkin than his own survival. I think it is safe to say that he will not rest until he has satisfied himself that you are no longer a threat to him.”
    “How can I possibly be any sort of threat to a man like him?” She was clearly exasperated. “I am a teacher, for heaven’s sake. I have no social connections, no power of any sort. I am in no position to do anything that could cause problems for Alexander Larkin. He must know that as well as I do.”
    “You are a loose end, Miss Glade. When Larkin weaves a pattern he does not leave any dangling threads. As soon as he discovers that youescaped with the girls, he will conclude that you know far too much about him and his scheme. Trust me, if he finds you, he will kill you.”
    She blinked two or three times and then drew a slow, deep breath.
    “I see,” she said.
    Her composure was quite stunning, he thought. Few people, male or female, could have taken the news he had just delivered with such equanimity. Concordia Glade was, indeed, a woman apart.
    He released her. “Go to bed, Miss Glade. You need sleep. We will discuss this situation again in the morning.”
    She startled him with a wry smile. “You can hardly expect me to sleep after what you just told me.”
    “Perhaps not, but you must try to rest. I intend for all of us to be away from here as early as possible in the morning.”
    The wariness returned to her eyes. “You sound as if you have some plans of your own for my students, Mr. Wells.”
    “And for you, also, Miss Glade.”
    “What are they?”
    “Tomorrow we will continue on to the nearest train station. From there, you and the girls will travel to London in a first-class carriage. Any number of people will see you board the train.”
    “But if what you say about Larkin is correct, he will soon discover that we went to London. He will search for us there.”
    “He will search for four young women and their teacher.”
    She studied him with renewed interest. “What do you intend, sir?”
    “A feat of magic. Once in London you will all disappear.”
    “What do you mean?” she asked sharply.
    “I will explain in the morning.”
    She hesitated. He knew that she was torn between bidding him good night and demanding an explanation.
    “Good night, sir,” she said quietly. “I must thank you for your assistance. I am not at all certain that we could have escaped safely without you.”
    “I do not doubt for a moment that you would have managed very well on your own, Miss Glade. We have not known each other more than a few hours, but I feel