Lori Brighton - [The Seduction 02] by To Capture a Rake Read Free Book Online Page A

delight his comment produced. “No, do you have any thoughts upon where we’re going?”
    “West, obviously.”
    So, he wasn’t completely oblivious. Yet, he asked no more questions, and she was forced to admit that perhaps he really didn’t care what she did with him. Perhaps he only wanted the money. A taciturn, greedy whore. She couldn’t
wait
to spend the rest of her life with him. Ideal husband, indeed.
    A low rumble of thunder shook the ground, the lanterns swaying back and forth, casting splashes of light across his hardface. Happy to have something to think about other than the man before her, Elizabeth brushed aside the curtains and studied the evening countryside. Dark clouds tiptoed across the crescent moon, the landscape a velvet canvas of shadows.
    “Rain, perhaps.” She bit back her smile. Perfect. Rain would mean their travel would slow. Rain would mean they’d have more time together and she could uncover the true Gideon. Perhaps Mr. Ashton was watching over her after all. She dared to glance at her traveling companion. “What ever shall we do?”
    “Aye, you seem rather put out and weather is such a fascinating subject.” Sarcasm dripped from his tongue, but she didn’t mind. All that mattered was that he was actually making conversation, as biting as it was.
    She shrugged, feigning indifference. “We need the rain for the crops.”
    “Perhaps.”
    What did he mean by that response? “Besides, the world could always do with a good cleansing.” And she truly was thrilled to be away from the noxious scents of London and the overwhelming perfume of lavender. How she missed her countryside.
    “Yes,” Gideon replied noncommittally. “But I don’t suppose you like highwaymen.”
    That smirk she’d been wearing instantly disappeared. “Pardon?”
    When he didn’t respond, but merely watched her with that arrogant, knowing gaze, she tore back the curtains and looked outside. She could see nothing in the darkness, could not decipher shadow from man. Was he intentionally trying to frighten her? She wouldn’t put it past him.
    “I would guess that there are two. I’m no expert, but I know that they usually work in pairs,” he said. “The fact that your driver has neither shouted out a warning, nor attempted to outrun them, leads me to assume they are working together.”
    Her shock and fear turned to anger. Blast it! “What shall we do?” She hadn’t meant to say the words, as if she expected him to protect her. But really, she was paying him after all, the least he could do was offer a suggestion. “Do you have any weapons?”
    “No. The whips were left in my bedchamber.”
    She flushed and hated herself for reacting when she knew his purpose had been to embarrass her. Even now, while under threat of attack, he couldn’t be serious. What a ridiculous and frustrating man!
    He quirked a brow in that snide way. “And you? Any weapons, perhaps?”
    “Of course, I’m not stupid enough to traipse across Northern England without one.”
    He merely grinned at her biting comment. Frustrating man!
    Determined to ignore him, she lifted her skirt and pulled a knife from the sheath strapped to her calf. His grin fell. For the first time since she’d met him, he actually looked surprised, more likely from seeing the knife than from seeing her leg. After all, she’d assumed he’d seen plenty of feminine limbs in the last fourteen years.
    “Here.” He held out his hand, recovering from his surprise quickly enough.
    She hesitated, studying him warily. “How do I know I can trust you?”
    His lips thinned, as if he was actually offended. Well, what should she think? The man spent his nights and days on his back. Did he even know how to fight? Yes, she’d felt only muscle when he’d pressed his body to hers and kissed her in Lady Lavender’s parlor, but that didn’t mean he knew how to protect himself. When he continued to glare at her with his hand outstretched, she crumbled.
    “Very