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

well.” She slapped the blade against his large palm.
    “This is it?”
    “Yes.” She knew how to lie. One didn’t grow up where she had without knowing how to lie. His gaze narrowed. Either her skills had diminished or he was incredibly well versed at spotting a liar.
    “What shall I do, poke their eyes out?”
    She sighed and reached into her reticule, pulling out the small Derringer.
    The weapon looked tiny in his massive palm. “Single shot.”
    “Yes.”
    The carriage jerked to a stop, hidden within a patch of dark woods. There was no struggle, no shouted words of warning. Hell, he’d been right; the driver was in on the attack. Could no one be trusted? Elizabeth scooted to the edge of her seat, her breath held, but Gideon merely stayed where he was, relaxed, the pistol dangling from his fingertips, the knife resting on his muscled thigh as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
    The carriage bounced, the horses neighing. “What are they doing?” she whispered.
    “I do believe they are taking the horses so that we’re truly stuck.”
    “Bastards!” She’d just purchased this carriage. More than annoyed, she started to reach for the door, intending to stop their progress.
    Gideon lifted his arm, blocking her exit. “Stay in here, no matter what.”
    She was so stunned by his sudden show of gallantry that she actually paused. Perhaps he thought he must protect her in order to get the money he would make. Or maybe he was in on the attack. If he thought she would cower in the corner praying for her soul, he’d learn soon enough she was no quivering miss. He blew out the lantern, throwing the carriage into darkness, then waited, pistol raised.
    She heard the softest shuffle of feet right before Gideon kicked the door wide. It hit the man closest, sending him stumbling to the ground. Gideon pulled back the trigger at the same time the two standing cohorts did. There was a soft click, click, click. Elizabeth’s heart actually stopped beating for a breathless moment. She would have to do something and fast or Gideonwould end up getting himself killed, and she needed him much, much more than he realized. Slowly, Gideon moved from the carriage, his gaze trained on the two men still standing.
    “Mr. Frond,” Elizabeth said, following Gideon from the coach. The men were hard to decipher in the dark, but she could make out her driver’s portly form. “You will
not
receive a recommendation from me.”
    Gideon slid her an exasperated glance. “Did I not tell you to stay put?”
    “Well really,” she whispered, “there are no honorable men anymore. It’s quite upsetting.”
    “Hand her over,” the driver muttered.
    If it wasn’t for his trembling arm, the sweat glistening on his brow would have given away his unease. Elizabeth’s lips drew back in disgust. An unpleasant pig. There was nothing she despised more than a coward, and Mr. Frond and his men were definitely cowards.
    Impatient, she glanced toward Gideon, wondering when he’d make some sort of move. Yet, the blasted man seemed quite relaxed, looking them over as if attempting to decide if they were worth the effort. He didn’t seem in the least bit worried, but then he didn’t understand the truth of the matter. He assumed they were merely highwaymen looking for a few coins, but she knew better.
    Although his pistol was still trained on the nearest man, there was a flippant air about Gideon that greatly annoyed her. “I hand her over, I don’t get paid.”
    Elizabeth frowned. She was glad her life meant so much to him. The cur. Mr. Smith had been right, what little soul Gideon had been born with had most likely withered and died years ago.
    The driver sneered. “Aye, and we know ye like to get paid for yer services, don’t ye?”
    Elizabeth stiffened. They knew…they knew about her visit to the brothel, which meant all of London would know by the week’send. She pressed her hands to her lower belly, seized by horror. She’d been so bloody