Never Trust a Scoundrel by Gayle Callen Read Free Book Online Page A

her hand before her face as if she would faint. She put the back of her palm to her forehead, trying for weak and distraught.
    â€œBut your acting is so marvelous. It would be a shame not to allow you a last grand performance.”
    She simply looked at him, their faces close together, their eyes daring each other.
    â€œOnly two weeks left,” Daniel murmured. “I might have to do something desperate to ensure that I win.”
    â€œYou’re far from desperate,” she whispered back, then smiled. “It’s two weeks minus a day. And you wouldn’t do anything that might lead to a forced marriage.”
    â€œAnd who could possibly force me into that?”
    Before she could respond, others were upon them.
    â€œThrockmorten, superb horsemanship,” said a man who reined in his gelding as he reached them.
    Daniel finally released her from his gaze. “Thank you, Colby,” he said smoothly. “Always good to aid a lady in distress.”
    â€œOh, my dear,” cried a well-dressed womanriding at the man’s side. “Will you faint? Please don’t fall off the horse.”
    â€œI would never allow it,” Daniel said, holding her even more tightly.
    The more Grace tried to appear weak, the more he pressed her against him, breasts to his chest, making it difficult to remember her purpose. “I can’t quite get my breath,” she said weakly.
    The woman slid from her horse. “Do let her down, Mr. Throckmorten. I can help the poor girl.”
    Grace sensed Daniel’s reluctant surrender, and she gave a deep sigh, using weariness to mask her relief.
    â€œLet me dismount first, Miss Banbury,” he said, “and then I’ll help you down.”
    She gave a trembling nod, allowing him to do all the work of sliding out from under her. When he was on the ground and reaching up to her, she let herself slide weakly into his arms. It was difficult to forget that his hands were on her waist. She had a fleeting thought about what it would feel like if she weren’t wearing a corset.
    â€œMiss Banbury, is it?” said the woman behind her.
    Grace gratefully turned to her and gave a shaky smile. “Yes, ma’am. I am newly arrived in London, and I hadn’t ridden my brother’s horse before, and didn’t know the paths—”
    â€œOf course, of course, it is very different here than in the country,” the woman said soothingly.
    She was perhaps twenty years older than Grace, a mature woman who had a vigorous air about her.
    â€œI am Miss Parker. Do you need to sit down, dear?”
    â€œOh, no, I am certain I will be fine. Thank goodness for Mr. Throckmorten. I could have died!”
    â€œRescuing innocent maidens, Throckmorten?” said Mr. Colby with dry amusement in his voice. “Not quite like you.”
    Good, Grace thought with satisfaction. Just the reaction she’d been looking for. She glanced over her shoulder at Daniel but didn’t allow any triumph to show. It was far too early in their challenge.
    During several minutes of conversation, Miss Parker invited Grace to call upon her, Mr. Colby gave Daniel a rewarding look of approval, and Daniel appeared reluctantly amused. All in all, her plan to improve his reputation was succeeding.
    â€œThank you all for your help,” Daniel said. “If you don’t mind, I think Miss Banbury has had quite enough excitement for one day. I’ll escort her back to her brother.”
    â€œGood of you, Throckmorten,” said Miss Parker, speaking to an equal in her no-nonsense way. “Please do visit me, Miss Banbury.”
    â€œI will, Miss Parker. Thank you so much for your concern.”
    Without a mounting block, Grace was forced to allow Daniel to help her mount. She found the stirrup as quickly as possible, so that hishands wouldn’t linger. But as the others rode off, he guided her knee around the pommel very familiarly.
    â€œThat’s