Randall's Romance (Behind Closed Doors) by Lee Brazil Read Free Book Online

popping. A wince crossed his brow and Jason realized the man's arms had to hurt, pulled over his head like that.
    "If I untie you, will you give me your word of honor not to escape?" He held his breath, not sure what response he hoped for.
    "You'd accept my word?"
    Nodding shortly, Jason explained, "I am somewhat acquainted with your brother. I cannot fathom that anyone raised in the same household as he would be less than honorable."
    A flash of some unknown emotion brightened the blue eyes for a second, then Randal spoke. "You have my word of honor that I will not attempt to escape."
    Jason scooted up against the headboard and untied the cravat, one hand on his pillow, the easier to reach his weapon. Accustomed to dealing with men who would say anything to get the information they wanted, indeed, being one of those men himself, he was fairly certain Gretton would keep his word, but better safe than dead.
    Gretton watched him thoughtfully, a faint frown marring the smooth brow. He rubbed his wrists, reddened from the tightness of the bindings. "You still haven't told me your name."
    "I'd like to, but...I have business in the area that isn't quite legitimate, you might say. It wouldn't be safe for you to know my name." For either of us , he added silently.
    Randall sat up, keeping Jason's attention as he twisted and stretched his muscles some more. "How can knowing your name harm me? It's not like I could describe you to the magistrate, is it?"
    The mask had served its purpose well enough on that score. "No, that's true enough. All right. You may call me Danny." It was only half a lie, after all, he soothed the tiny part of him that protested.
    "Danny," Randall tested the name. "Are you hiding blue eyes and red hair behind that mask Danny boy?"
    He laughed and cut off Jason's protest with an out flung hand. "No, no. I'm just teasing. My sister would tell you I'm a terrible tease, I understand you cannot reveal more of yourself to me. I must return home, though. My sister is probably frantic, my superiors searching for me. I had an appointment this afternoon, and if I do not attend it, my absence will be remarked in quarters that will be highly uncomfortable for you."
    "I have an idea about that." Jason admitted. "But you might not like it."
    A dark brow rose in challenge. "Try me."
    "I could knock you out again and return you to the place I found you. Regretfully, I had to cut your boot open and you won't be able to wear it. But you could, with the aid of stick find your way back to town."
    Grimacing in distaste, Randall shook his head. "Thank you very much, but no. I've had enough of being unconscious and at the mercy of the unknown. Why don't you just lend me the mask. If you put it backwards over my head, it will block out my sight well enough, and you can lead me to the place we met. I'll go into Chaldon from there, and you can retreat to your hiding place without revealing yourself."
    The idea had merit. "Except that if I remove the mask to put it on you, you could see my face."
    "You trust me, do you not?"
    "I want to trust you, Randall. God knows why, but I have to be honest with you. I have not met many men who merited the trust I held in them. The honor some men hold dear is just a surface thing... underneath they are full of corruption and deceit." He stamped down the guilt over his own lies. "Trust doesn't come easily to me."
    Offended, Randall frowned. "I dislike that you've been betrayed by someone in the past, Danny, but a Gretton's word is his bond. I swear by all that I hold sacred that I will not steal a glimpse, or report you to the magistrate for highway robbery. Leave the room. Throw my clothes and the mask through the door, and when I have them on, I'll sit on the bed and I'll call you. You can see through the key hole that I everything is as it should be. I'm not stupid. I know you have the pistol you carried when you stopped me, and probably any number of other weapons about this place."
    He caught his