School For Heiresses 3- Beware A Scot's Revenge by Sabrina Jeffries Read Free Book Online Page B

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    She caught her breath. The color of his eyes, the arch of his brows, and the shape of his features were the same. And oh, Lord, although his hair was shorter now, falling only to just above his shoulders, the particular chestnut hue was an exact match to that of—
    “Lachlan?”
    The stunned expression on his face told her she was right.
    “Lachlan Ross!” she cried. “You really are alive!”
    Chapter Five
    Dear Cousin,
    Once again, sir, you attribute to me notions that never crossed my mind. Why shouldn’t two women travel the country with only servants to attend them? This isn’t theEngland of your childhood. Highwaymen are scarce these days. I daresay women have more to fear fromLondon pickpockets than from good country Scots.
    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Your annoyed relation,
    Charlotte
    D evil take her, he had hoped the lass wouldn’t put it together so quickly. He’d planned to give her a false name until he could lure her into the carriage by playing on their acquaintance from the ball. That wouldn’t work now.
    A shame he couldn’t just toss her over his shoulder and carry her off, but a party of walkers had emerged from the woods, headed for the climb. The park was lousy with visitors today—anyone might hear her scream and come to her rescue.
    He’d have to play along until he got her where he wanted her. That meant he’d have to explain his miraculous resurrection. Or avoid explaining it.
    “Yes, I’m alive.” He clapped his hat back on his head and made a show of looking around for enemies.
    “Can you lower yer voice? No one’s supposed to know.”
    Such secrecy must have appealed to her, for she dropped her voice to a conspiratorial murmur. “Why? And how can you be alive when the papers said—”
    “I know, lass, I know.” He cast a furtive glance at the party passing them. “Can we talk about this somewhere more private? Let’s head for those woods.”
    “Oh, I forgot! Forgive me, but I must hasten to Colonel Seton’s carriage.”
    As she continued down the path toward the woods, he followed along. She was playing right into their hands, she was. “Is that where yer friends are?” he asked in feigned innocence.
    “No, I have to ride a horse back up the mountain for the colonel. We were walking to the top when he supposedly injured his leg, and now must ride down.”
    “Supposedly?”
    She laughed. “I suspect he’s only pretending to be hurt to get my aunt alone so he can court her. Since I heartily approve of the courtship, I must maintain the pretense by riding up to fetch them.”
    He shook his head. “You’re not dressed for it, and it’ll take time to unhitch a horse. Let me carry you up in my carriage.”
    “It can’t make that climb, sir.”
    “Not on this side of the mountain, but on the other side is an easy road to the top,” he lied.
    “Really?” She stopped short. “Are you sure?”
    Lachlansmiled. “Most people don’t know about it. My equipage is just inside those trees; let me drive you up. The colonel may need me to carry him to the rig.” He offered her his arm.
    “I sincerely doubt that,” she said with a laugh, but took his arm all the same. “But I suppose we should keep up appearances for his sake.”
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    “Aye.” Deliberately he covered her gloved hand with his. “Besides, I’ll take any chance to be alone with you, even if only for a bit.”
    Her whole face brightened. “Oh,Lachlan , I’m so glad you’re alive.”
    Guilt pricked his conscience. She wouldn’t be thinking that for long.
    “But you must tell me how—” she began.
    “Not yet, lass, not until we’re alone.”
    Which had better be soon. Already his body suffered the toll of the past week’s travel. He couldn’t wait to have the pretense over, even if it meant she would despise him. Despite his throbbing thigh, he hastened his