Surrender the Night by MaryLu Tyndall Read Free Book Online Page A

Americans sleep in the straw?”
    Rose grimaced.
Pompous bore
. “No sir. We reserve our barns strictly for odious beasts.”
    He quirked a brow. Instead of the outrage she expected, amusement settled on his face. “Well, at least I know my place.”
    “I doubt that, Mr. Reed, since you find yourself in my country instead of your own.”
    He chuckled. “Indeed.” Yet the supercilious grin remained on his lips and something else—a flicker of admiration—crossed his eyes that made Rose’s stomach squirm.
    She tore her gaze from him. He taunted her. Enjoyed taunting her. Rose glanced over her shoulder out the door. Oh where was Amelia? Rose shouldn’t be here alone with this man—this enemy who was twice her size and getting stronger by the minute.
    Picking up the knife, she studied the bloodstained bandage wrapped around his leg. The hole she’d been forced to tear in his white breeches offered her a view of a thigh as thick and hard as a tree trunk. She’d never seen a man’s bare leg before—barely noticed the muscular tone of it during the harrowing moments when as she’d plucked the bullet out. But now the vision sent an odd sensation through her. Ignoring the feeling, she began to slice through the bandage. Her hand shook.
    He touched her arm. She froze and met his gaze, her heart racing.
    Releasing her, he shook his head, his eyes searching hers. “Do not fear me. I have no intention of doing you harm, Miss McGuire.”
    “Yes you do, Mr. Reed. You intend to rob me of my freedom.” Rose continued her work, reminding herself that despite his attempt at kindness, Mr. Reed was her enemy. In fact,
because
of his kindness, Rose must never trust him. No doubt finding himself at her mercy, he merely attempted to worm into her graces for his own preservation. When he regained his full strength, she would use her uncle’s musket to encourage him to leave. She shuddered at the thought of holding the vile weapon. But she may have no choice.
    “I did not mean to sound ungrateful.” He rubbed the thick stubble on his chin and eyed her. “Why do you not turn me in to your military?”
    “You saved my life, Mr. Reed. How can I do any less for you?”
    “War changes the rules of civility, Miss McGuire.”
    She sliced through the bandage and began to peel it away. “Not for me, it doesn’t. Now stay still.”
    Wishing Mr. Reed would stop talking to her, and in particular stop looking at her, Rose focused her attention on the task of removing the final bandage. She poked at the skin around his wound. No puffiness, no swelling or discoloring to indicate infection. Just firm muscle met her touch.
    “Thank you for tending my injury.” Despite the British lilt, his deep voice soothed over her, untying her nerves.
    “As I said, I was obligated to help you.” She forced spite in her tone.
    “As I was to prevent Mr. Garrick from ravishing you.” A shiver coursed through her at the memory, and she lifted her eyes to his. “Then we are even, Mr. Reed. And when you are well andare gone from here, we shall owe each other nothing more.”
    But he didn’t seem to be listening to her. Instead his gaze focused on her neck, and a smile played at the corners of his mouth. “You have dirt on your …” He pointed toward her upper chest.
    Looking down, Rose wiped a muddy smudge from the skin above her neckline then she scoured him with a sharp gaze. “And you are covered in dirt as well, Mr. Reed.”
    He glanced down the length of his filthy uniform and chuckled. “Indeed.”
    Amelia floated into the barn on a stiff breeze that fluttered the lacy trim of her lavender gown. She held a sack in one hand. “I’ve brought the clothes you requested, miss.” Her eyes trained on Mr. Reed while a coquettish grin danced over her lips.
    Despite the woman’s flirtations, Rose released a sigh of relief at her presence. “Mr. Reed, may I present Mrs. Amelia Wilkins, my companion and lady’s maid.”
    “My pleasure, Mrs.