Tempting a Sinner by Kate Pearce Read Free Book Online

falling, Jim rocked back and forth, his feet planted wide, but it was no use. His legs gave way like a toppling tree, bringing them both down to the wooden floorboards. Jim’s breath whooshed out as Benedict landed squarely on top of him.
    He pretended to scrabble for purchase, and eventually managed to roll away.
    “I’m sorry, Jim. I’m obviously weaker than I thought.” He got back into bed wincing with pain. “Are you all right?”
    Jim sat up, too, his expression aggrieved. “I’m fine now that your huge carcass isn’t crushing the life out of me. You weigh as much as one of those elephants from India!”
    “I’m sorry.” Benedict lay back and closed his eyes. “I won’t try to do that again today, I promise.”
    Jim harrumphed, gathered up the discarded towels and soapy water, and departed, with his nose in the air.
    After counting to a thousand, Benedict opened his hand to reveal the bone handle of the pocketknife he’d taken from Jim’s coat pocket. With one eye on the door, he pulled back the sheets and studied the shackle around his ankle and the chain that connected it to the bed. There’d been no sign of Mally for the last three days, but Gwen had come to see him regularly, as had the most timid of the three, Miss Doris. When Benedict asked after their intimidating leader, he’d been informed that it was quarter day week, and she was busy paying wages, settling disputes between farmers, and organizing the disposal of the crops brought in from various outlying orchards and fields.
    Somehow, he understood the needs of a country estate, and had no problem accepting the answer—even though he assumed she was avoiding him too. Every day meant a growth in his strength and a new revelation about who he might be. The idea of stealing the knife had come to him from nowhere, but had been incredibly easy to orchestrate.
    He bent closer to examine the metal. The band around his ankle looked very solid, and he doubted the puny knife would have any impact on it. The chain was older and rusting in places. It looked as if it had been attached to the iron in something of a hurry. He carefully checked each individual link and then the final link that was attached to the shackle. Using the tip of the knife, he found a weak spot in the weld, inserted the blade into the tiny gap, and, careful not to break off the tip, wiggled it back and forth. He breathed a sigh of thanks as he felt the metal give very slightly. It was highly possible that he could detach the shackle from the chain.
    The sound of voices at the door gave him just enough time to rearrange the covers and slip the knife under his pillow. He was sitting up when Miss Doris came into the room carrying a tray. She smiled hesitantly at him.
    “Good morning, sir.”
    “Miss Doris.” He inclined his head respectfully.
    “I’ve brought you some chicken soup. Cook says there is more if you require it.”
    “That is very good of her, and it is very kind of you to bring it up for me.”
    She settled the tray on his lap and handed him a spoon. Her eyes were a cornflower blue that reminded him forcibly of someone else. “You are most welcome. Everyone is rather busy today. I was worried that you might be overlooked.”
    “I understand that your sister is running the house by herself?”
    “When we arrived here from the Continent, there was no staff and the place was a shambles. Mally had to arrange everything.” She sighed. “She is a remarkably competent woman.”
    “So I understand.” He sipped at his soup. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was the first time Miss Doris had visited him by herself. Did they think she wasn’t to be trusted, or was she simply indiscreet? He gave her his warmest smile and she blushed.
    “Miss Mally is lucky to have such devoted helpers as you and Miss Gwen. I’m sure you both take on much of the burden of running a large household.”
    “We do our best, but Mally oversees everything.”
    He continued to sip his soup.