The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener Read Free Book Online

night?”
    Edward lifted his knee, fast, vicious, as if trying to hit the man in the balls, and as the man moved slightly away, clicking his tongue in sarcastic chastisement, Edward used the space he’d opened up to hit out with his fist, driving it straight into the footpad’s stomach.
    With a soft whoosh of air, he let go of Edward’s throat, getting in a hard smack of his elbow just above Edward’s eye.
    Edward punched out, his fist connecting with the man’sjaw, and with a choking cry, the man went down, his knife clattering to the cobbles.
    “What is your interest in Charlotte Raven?” Edward asked, crouching down beside him.
    The man spat, just missing Edward’s face, and rolled away into the pitch black of the alley.
    Edward heard the pounding of feet and then nothing.
    Nursing his hand, he picked up the knife and walked back out onto the street. Charlotte and her servant were gone, and he had nothing to show for his evening but a bruised left eye, grazed knuckles, and a lot more questions.
    Who the hell was Charlotte Raven?

    “ I wasn’t aware you were a pugilist, Lord Durnham.” Charlotte regretted the words as soon as they were out of her mouth, wishing to scoop them up and throw them out of the drawing room window. They’d rushed from her, unbidden, at the sight of his beautiful face so bruised and swollen. And his hand. It looked half again its normal size.
    Her eyes flicked to the door, willing Catherine and Emma to return at once from tending to Ned’s scraped knee.
    “What makes you say that?” The look he sent her was icy. Completely emotionless.
    Charlotte relaxed. She felt a little skip of excitement in her chest. She had thought her remark would reveal her regard, but instead it had irritated him.
    She smiled. A smile of pure delight.
    Lord Durnham’s eyes locked on her face. He blinked. Jerked his head back in shock at her reaction.
    She tried desperately to compose herself. “I ask because you have obviously been involved in fisticuffs with someone, and you do not strike me as a man who would brawl over cards or dice, or even a woman, so the only conclusion left was that you had taken a turn in the boxing ring.”
    “I was set upon by a footpad.” He spoke quietly, as if the information should mean something to her.
    Which of course it did.
    Her eyes went wide, and she lifted a hand to her mouth. “Where?” she whispered.
    “Tothill Road.” He leaned back in his chair and lifted the cup of tea Catherine had given him to his lips. Took a sip.
    Clutching shaking hands together to still them, Charlotte closed her eyes for a moment. “What on earth were you doing in Tothill Road? That is an invitation to be set upon.”
    “One would think so. But judging by the calm way you stroll around there, it seems safe enough for you.”
    Charlotte raised her head in horror, forcing her eyes open, forcing her gaze on his face. “I am not just anyone.”
    “Oh, Miss Raven, never was a truer word spoken. And I would very much like to know who you are.” There was no artifice in his voice, no give in his tone. He was deadly serious. Determined to have answers.
    “Is the person who attacked you all right?”
    It was the last thing he’d expected her to say, she could tell by the flare of his nostrils. “Better than me.” He slippeda hand into his pocket, drew out a knife. “I have something of his.”
    Charlotte held out her hand and watched him as he continued to hold it, with no indication he would hand it over. “I’ll see it is returned.”
    He laughed, really laughed, and slipped the knife back in his coat. “I don’t think so, Miss Raven. Next time he might not be so careful with it around my eyes.”
    She closed her own eyes again. “What did he look like?” She massaged her temple.
    “Medium height, black hair, well built.”
    “Sammy.” She sighed. “You need to watch your back now, Lord Durnham.” She lowered her hands. “I’d apologize, but you rather brought it on