The Pursuit by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online Page B

in saying, seeing no need to be clandestine.
    Denley tried to sit up.
    “We’ve got to go.”
    “I’ll check again in the morning and hire a coach if we need to.”
    Denley nodded, lying back in exhaustion. “I should be doing this.”
    Niki ignored him because Edward was asking a question.
    “Do you plan to slip away while I’m still in my room?”
    Niki looked across at him.
    “No.” Her voice was flat and resigned. “Much as I hate to admit it, I need you.”
    “So what is the plan?”
    “We’ll eat downstairs in the morning, and I’ll ask a few questions. If we need to leave, we’ll go directly after breakfast.”
    “And what of this coach you need? You’ve never been in Lisbon. How will you arrange that?”
    “Money talks, Mr Steele, or haven’t you figured that out yet?”
    Edward watched her for a moment.
    “And what of tonight? Are you not worried that someone will come here to your room?”
    “No, that’s not the concern. That’s never been the concern.”
    Edward had all he could do not to shake his head. He didn’t know when he’d ever been so confused or in the dark on an issue. His temple throbbed a bit, and he knew he was going to have to let this go and take Niki at her word.
    “Well, I’ll retire,” he said, turning to the door. “I shall assume you’ll come for me if there’s a need. If not, I’ll be ready for breakfast a bit early.”
    “Thank you. Good night.”
    Niki stood still even after he exited. She looked down at Denley and was surprised to find him still awake.
    “Do you feel better?”
    “A little. You still trust him, don’t you?”
    “Yes, but I’m not sure why. Why did you trust him?”
    Denley managed a small smile. “He’s more than a gentleman. I don’t meet men like him very often.”
    Niki didn’t reply. Her eyes swung to the doorway as though she were still seeing Edward Steele. More than a gentleman. She’d never heard the phrase before but somehow knew that Denley had hit the matter squarely on the nose. She looked back to Denley to ask one more question, but his eyes were closed, his features relaxed.
    It wasn’t overly late, but Niki still readied for bed. Unless she missed her guess, they would leave Lisbon in the morning. For that reason alone she needed her sleep.

    The coach was more than adequate. It wasn’t fancy or huge, but it was comfortable, and Edward settled back, Niki beside him, and looked across at Denley, who was already lying on the seat, sound asleep. Just getting dressed and exiting the inn had exhausted the man. The color had receded from his face, and he’d panted with the labor of it all. It was no surprise that he was out cold.
    Edward’s attention suddenly swung to Niki. She had been looking at Denley also, her expression as closed off as ever.
    “Where are we going?” Edward asked of Niki’s ear, as she’d yet to look at him.
    “Coimbra.”
    “Will we stay there?”
    “If it’s safe.”
    Edward wasn’t sure just how many miles that would be, but he had a notion the ride would be long. He’d slept well in the night and was wide awake. The hours suddenly loomed ahead of him. He looked back to Niki, still getting her profile.
    “So,” Edward began, “how shall we pass the time?”
    Niki turned slowly to look at him, her eyes giving nothing away. She stared at him for several seconds before her gaze returned to Denley.
    “I know!” Edward was not put off. “I’ll try to guess why you’re dressed as you are.”
    This time Niki didn’t even bother to look at him.
    “You have found some sort of hidden treasure, and even the map leading you to the treasure is hidden.”
    Niki didn’t comment or turn.
    “No? All right then, you’ve stumbled across a plot to assassinate the king, and you must keep moving until you can return home and tell the royal family what you’ve learned.”
    Niki didn’t so much as blink.
    “No, wait!” Edward sat up in excitement. “You’re an international jewel