To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander Read Free Book Online

you, sir.” The words were out before she could catch them, and Olivia did her best to appear appropriately affronted. “I was merely looking at you as the carriage passed.” But she had to glance away as she said it, knowing it wasn’t the full truth. Or even a partial one.
    “Of course, ma’am. I didn’t mean to insinuate anything on your part. I’m sorry.” His mouth didn’t turn but she’d have sworn he was smiling on the inside. “But even if you
had
been staring, which you weren’t, I realize,” he added quickly, “I shouldn’t have winked. It was —”
    “Improper,” she supplied, daring herself not to blink.
    “Yes, ma’am. And therefore —” He tilted his head, a ghost of a smile showing. “My offered apology.”
    Sensing his sincerity only made her feel more guilty about the lie, which in turn made her more eager for him to leave. “And your apology is kindly accepted. But now …” She looked beyond him, hoping he’d take the genteel hint. “Understanding that help is already on the way, you needn’t feel any obligation to stay with me. I’m quite capable on my own.”
    “I have no doubt about that, ma’am.” He stepped back and studied the window. “But if you’re game, I’d be happy to help you climb through there.”
    Not about to admit she’d already tried — and still intended — to do that very thing, Olivia drew herself up. “Climbing through a window is hardly behavior suitable for a lady.”
    He laughed and rubbed his bearded jaw. “Perhaps not …
m’lady
.” He said it with a touch of haughtiness, bowing at the waist like some English lord. “But you’d be out of there and on your way again. Which
is
your objective, is it not, Mrs….?”
    Olivia leveled a disapproving stare, something she’d done once with Charles but never again, having paid for that mistake dearly. But this man wasn’t Charles, and she didn’t appreciate his taking the liberty of asking for her name instead of waiting until they’d been properly introduced. She had the feeling he’d done it intentionally too, knowing it would rile her.
    She wasn’t taking the bait. “I thank you, sir, for stopping to ascertain my well-being. But I believe it would be best to wait until help arrives. And — if you will allow me — I also believe your assistance would be best lent in going for help as well.”
    Laugh lines crinkled the corners of his eyes. “You want me to leave.”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “No, ma’am, you didn’t. Not outright. But you said it well enough just the same.”
    Olivia didn’t know how to respond. He was so direct. So free with his opinions — and his apologies, but she swept the latter point aside. There were proper rules of etiquette to be followed between a man and woman, especially when they were strangers, and this man seemed bent on plowing through them all. “What I’m attempting to say to you, sir —”
    “I know what you’re saying, ma’am. So I’m only going to ask you this once more. Do you want me to help you climb out of there or not?”
    She drew herself up. “I do not.”
    “No one’s going to see.”
    “I don’t care who sees, it’s the —”
    “Suit yourself then.” He took a step back. “After all, this seems like a safe enough road, and you
are
locked inside a carriage. By my calculation, we can’t be more than a couple of miles from Belle Meade, so it shouldn’t be long before your driver returns.”
    Olivia eyed him. “So … you
know
where you’re going then?”
    He looked at her as though she were daft. “Generally I try to make that the case, yes, ma’am. Don’t you?”
    She suppressed a sigh. “What I meant was … you’re aware that this road leads to the Belle Meade Plantation?”
    “I am.”
    “Well.” Feeling as though she had the upper hand and enjoying it, Olivia smoothed her skirt. “If it saves you any trouble, I can tell you that General Harding isn’t hiring right now. He has all the help he