A Daring Passion by Rosemary Rogers Page B

so.” His fingers traced an aimless pattern on her lower back. “I may not be attempting to save the world by robbing unsuspecting travelers, but I do have my responsibilities.”
    Her lips tightened at his deliberate jab, but she was not distracted. “Like your brother.”
    â€œJean-Pierre. Yes, damn his soul. Not only have I traveled for a fortnight to reach this dismal country, but now it appears I shall be forced to journey to France.”
    She blinked at the edge in his voice. “You make it sound as if it is something terrible. There are a great number of people who would be in raptures at the thought of spending their days in such a lovely place.” Her lips twisted. “Especially if they possessed the funds to stay at the most elegant châteaus and palaces in the world.”
    Philippe stiffened as she unwittingly touched the wound that festered deep inside him.
    â€œI…dislike France.”
    Her dark gaze searched his countenance; no doubt she sensed the coldness that was beginning to chase away the delicious heat that had so briefly held him in its grip.
    â€œBut, you said you were born there.”
    â€œA perfect reason to hold it in abhorrence, would you not agree?”
    A grudging smile twitched at her lips. “Perhaps to a certain extent, but not even your birth there can make me think of France as anything but a wondrous place.”
    â€œThen perhaps I shall take you with me when I go,” Philippe said before he even knew the words were going to come out of his mouth. He did not know where they came from, or what had even prompted the strange compulsion, but once he recovered from his momentary shock he realized that it felt…right.
    If he were forced to travel through detestable France in search of an unknown enemy from his past, he surely deserved to have some compensation?
    Raine widened her eyes in disbelief at his words. “What did you say?”
    He deliberately stroked his fingers down the slender curve of her hip. “I will no doubt be occupied with my tasks much of the time, but there will be moments I could slip away to be with you.”
    â€œAnd you think I would be sitting around simply awaiting you to find a moment for me?”
    â€œIt is surely better than continuing your rather dangerous occupation as a highwayman,” he replied as his roaming hand reached the soft curve of her backside.
    â€œI am not…” She snapped her lips together and gave a shake of her head. “No.”
    â€œThat is not a word often used in my presence, querida. ”
    Her dark eyes flashed with anger. “I will not become your…mistress. And I certainly will not travel to France.”
    Philippe was genuinely startled. He had never considered himself particularly vain, but after years of having women plotting and scheming to attract his attention he was jaded enough to expect most females to be delighted at the thought of being in his company.
    Especially a young woman who was no more than the daughter of a highwayman, no matter what her education.
    â€œAnd what is it you object to, Raine? Becoming my mistress or traveling to France?”
    â€œBoth.”
    An unexpected flare of anger raced through him. This woman had given him her innocence. He had felt her shudder her climax in his arms. And even now he could feel her body stir beneath his light touch. He had given her the first taste of passion she had ever experienced.
    Not to mention the fact he could buy her anything her maidenly heart might desire.
    She should be in raptures.
    Instead a mulish expression was settled on her features.
    â€œYou said that you thought France so wondrous.”
    â€œIt is, but I must return to my father. He will be worried sick and there is no telling what he may do if I do not appear soon.”
    Philippe gave a lift of his brows. “You believe you can return home as if nothing has happened?”
    â€œWhy should I not? It is not