more carnal topics.”
Liar. With every rapid pulse kicking in his groin he wanted to sink between her thighs.
“It’s simply that you have knowledge of the people and places around Deal. You have lived in the area all your life. You know everyone, and all the estates in the area. Men would not see you as a threat when discussing pricing. But I know differently. Your beautiful face hides a mind as sharp as a rapier’s point, a most useful weapon for me to wield.”
She struggled in his grip, her plump breasts pushing fully against his chest. He felt himself harden.
“And what exactly will my duties be?”
He bit his tongue to stop an unsuitable “duty” from slipping out. He moved his hips so she could feel the evidence of his arousal. After all he’d been through over the past few days she deserved to be frightened just a little, but he needed her cooperation. “Nothing that would cause your ruin.”
She twisted and managed to flee his hold and back away from him, as if her life depended on it. “I would never have relations with you, even if it was my only chance of getting out of hell.”
He strode after her, his thoughts turning more primal as he took in her swaying hips. There was a reason women did not wear breeches.
“Have you forgotten your brother is in the house behind us? One word would have him handing ownership of your mares to me.”
She ignored him and continued walking.
“One month. One month is all I ask. I would like you to help me navigate the local gentry. I could call on you. It may even enhance your reputation.”
“You rate yourself too highly, my lord. Your reputation is tarnished, too.”
“Then help me out of the goodness of your own heart. Tell me who has estates to sell and the reasons behind the sale—which families were being forced to sell due to financial woes. Not much to ask considering what price the offspring of Caesar will bring you.” He paused hoping to get a positive response, but Rheda merely sighed. He cleared his throat. “In addition, it would help me manage mothers with marriageable daughters in the area.”
Rheda’s laugh was filled with wry amusement. She halted so suddenly he almost tripped over her as she swung back to him. “You must think me simple. A man as skilled at dodging the parson’s noose needs protection from local mothers with marriageable daughters? Hardly.” She cocked her head. “Still, I can see how when a man is trying to find a smuggler, mamas with marriage on the brain could be most annoying.”
He clenched his hands at his side. She knew he wanted the source of her barrel and guessed it was to find a smuggler, yet she still refused to give him a name. She had to know who Dark Shadow was. He grew more determined to break her cool reserve.
“Has Mrs. Rathborne cornered you already? She’s been trying to marry Mildred off to Christopher for the past twelve months.” With a laughing gleam in her eye she added, “I bet Mrs. Rathborne was the first woman he persuaded his mother to invite to your welcome dinner.”
Rufus found himself gritting back a reply. Christopher? Lord Hale’s name on her lips sounded intimate. It shouldn’t bother him in the least. Yet his body buzzed with jealousy.
“If you were to accompany me while I was in Kent, the implication would be there and I would likely not be bothered.”
She gave a very unladylike snort. “I doubt that. You heard the gossip tonight. I have not a shred of respectability left in the district. A woman like Mrs. Rathborne would not see me as an impediment to marrying her daughter to Viscount Strathmore.”
“And that would upset you?”
She looked like she was about to expand on that point but instead said, “Your wealth and status would overcome her objections to your behavior with Rheda Kerrich, the local fallen woman. She would assume a man of your status was simply engaging in a dalliance while in Kent. That would not advance my good character.”
“Very
Liar. With every rapid pulse kicking in his groin he wanted to sink between her thighs.
“It’s simply that you have knowledge of the people and places around Deal. You have lived in the area all your life. You know everyone, and all the estates in the area. Men would not see you as a threat when discussing pricing. But I know differently. Your beautiful face hides a mind as sharp as a rapier’s point, a most useful weapon for me to wield.”
She struggled in his grip, her plump breasts pushing fully against his chest. He felt himself harden.
“And what exactly will my duties be?”
He bit his tongue to stop an unsuitable “duty” from slipping out. He moved his hips so she could feel the evidence of his arousal. After all he’d been through over the past few days she deserved to be frightened just a little, but he needed her cooperation. “Nothing that would cause your ruin.”
She twisted and managed to flee his hold and back away from him, as if her life depended on it. “I would never have relations with you, even if it was my only chance of getting out of hell.”
He strode after her, his thoughts turning more primal as he took in her swaying hips. There was a reason women did not wear breeches.
“Have you forgotten your brother is in the house behind us? One word would have him handing ownership of your mares to me.”
She ignored him and continued walking.
“One month. One month is all I ask. I would like you to help me navigate the local gentry. I could call on you. It may even enhance your reputation.”
“You rate yourself too highly, my lord. Your reputation is tarnished, too.”
“Then help me out of the goodness of your own heart. Tell me who has estates to sell and the reasons behind the sale—which families were being forced to sell due to financial woes. Not much to ask considering what price the offspring of Caesar will bring you.” He paused hoping to get a positive response, but Rheda merely sighed. He cleared his throat. “In addition, it would help me manage mothers with marriageable daughters in the area.”
Rheda’s laugh was filled with wry amusement. She halted so suddenly he almost tripped over her as she swung back to him. “You must think me simple. A man as skilled at dodging the parson’s noose needs protection from local mothers with marriageable daughters? Hardly.” She cocked her head. “Still, I can see how when a man is trying to find a smuggler, mamas with marriage on the brain could be most annoying.”
He clenched his hands at his side. She knew he wanted the source of her barrel and guessed it was to find a smuggler, yet she still refused to give him a name. She had to know who Dark Shadow was. He grew more determined to break her cool reserve.
“Has Mrs. Rathborne cornered you already? She’s been trying to marry Mildred off to Christopher for the past twelve months.” With a laughing gleam in her eye she added, “I bet Mrs. Rathborne was the first woman he persuaded his mother to invite to your welcome dinner.”
Rufus found himself gritting back a reply. Christopher? Lord Hale’s name on her lips sounded intimate. It shouldn’t bother him in the least. Yet his body buzzed with jealousy.
“If you were to accompany me while I was in Kent, the implication would be there and I would likely not be bothered.”
She gave a very unladylike snort. “I doubt that. You heard the gossip tonight. I have not a shred of respectability left in the district. A woman like Mrs. Rathborne would not see me as an impediment to marrying her daughter to Viscount Strathmore.”
“And that would upset you?”
She looked like she was about to expand on that point but instead said, “Your wealth and status would overcome her objections to your behavior with Rheda Kerrich, the local fallen woman. She would assume a man of your status was simply engaging in a dalliance while in Kent. That would not advance my good character.”
“Very
Similar Books
