Sweet as the Devil by Susan Johnson Page A

fun.” She ran her finger down his arm, intrigued by a man who refused her advances. More intrigued by a man who wasn’t the usual docile suitor out to please her. “Are we truly leaving tonight?”
    He silently groaned. It was going to be torture until Von Welden was dead. “Yes, tonight. Just as soon as you’ve taken leave of your friends.”
    “I have to pack.”
    “You can’t return to your house. Von Welden’s men might be waiting for you.”
    She shot him a playful look. “Am I confined to this gown for the duration?”
    “Of course not. We’ll buy you what you need,” he said with patient tolerance.
    “We?”
    “Your father.”
    “Is he very rich?”
    “Yes, very.”
    Mention of the prince brought her mother to mind. “We have to stop and see Mother on the way north. It won’t be out of the way,” she quickly added as Jamie began to frown. “She’s practically on the rail line.”
    “We won’t be traveling by train. The stations might be under surveillance. Do you ride?”
    “All the way to the Highlands?” she asked with alarm.
    “Relax. We’ll take a carriage. But you may wish to ride on occasion. It’s a long trip—more so since we can’t travel by the post roads.”
    “This duchy must be very valuable.”
    “It is. And Von Welden’s a sadistic thug.”
    “Did you know the prince’s son?”
    “He was like a younger brother.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Thank you.”
    It was the first time he’d spoken with kindness. She was surprised how the softness of his voice affected her. “You must miss him.”
    “Rupert followed me around since he learned to walk. Or at least he did until he turned eighteen and moved to Vienna. He was a good boy.” A muscle twitched along Jamie’s jaw. “Von Welden will be made to suffer.”
    The ruthlessness in his voice sent a shiver up her spine. Was she caught up in some wickedness beyond her powers to comprehend? Was she too gullible in accepting the tale she’d been told? Would James Blackwood turn on her with equal ruthlessness? “Promise me we’ll see my mother before we reach the Highlands.”
    He’d spent a decade or more intimidating people. Men were afraid of him because he wished them to be. It was a useful attribute in his line of work. He recognized the apprehension in her voice, and for a moment he debated taking advantage of her fear. Perhaps she’d keep her distance if he terrified her. But as he turned to answer, he saw a beautiful woman half his size, her eyes wide with panic.
    He didn’t have the heart to frighten her.
    In fact, in another life, he’d have taken her to bed tonight.
    “I promise we’ll see her,” he gently said.
    “Thank you.”
    It was his turn to be touched when he would have preferred indifference. She was so appreciative, her words so pathetically earnest, he had to remind himself that he was a soldier on duty. Reaching out, he circled her wrist with his fingers and gently drew her to a halt. Taking her by the shoulders, he shifted her slightly and looked down on her for a brief, contemplative moment, debating how best to deal with their awkward dilemma. “I don’t want this to turn into a contest of wills or a silly game,” he gently began. “I’m sorely tempted to take you up on your wager and, more to the point, let you win. You’re enticing in every way known to man, and I would if I could but I can’t.” Releasing his grip on her shoulders, he dropped his hands. “My job is to protect you. Anything more will complicate things. I hope you understand.”
    “I’ll try.”
    He took a short, calming breath. “You have to try very hard, Miss Eastleigh. I can’t do this alone.”
    “Sofia, please.”
    “Very well, Sofia.” This was going to be a real test of his willpower . “Now, first things first. We have to stay alive. Nothing else matters. Not what you want. Not what I want.” Definitely not.
    “Yes, yes, I’ll really try to be good.”
    “I’d feel better,” he drily said,