The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch Page A

She answered his questions graciously, and even posed a few thoughtful questions of her own. However, she showed him no special preference.
    Why Jared noticed, he refused to examine too closely. He certainly didn’t care. He had come here to fulfill an assignment. Then he’d try to start a new life without the Secret Service, pirates, or intrigue.
    He idly scanned the terrain and vegetation, his ears trained on the conversation, but the discussions remained on politics and the races and other manly subjects. Nothing regarding shipping, nor pirates, nor business arose.
    Greymore, riding next to Von Barondy, called to Lord Druesdale. After an apology to Mrs. Berkley, Druesdale eased his horse back to ride beside his host and the viscount.
    Mrs. Berkley looked out over the horizon, as if she longed to be in another place far, far away. Where did she long to go? Mr. Bradford, a widower he’d met days earlier, often watched her as well, his mouth working as if trying to muster the nerve to speak to the lady. Clearly both Bradford and Druesdale had good sense.
    Against his better judgment, Jared maneuvered next to her. “Mrs. Berkley, I received an invitation from your son to join him fishing at my earliest convenience.”
    She glanced at him but quickly averted her eyes. “He’ll understand if you are indisposed, Mr. Amesbury.” She spoke politely, but without any true warmth.
    He chose to ignore both her tone and his desire to discover the reason behind it. Instead he quirked an irreverent grin. “What? And lose my excuse to spend an afternoon in indolence?”
    After another brief glance, she smiled faintly.
    He tried again. “Perhaps I merely flatter myself, but I believe Colin would be disappointed if I failed to fish with him.”
    “He would indeed.” Again, she kept her gaze averted.
    Curious as to why the lady who’d looked so boldly at him moments ago now refused to make eye contact, Jared looked down. His clothing all appeared proper; tasteful, fashionable yet understated with the classic buff breeches, understated waistcoat and Oxford blue coat. Even the cravat remained undisturbed. His boots shone from the attention Gibbs had shown them. He’d even left his weapons at home. Most of them.
    “Have I something stuck in my teeth?” He bared his teeth at her.
    That won him a startled look of puzzlement. Her eyes focused on his mouth before darting away. “No.”
    He hesitated, dismayed how much her opinion mattered and how her coolness left him bereft. In a hushed voice, he asked, “What have I done to offend you?”
    “Nothing.” She continued to pointedly keep her eyes off him, but an expression akin to distress flickered over her features.
    At a loss, Jared waited, but she made no further comment. Why this seemed so important to him, he could not begin to guess. “Would you tell me if I had?” he asked gently.
    Her eyes shot to him again, but this time her gaze lingered as if she tried to divine his character, but feared to truly see it. “You’re very candid.”
    “I am.” He stared unseeing over the landscape. “I was as a child, too. My father despaired of my impetuous nature and my unfashionable habit of speaking my mind.”
    Strange that he’d find a career which required that he speak more lies than truth when his nature begged to be forthright. But he had not exactly chosen his present career; rather it chose him. And he did take a certain delight in playing a role.
    Jared glanced at Mrs. Berkley. Something about her awoke a long-denied desire to express his thoughts. A desire to confide. A desire he’d smothered for years in order to stay alive.
    He added, “Perhaps you bring out the candid side of me. You were uncomfortably honest regarding your opinion of me the first time we met.”
    Her beguiling lips twitched in amusement. “Your actions demanded swift retribution.”
    “No doubt. But underneath your serene exterior is an articulate and intelligent woman who does not hesitate to