Read Online A Gentleman Says "I Do" by Amelia Grey - Free Book Online Page B

gave her an appreciative smile. “But you will dance with me one evening, Miss Crisp, so plan on it.” He placed his hat back on his head, nodded once, and turned away.
    Mr. Brentwood was a man who needed to be put in his place in the worst way. And she would love to be the person to do it. The problem was she hadn’t had enough dealings with men to know how to do it.
    Unfortunately, Mr. Brentwood knew that.
    Catalina forced herself not to stomp her foot as she watched his retreating back. She refused to let him goad her into such childish behavior, though it would feel very good right now to do so. He was by far the most infuriating, stimulating, and arrogant man she had ever met.
    She was still watching Mr. Brentwood’s imposing back when she heard a horse nicker in alarm. Curious, she stepped closer to the street to see what was going on.
    Harnessed to a lightweight carriage, a frightened horse jerked its head and reared in its traces, bucking the young gentleman driver backward off his seat and nearly toppling the gig. Powerful front hooves slammed down on the packed ground a second before the horse crabbed sideways into a passing curricle. That startled the bay even more. He chinned the sky again and screamed, then bolted from the hocks.
    At the same time, Catalina saw a small dog limping across the road and heading straight into the path of the runaway horse and gig. She reacted without thinking.
    Catalina barely heard her aunt and Mr. Brentwood shout her name over the panic roaring in her ears and the frantic rattle of harness and wheels, but she paid them no mind. She sprinted into the road, leaned over, and scooped the mutt into her arms on the run.
    But her success was short lived.
    The toe of her shoe tangled in her hem, and she stumbled to her knees.

Five
    The better part of valor is discretion.
    —William Shakespeare
    Iverson saw the dog at the same time Catalina did, and he started running. His heart hammered. Damnation, he knew she was going to try to save it.
    “No, Miss Crisp, don’t!” he yelled, dropping his hat and racing toward her at breakneck speed.
    But she paid no heed to him or her aunt who was repeatedly shrieking her name.
    He watched as Miss Crisp grabbed the dog. It looked as if she was going to get out of the way in time, but suddenly she pitched forward and fell to her knees, clutching the dog to her chest. The horse and carriage barreled straight toward her. Fear like Iverson had never known erupted inside him and spurred him faster.
    As Iverson grabbed her under the arms and shoved her forward, she flung the dog out of harm’s way. A second later, the rig careened by, but not before the big wheel caught his hip a glancing blow, spinning him around. He recoiled from the jolt and pain splintering through him.
    “Are you all right?” he asked breathlessly, gently helping Miss Crisp to stand.
    “Yes, yes, I’m fine,” she said, holding onto his forearms to help steady herself.
    She didn’t look fine. Her face was pale, and he could tell by the tremble in her hands she knew just how close she’d come to being killed.
    Ignoring his pain, Iverson looked around as her aunt came rushing up to them. He saw the Corinthian had finally brought the horse and gig to a stop a short distance away. Not saying a word to anyone, he turned and stomped over to where the young blade sat. Iverson grabbed him by the neckcloth and unceremoniously hauled him down from off of the gig.
    “You reckless greenhorn! You almost killed her.”
    “I’m sorry, sir,” the wide-eyed young man mumbled. “I was trying my best to stop the horse. It wasn’t my fault.”
    “Of course it was your fault. You’re the driver.”
    “No, some little street bugger threw a rock with what looked like a slingshot and hit my horse’s flank, causing him to bolt.”
    Iverson tightened his hold on the man’s clothing and yanked him up close to his face. “I don’t care what happened to the horse. You should have been