Read Online A Rose at Midnight by Anne Stuart - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Anne Stuart
Ads: Link
revenge.”
“I’m too distracted to concentrate. Besides, I expect I win when you’re in the mood to let me win.”
“Are you accusing me of cheating? I could call you out for that if you were a man,” he murmured, stretching his long, long legs in front of hint and admiring his lavender hose. Carmichael had taken one look at those lavender silk stockings and roared with laughter, but as usual Tony was unruffled by Carmichael’s amusement. He’d simply informed his friend that they were all the crack, and Carmichael was too much of a country bumpkin to recognize fashion.
Ellen herself had her doubts about the lavender hose, but she had to admit Tony had superb legs. She forced herself to concentrate. “But I’m not a man,” she pointed out.
“I’ve noticed,” he said dryly, an odd expression on his face.
“And besides, you only cheat to lose. That’s hardly a grave insult.”
“Any irregularity in matters of gaming is deemed worthy of a duel.”
“But you don’t fight duels.”
“There’s always a first. Do you want me to vanquish Nicholas Blackthorne if he’s still in residence? I could call him out, put a bullet in his black heart, and finish the business there and then.”
She felt an odd little start of panic. “Don’t be absurd, Tony. He’d be much more likely to kill you.”
“I didn’t know you cared.”
“Who would bring me chocolates?” she demanded with a mischievous smile.
“Or naughty French novels? Very well, I’ll keep myself safe. I cannot talk you into remaining a few more days?”
“You cannot,” she said, stifling the pang inside.
“Then at least let me escort you back to Ainsley Hall. The roads are dangerous nowadays, with highwaymen and the like. And if Nicholas hasn’t departed I can at least speed him on the way.”
“I won’t be able to offer you any hospitality,” she warned him, much pleased by his offer.
Tony waved an airy hand. “I wouldn’t expect it. Does that mean I’m considered as great a threat as Blackthorne? What a compliment.”
“Any man is considered a threat. And it’s entirely ridiculous. Are you certain you want to accompany me, Tony? After all, you’d be curtailing your own visit as well. I thought you planned on staying a fortnight.”
Tony smiled at her with particular sweetness. “I find my reason for being here to have disappeared. When you leave I’ll be more than ready to leave too.”
He didn’t mean what she thought he did. She was wise enough to realize that. Nevertheless, she was too cowardly to ask exactly what he did mean. On this rare occasion, ignorance was indeed bliss.
“When would you care to leave?” Tony continued, obviously unaware of the troubled direction her thoughts had taken.
“As soon as possible. Tomorrow morning, at first light. I simply can’t rid myself of the feeling that something quite terrible has happened.”
Tony drained his claret. “And I’ll be more than happy to prove to you that nothing at all is amiss. Your wonderful French chef can provide me with a splendid meal, and I’ll spend the night at the local tavern. Does that sound acceptable to you?”
“Perfect,” she said. “As long as…” She let her voice trail off in confusion. She was about to say as long as Gilly was still there. But there’d be no reason for her to have left. She certainly wasn’t going to fall prey to Nicholas Blackthorne’s wiles.
“As long as what?”
She managed a bright smile. “As long as you let me beat you at chess again.”
“Done,” he said, a curious warmth in his very gray eyes. “You have only to ask and I’m your obedient servant.”
She was used to polite phrases from gentlemen who never meant them. Tony was being just as glib. It was only her fault that she half-believed he meant them.
Nicholas Blackthorne leaned back in the chair, a cool cloth held against his face. He was winded, damnably weak, and cursing. Not cursing as much as the female now lying facedown on
“I’m too distracted to concentrate. Besides, I expect I win when you’re in the mood to let me win.”
“Are you accusing me of cheating? I could call you out for that if you were a man,” he murmured, stretching his long, long legs in front of hint and admiring his lavender hose. Carmichael had taken one look at those lavender silk stockings and roared with laughter, but as usual Tony was unruffled by Carmichael’s amusement. He’d simply informed his friend that they were all the crack, and Carmichael was too much of a country bumpkin to recognize fashion.
Ellen herself had her doubts about the lavender hose, but she had to admit Tony had superb legs. She forced herself to concentrate. “But I’m not a man,” she pointed out.
“I’ve noticed,” he said dryly, an odd expression on his face.
“And besides, you only cheat to lose. That’s hardly a grave insult.”
“Any irregularity in matters of gaming is deemed worthy of a duel.”
“But you don’t fight duels.”
“There’s always a first. Do you want me to vanquish Nicholas Blackthorne if he’s still in residence? I could call him out, put a bullet in his black heart, and finish the business there and then.”
She felt an odd little start of panic. “Don’t be absurd, Tony. He’d be much more likely to kill you.”
“I didn’t know you cared.”
“Who would bring me chocolates?” she demanded with a mischievous smile.
“Or naughty French novels? Very well, I’ll keep myself safe. I cannot talk you into remaining a few more days?”
“You cannot,” she said, stifling the pang inside.
“Then at least let me escort you back to Ainsley Hall. The roads are dangerous nowadays, with highwaymen and the like. And if Nicholas hasn’t departed I can at least speed him on the way.”
“I won’t be able to offer you any hospitality,” she warned him, much pleased by his offer.
Tony waved an airy hand. “I wouldn’t expect it. Does that mean I’m considered as great a threat as Blackthorne? What a compliment.”
“Any man is considered a threat. And it’s entirely ridiculous. Are you certain you want to accompany me, Tony? After all, you’d be curtailing your own visit as well. I thought you planned on staying a fortnight.”
Tony smiled at her with particular sweetness. “I find my reason for being here to have disappeared. When you leave I’ll be more than ready to leave too.”
He didn’t mean what she thought he did. She was wise enough to realize that. Nevertheless, she was too cowardly to ask exactly what he did mean. On this rare occasion, ignorance was indeed bliss.
“When would you care to leave?” Tony continued, obviously unaware of the troubled direction her thoughts had taken.
“As soon as possible. Tomorrow morning, at first light. I simply can’t rid myself of the feeling that something quite terrible has happened.”
Tony drained his claret. “And I’ll be more than happy to prove to you that nothing at all is amiss. Your wonderful French chef can provide me with a splendid meal, and I’ll spend the night at the local tavern. Does that sound acceptable to you?”
“Perfect,” she said. “As long as…” She let her voice trail off in confusion. She was about to say as long as Gilly was still there. But there’d be no reason for her to have left. She certainly wasn’t going to fall prey to Nicholas Blackthorne’s wiles.
“As long as what?”
She managed a bright smile. “As long as you let me beat you at chess again.”
“Done,” he said, a curious warmth in his very gray eyes. “You have only to ask and I’m your obedient servant.”
She was used to polite phrases from gentlemen who never meant them. Tony was being just as glib. It was only her fault that she half-believed he meant them.
Nicholas Blackthorne leaned back in the chair, a cool cloth held against his face. He was winded, damnably weak, and cursing. Not cursing as much as the female now lying facedown on
Similar Books
