Read Online Anew: Book Two: Hunted by Josie Litton - Free Book Online Page A

is to wrench myself free and walk away. But if I
do that, I’ll draw unwanted attention. Stymied, I remain as I am.
     “Forgive me,” Davos says. He looks well aware of my
predicament and amused by it. “I couldn’t bear watching you stumbling about
with yet another hapless swain. I really don’t know what ails young men these
days. They are sadly lacking in both style and substance.”
    He is holding me in a perfectly proper fashion, one hand
resting lightly on my waist and the other clasping my own. His skin is cool and
dry. He smells of citrus but underneath that is a musky, oily scent that makes
me recoil. His yellow-green eyes have an almost reptilian cast. I am truly ill
at ease around Charles Davos, not in the least because he had an unhealthy
fascination with Susannah that he seems to be transferring to me.
    Above all, I’m afraid he knows that I have something to
hide. He may even have an inkling of what it is.
    I glance over his shoulder, looking for Ian or Edward.
Neither of them would approve of my dancing with Davos but they are both absent
from the ballroom at that moment. Perhaps it’s just as well that I handle this
myself.
    “What do you want?” I ask. The question is too blunt for our
gracious surroundings but I’m past caring. I just want to be done with him.
    Davos raises a brow. “You’re very direct, my dear. I can
accept that…for now. I want to do you a favor. If you’re as smart as I think
you are, you’ll be grateful.”
    The thought of owing Charles Davos anything makes my skin
crawl. “I neither need nor want any favors from you.”
    Unperturbed, he says, “You should be careful about your
dealings with Ian Slade.”
    I stumble a step. Ian and I have attended many of the same
social events but we’ve almost never been seen together in public except as
part of a larger group. Davos can’t possibly know what happened between us at
the estate or later in the city--at the opera house, the polo club, the gallery
at Pinnacle House. All those times and places that I absolutely must not think
of right now.
     “I’m friends with Helene and Marianne Slade,” I say,
proud that my voice is rock steady. “But I’m scarcely acquainted with Ian.”
    Davos smiles. “That’s very good. If I didn’t know better, I
could almost believe you. Susannah was a remarkable young woman in so many ways
but sadly that didn’t prevent her from succumbing to Slade. I would hate to see
you make the same mistake, especially under the circumstances.”
    Despite myself, I rise to the bait. “What do you mean?”
    He shrugs. “Ian has always walked a very fine line where the
law is concerned. I’m sorry to say that recently he’s crossed it. He will have
to be held accountable for his actions. No one can be allowed to operate as a
power unto himself. That simply isn’t good for society.”
    “Accountable to whom?” The moment I ask, I know I’ve made a
mistake. I’ve tacitly acknowledged that there is something Ian could account
for, at least if he was so inclined.
    “And for what?” I add hastily. “What are you claiming that
he’s done?”
    “Besides lead his private army against civilians who had not
been charged with any crime, take them prisoner, and interrogate them himself
using who-knows-what barbaric methods? Make no mistake, such actions will not
be tolerated.”
    I struggle to conceal my shock. To the best of my knowledge,
only a handful of people know about Ian’s involvement in the destruction of the
HPF. How does Davos?
    He draws me a little closer. “I would hate to see you caught
up in the official reaction to Slade’s disregard for the rule of law. You have
a chance for a wonderful life here but that won’t be the case if you are linked
to him.”
    The anger I experienced earlier returns in force. How dare
the likes of Charles Davos claim that being associated with a man of Ian’s
courage and honor could harm anyone? He isn’t fit to wipe the mud off