Read Online Clandestine by Nichole van - Free Book Online

surreal, like some trick from a traveling gypsy circus. Maybe the man was a gypsy himself, come to think of it.
    Kit could only stare as the gig slowed and then came to a stop right before the dangerous turn in the road.
    All in all, the entire incident had lasted less than a minute.
    Breathing heavily and shaking from delayed shock, Kit watched as her rescuer patted the horse’s neck, making soothing noises and calming the frightened animal. With the same easy grace, the man dismounted, holding the lathered horse still and keeping a reassuring hand on the animal’s neck.
    And then he lifted his head and turned his attention to her.
    Oh my , whispered Virtuous Angel.
    Oh my, indeed.
    Dark, wind-blown hair curled over his ears and coat collar. A day or two of beard growth stubbled his cheeks. His tanned skin hinted at a life spent outdoors. A caped greatcoat clung to his shoulders and then dropped straight to practically brush the ground, a blue jacket peeking out underneath. The wild chase had rumpled him, leaving his coat askew, chest heaving for air.
    But it was his eyes—vividly green against his tanned cheeks and dark hair—that held her attention. They thrummed with life, promising a rogue’s tongue and unruly past.
    A far cry from the pampered, fussy, civilized men who inhabited her life.
    Uhmmm . . . suggestion, murmured Wicked Angel. When we abscond with a couple rings and the gig, I nominate we take him too.
    Kit sighed in agreement.
    Not helping, Virtuous Angel muttered. The last thing we need is a pretty-faced distraction right now.
    But, oh, what a delicious distraction . . .
    Who was he? And how had he happened to be along the private lane to Haldon Manor?
    Though bedraggled, the fine-cut and fabric of his clothing spoke of refinement and money. Her mystery man cocked his head at her, continuing to pat the horse comfortingly, catching his breath.
    “Good heavens,” Kit murmured. Though the word came out as more of a breathy sigh than an exclamation.
    Not exactly the best beginning. She tried again.
    “Thank you, sir.” She nodded at him, unable to tear her eyes free. His striking gaze pinned her to her seat.
    “Are you . . . unharmed?” His low, cultured voice was still somewhat winded but confirmed him a gentleman.
    “I am well. You have my deepest thanks.” Kit blinked. Surely her eyes were too wide, wide, wide.
    She smoothed her hands against her skirts and used the excuse to cast a quick glance down at her clothing.
    Drat.
    Her cloak had swung around to her front and her bonnet was gone, torn from her head by the terrifying ride, no doubt. In her peripheral vision, she could see locks of hair dangling free from their pins. She actively resisted the urge to pat them back into place. Not that it would help, really.
    She didn’t need a mirror to know she looked a fright.
    And even with everything set to rights, she would still be wearing a second-hand brown wool dress—a lady of genteel birth fallen on hard times.
    Which, currently, described her situation quite accurately.
    How would this man react if he could see her as she looked at home in her own clothing, coolly confident? Well . . . at least as confident as she could be. And how pathetic she even thought such a thing.
    He could never see her like that. It would risk too much. A man like him would never be welcome in her world.
    He said nothing, but merely scrubbed an ungloved hand through his mussed hair, somehow rendering it just that much more tempting.
    How could a man sprint onto the back of a runaway horse and come out looking even better than before? Not that she had seen him before, but still.
    It wasn’t fair.
    Kit generally considered herself immune to attractive men. Inoculated against them.
    She had been raised with her handsome brother after all, and the men she associated with before landing at Haldon Manor were an urbane lot. Clever, sophisticated, moneyed.
    In short, Kit Ashton was not the sort of woman to become infatuated