Read Online Gallant Rogue (Reluctant Heroes Book 3) by Lily Silver - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lily Silver
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tone taking on a sharp edge. “You kissed her under the mistletoe."
“I was one of many who did so that night.” Jack sipped his brandy.
“Yes, and then you took her outdoors to help her get away from the other men. Poor girl wasn’t even allowed to sit down and capture her breath between zealous beaus carrying her off for yet another dance, and another. And then you took her away from all that sordid attention. You rescued her ..."
“I did nothing of the kind. 'T’was you who pointed out to me that she was ready to faint from exhaustion; you advised me to spirit her away so she could recover herself.”
Barnaby’s lips rolled, and he looked away from Jack for the first time during this odd conversation. “I was concerned for the young lady. Her devoted suitor seemed oblivious to her plight, God rest his soul.”
The more Barnaby spoke, the more Jack recalled of the evening. Yes, Gareth O’Donovan had been brick brained when it came to looking out for his intended. Jack supposed it was due to all his bookish learning and such. Chloe had been in desperate straits with men fawning over her and abusing the rules of propriety by insisting she dance with them.
Jack slowly set his empty glass on the table and turned away from the canny old fellow. He looked out the large windows at the darkened sea. His mind came alive with memories of Chloe Ramirez, of that brief interlude he wished he could forget. He longed to kiss her in the garden. He yearned to sweep her into his arms and kiss her like a woman should be kissed, with heart and soul. Instead, they merely spoke briefly before Gareth came looking for her.
And then the arrogant bloke smacked Jack in the mouth and accused him of treachery.
Gareth had a flare for dramatics. He’d been deliberately laying it on thick to impress his lady. The fellow adored pithy sayings and went around quoting Shakespeare like a Methodist preacher spouting sacred verse. In retrospect, Jack understood it was Gareth’s way of making himself appear the hero and Jack the villain. Poorly done, but done, just the same. It worked, as she married the fellow within hours of the incident.
“I must confess all to you, my good man, as you will be spending much time with Mrs. O’Donovan in the coming weeks. It’s only fair I should warn you about the pull of an old enchantment that is sure to affect your senses. A spell I tampered with, I admit to my shame.”
Jack spun about on his heels to challenge the ancient wizard. He had never heard such a ridiculous story in his life. “What are you implying?”
Barnaby’s features were heavy with regret. “Powerful magic was loosed that night, an enchantment meant for one man. I interfered. I changed the intentions of the spell. I’ve been a very bad wizard, Captain Rawlings. I pray you can forgive me for my folly.”
“Great Neptune.” Jack was uncomfortable with all this talk of magic. The islanders believed in voodoo and all that rot. Even the count, a scientist, believed his wife was something of a sorceress. Druid was the term the count used. Jack just nodded politely when his otherwise logical friend talked such nonsense and let it pass. What else could one do when faced with an old and loyal friend’s delusions? Nod politely, smile, and change the subject.
“Do you recall the lemon biscuits I gave you that night?” the old fellow asked, seeming to be taking another strict detour from his intended destination.
“Aye.” Tasty morsels. The kind he couldn’t stop eating. “Where did you get them?”
“Miss Ramirez made them. More to the point, she added some potent magic to the batter, intending to offer them as a gift to one man; Gareth O’Donovan.”
“I assume he ate the rest of the batch and then promptly fell on his knees before her and proposed that same night? They were married quickly, as I remember it.”
“Gareth was her intended recipient, but he never received her gift. I met Miss Ramirez in the garden
“I was one of many who did so that night.” Jack sipped his brandy.
“Yes, and then you took her outdoors to help her get away from the other men. Poor girl wasn’t even allowed to sit down and capture her breath between zealous beaus carrying her off for yet another dance, and another. And then you took her away from all that sordid attention. You rescued her ..."
“I did nothing of the kind. 'T’was you who pointed out to me that she was ready to faint from exhaustion; you advised me to spirit her away so she could recover herself.”
Barnaby’s lips rolled, and he looked away from Jack for the first time during this odd conversation. “I was concerned for the young lady. Her devoted suitor seemed oblivious to her plight, God rest his soul.”
The more Barnaby spoke, the more Jack recalled of the evening. Yes, Gareth O’Donovan had been brick brained when it came to looking out for his intended. Jack supposed it was due to all his bookish learning and such. Chloe had been in desperate straits with men fawning over her and abusing the rules of propriety by insisting she dance with them.
Jack slowly set his empty glass on the table and turned away from the canny old fellow. He looked out the large windows at the darkened sea. His mind came alive with memories of Chloe Ramirez, of that brief interlude he wished he could forget. He longed to kiss her in the garden. He yearned to sweep her into his arms and kiss her like a woman should be kissed, with heart and soul. Instead, they merely spoke briefly before Gareth came looking for her.
And then the arrogant bloke smacked Jack in the mouth and accused him of treachery.
Gareth had a flare for dramatics. He’d been deliberately laying it on thick to impress his lady. The fellow adored pithy sayings and went around quoting Shakespeare like a Methodist preacher spouting sacred verse. In retrospect, Jack understood it was Gareth’s way of making himself appear the hero and Jack the villain. Poorly done, but done, just the same. It worked, as she married the fellow within hours of the incident.
“I must confess all to you, my good man, as you will be spending much time with Mrs. O’Donovan in the coming weeks. It’s only fair I should warn you about the pull of an old enchantment that is sure to affect your senses. A spell I tampered with, I admit to my shame.”
Jack spun about on his heels to challenge the ancient wizard. He had never heard such a ridiculous story in his life. “What are you implying?”
Barnaby’s features were heavy with regret. “Powerful magic was loosed that night, an enchantment meant for one man. I interfered. I changed the intentions of the spell. I’ve been a very bad wizard, Captain Rawlings. I pray you can forgive me for my folly.”
“Great Neptune.” Jack was uncomfortable with all this talk of magic. The islanders believed in voodoo and all that rot. Even the count, a scientist, believed his wife was something of a sorceress. Druid was the term the count used. Jack just nodded politely when his otherwise logical friend talked such nonsense and let it pass. What else could one do when faced with an old and loyal friend’s delusions? Nod politely, smile, and change the subject.
“Do you recall the lemon biscuits I gave you that night?” the old fellow asked, seeming to be taking another strict detour from his intended destination.
“Aye.” Tasty morsels. The kind he couldn’t stop eating. “Where did you get them?”
“Miss Ramirez made them. More to the point, she added some potent magic to the batter, intending to offer them as a gift to one man; Gareth O’Donovan.”
“I assume he ate the rest of the batch and then promptly fell on his knees before her and proposed that same night? They were married quickly, as I remember it.”
“Gareth was her intended recipient, but he never received her gift. I met Miss Ramirez in the garden
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