Read Online Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel - Free Book Online

arm.

    "Does it make a difference?"

    He gazed down at her. Had he really hoped for better treatment from her when her uncle was not watching her every utterance? "No," he said. "No difference at all." She flushed at his curt reply, and it was a measure of his irritation with her dislike of him that he hardly cared. "It is at least a subject of conversation to occupy us. Better than stone-cold silence between us."

    She looked over her shoulder, then quickly back. "Very well." She took a breath. "As a girl, my lord, I divided the Roman rulers into two groups, those who died unnaturally and those who did not"

    My God, she sounded as though she were giving a lecture.

    'The former may be further grouped according to whether they were assassinated, murdered by the Praetorian guards, executed, a suicide, or killed in battle. I was astonished to learn that for quite a long while it was unusual for an emperor, and I use that term loosely here as many emperors never so styled themselves, to die anything but unnaturally."

    "Had you a favorite among the various groups?" He was interested despite himself, despite a strong suspicion that she intended to put him off with this display of erudition.

    "Comodus. Assassinated, it's said, by a wrestler, and Hadrian because I was born near Hadrian's Wall."

    "I am ashamed of my single choice of Caligula."

    "He was a fine emperor." Her face was intent, and Foye wondered if she knew she'd gotten carried away with the subject "I approve of your favorite, my lord." She nodded to herself. "Godard would say it shows you have a discerning mind. But then, you are on his assiduously maintained list I expected no less."

    "I am flattered you think so," he said. He meant it. She distrusted him, and if she admired his mind despite that, he was well pleased. He could see himself in twenty, forty, or even fifty years, still being fascinated by her mind.

    Now that was quite a thought for him to be having.

    "I admire the Romans no matter what I say about the Greeks," she went on. "Don't let Godard convince you other-wise about me. The Roman influence went geographically farther, and they did take knowledge of the Greeks with them." She gave him a sideways look. "Have you been to Serjillo?"

    "Not yet" Serjillo was an abandoned Roman city in northern Syria, one of many in the region, and yes, he did intend to see at least some of the Roman ruins. "But I shall certainly place it on my itinerary now"

    They came to a section of the suq where the merchants were selling jewelry, and Foye slowed. The rug merchants were still a ways distant "The Roman ruins are to be a chapter in his book," she said.

    "The one you're helping him write?"

    She nodded.

    A glance behind them gave Foye a glimpse of Lieutenant Russell walking quickly away from Sir Henry. And he had said nothing of Crosshaven yet He stopped walking and decided it was time to take his honor in hand and let her know what had happened: "Perhaps," he said, "we ought to bring a few matters into the open."

    Her mouth tightened. There was something forlorn about the way she went so still, as if she were bracing herself for tragic news. She nodded to him, a very small movement of her head. "Good God," he said, both offended and appalled. "You think I'm going to proposition you, don't you?"

    "You would not be the first acquaintance of Lord Crosshaven's to do so."

    "Crosshaven and I have parted ways." Foye heard the touch of anger in his voice but seemed powerless to suppress it "He is no friend of mine. Please be assured of that, Miss Godard."

    She started walking again. Foye took a long step to catch up and was shocked to see her near tears. He drew her arm through his, but she moved sharply away.

    'This is nonsense," he said. "It is polite for a gentleman to take a young lady's arm when they are walking out."

    "We are not walking out"

    "That isn't what I meant, and well you know it" He bent closer. "Even if I thought you had been to bed with