Read Online Kiss From a Rogue by Shirley Karr - Free Book Online Page A

insane,” Sylvia said. “We don’t have any idea who this man is. We don’t even know his name.”
    “Well then, lad, what’s your name?” one of the watchdogs said.
    “It doesn’t matter,” the eldest codger interrupted. “Have you gone daft, woman?”
    “You’re not thinking this through, you old fart.” The housekeeper leaned forward. “If he goes down to the beach with you tonight, pretending to be my lady’s new husband, the captain won’t touch her. And if this lad is the one handing over the purse, he can’t exactly bear witness against us, now can he?”
    “She has a good point.” The redheaded lad stroked his chin.
    “Would it hold up with the magistrate, if it came to that?”
    “Don’t matter, we can’t trust him.”
    “Might be worth a try.”
    “I say we cut off his ears and gouge out his eyes. Won’t see nothing, won’t hear nothing.”
    Tony’s head began to swim again as all the men continued to talk at once.
    “What’s your name, lad?”
    “Who’s your family?”
    “Where are you from?”
    Tony looked at the housekeeper in exasperation.
    “Shut yer clacks!” she shouted.
    The sudden silence was deafening.
    Sylvia rested her hands on her hips, though she hadn’t moved away.
    He took a fortifying breath, inhaling more of her sweet lavender scent. “My name is Tony Sinclair, and I come from a respectable old line but, alas, am the younger son. If we were to perpetrate this hoax, madam, you would become simply Mrs. Sinclair.” He tried to gauge her reaction. She gave him the same look she might to yesterday’s fish.
    He turned back to her watchdogs. “I have no desire to be a smuggler, but I am rather partial to my features in their current arrangement. I would be willing to assist in your endeavors—tonight—if that would assure you that I have no intention of informing the authorities of your activities.” Though he did have every intention of using the opportunity to woo the widow. She was melting toward him. Now she looked more intrigued than affronted.
    Someone moved, his cutlass blade glinting in the candlelight. Had he really just agreed to act as a smuggler? It couldn’t be much more dangerous than climbing about on rooftops with Alistair. Though one couldn’t be hung for doing what Alistair did.
    The men grumbled and mumbled. Galen and Mrs. Spencer beamed. Sylvia furrowed her brow.
    Tony glanced at each of the men. “Do we have an agreement, gentlemen? Tonight we work together, and tomorrow we each go our separate ways. Unmolested.” Well, he’d separate from the men, but he planned to have Sylvia begging him to stay.
    “It’s up to Lady Montgomery.”
    Her brow still furrowed, she sat on the arm of the sofa. The men also seated themselves, rearranging the various chairs and sofas so they could see her and still keep an eye on Tony. She raised her hand to her temple.
    For his part, he would have no trouble whatsoever pretending to be married to the comely young widow. Gentleman’s honor practically demanded it of him, if the housekeeper’s assessment was accurate. It meant he would have to stay close by Sylvia’s side, tuck her dainty hand in the crook of his arm. Look longingly into her green eyes. Smooth a dark blond curl, the color of wet sand. Kiss that delightful rosebud mouth.
    And later, when they were alone, remind her how much physical pleasure was to be had between husband and wife.
    He would have no trouble playing the role of doting husband, with the lovely Sylvia as his wife.
    Sylvia stared at the stranger, her mind racing. An hour ago she’d simply wanted to go have a drink with her men. Half an hour ago her men had wanted to kill the stranger. And now she was supposed to pretend to be married to him?
    He gazed back at her, the smoldering heat in his brown eyes making her feel flushed. She remembered the touch of his bare hand on her throat when he’d tied her bonnet, his fingers hot against her chilled skin.
    Perhaps she should move