Read Online Lori Brighton - [The Seduction 02] by To Capture a Rake - Free Book Online Page B

stopped her. Something was off. Aye, he noticed everything about the woman, including the way her gaze darted from shadowy corner to shadowy corner. The way she flinched at the slightest sound. She was afraid.
    They made it to the hall, the serving wench far enough ahead that she wouldn’t overhear. “Are we safe here?”
    She shrugged and glanced nervously toward the top of the steps where the wench had disappeared. “As safe as anywhere, I suppose.”
    Was she intentionally being a dunce? “Will your mother-in-law come after us here?”
    “No. She’s a coward when it comes down to it. Most likely Mr. Frond and Sam have disappeared for good. It will be some time before she realizes I survived.”
    She hiked up her wet skirts and rushed up the steps, following after the serving wench and not bothering to explain further. Perhaps she figured he didn’t care, or maybe she thought he didn’t deserve a complete response. Or maybe—most likely—she was hiding something. Gideon frowned, catching up to her at the top of the steps. The serving wench was waiting impatiently at the end of the hall.
    Gideon leaned close to Mrs. Ashton, his lips brushing her ear. “And do you plan to explain why your mother-in-law would want you dead?”
    She sighed. “She wants my inheritance, of course.”
    Gideon paused in midstride, struck by the realization that this woman must be an heiress. But how much money, exactly, did she have? If her mother-in-law would go to the extreme of having her hunted down and murdered, she must have inherited quite the treasure. Despite his resolve to keep his distance, he found himself pressing his hand to the small of her back. He had a feelingthat this innocent-looking milkmaid just might be his ticket to America.
    “Here it is.” The serving wench shoved open the last door on the right. She curtsied, showing some respect now that she had a few coins in hand. But she didn’t wait for their response, disappearing down the hall, unconcerned with the state of the room.
    “Will it do?” he asked, watching Mrs. Ashton with some amusement as she stepped hesitantly through the doorway.
    The room was sparse and left much to be desired, but rather typical for an inn. A large four-poster bed took up most of the area. Against the far wall was a brick fireplace with a cold hearth. It was far from luxurious, although it seemed clean enough. Better than the stables. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the doorjamb, waiting for the complaints he knew would come.
    Elizabeth dropped her reticule to the bed. “It’s dry and warm, it will do.”
    He frowned, annoyed at being surprised by her once more. Before he could question her sunny disposition, a lad appeared caring a hip tub. He settled the bath in the middle of the floor, then scurried toward the hearth, starting a fire, but Gideon was barely aware of the boy. No, he only had interest in the woman who was humming softly as she went to the window and pulled the faded curtains closed. As if she was merely settling in for the night, she found the bed and smoothed down the faded blanket, then fluffed the pillows.
    His chest felt tight at the picture she made. Aye, he could imagine a man coming home to a wife like her. She’d be attentive, he knew that from the day he’d spent with her. She’d ring for tea; help him take off his boots. Perhaps even rub his shoulders. Repulsive idea.
    He shoved the image aside. What the hell was wrong with him? There was no place for marriage in his life. He spread his fingers wide, stretching the numbness from the skin, and focusedon the task at hand. He needed either to bed the woman or leave her altogether. Merely a client, indeed. He shot her a glance, taking in that pale, innocent face. Those wide, guileless eyes. If he left now, the woman would be completely on her own. Why did he care what happened to her? Damn it all, he apparently still had a bit of conscience because he just couldn’t bring himself