Read Online Love's Peril (Lord Trent Series) by Cheryl Holt - Free Book Online

enthusiasm could be catching, that she could muster some optimism for the outcome, but she was drowning in the worst sense of foreboding.
    “Hedley, honestly. Calm yourself.”
    “I’ll save us, Mother. I will!”
    “Yes, I’m sure you’ll save us all.”
    “I’ll send Mr. Sinclair packing—with his tail tucked between his legs. Just see if I don’t.”
    “You will, Hedley. You will.”
    She was too weary to be happy, too afraid for the future. She eased away from him, went to her bedchamber, and closed the door.
    * * * *
    “Hello, Mr. Hook.”
    “Hello, Miss Patterson. Or should I say Mrs. Patterson?”
    “Who told you I was married.”
    “A little bird.”
    Caroline frowned.
    She didn’t want the servants chatting about her private business to strangers. When she’d run away from her husband Archibald and slinked to Bramble Bay, Sarah had been very clear with the staff as to the need for secrecy.
    Archibald had already come looking for her twice, and he’d stopped in the tavern in the village to mention he would pay a reward for her return.
    The ass!
    The servants liked Sarah, and Caroline thought they liked her, too. She hoped they’d help to conceal her at Bramble Bay, but the reward was a potent inducement. It unnerved her that people would openly discuss her with an outsider like Mr. Hook.
    If they would talk to him, they would eventually talk to Archie.
    “Should I call you Miss or Mrs. Patterson?”Mr. Hook asked. “Which is it?”
    Caroline wouldn’t admit she was married, because he’d follow up with questions as to why she was hiding.
    “How about if you call me Caroline?”
    “Caroline it is.”
    They were out on the verandah behind the house. The sun had set, the last twilight having flickered out. She’d been up in her room, avoiding Mr. Sinclair and Mildred and Hedley, when she’d noticed Mr. Hook. He’d been by himself, leaned against the balustrade, drinking a brandy and staring out at the ocean as if he wished he was sailing on it.
    He scared her—but in a good and feminine manner. He was dark and dashing and unlike any man she’d ever met. With his black hair and eyes, his black attire and boots, he exuded danger and menace, and he intrigued her in ways he shouldn’t.
    Archie had always insisted she was mad, and she had to wonder if he wasn’t correct. She’d been battered and shamed and abused by him, and she’d kill herself before she’d go back. She was broke and alone and Sarah her only friend.
    Yet she was curious as to what Mr. Hook would look like without his clothes.
    After being wed to Archie, after learning how disgusting a male body could be, after being taught her wifely duty and failing at it so miserably, why would a salacious thought ever cross her mind?
    But Mr. Hook generated that type of rumination. A woman—even one who was as troubled and lost as she was—could start having all sorts of riotous imaginings.
    Mr. Hook was the kind of fellow she’d once dreamed about having as a husband. She’d been a wistful romantic who’d read novels and yearned to have a prince carry her away.
    By the time Mildred had arranged the match with Archie, Caroline had set her sights quite a bit lower. She’d had no dowry or prospects, and Bernard had passed away, so he hadn’t been around to urge caution or select someone more suitable.
    As a lure to entice a spouse, there had just been her blond hair, blue eyes, curvaceous figure, and merry personality. Dull, bumbling Archibald Patterson had been eager to have her.
    He was Mildred’s cousin, and Caroline had been so grateful to Mildred for finding him. But she’d been acquainted with Mildred forever, and she should have remembered to be wary.
    Archie was nice enough when he was sober, but he was a heavy drinker, and alcohol changed him into a maniac. Although the bruises had faded, she still had aching bones that were a memento of what could happen if a girl wasn’t careful.
    So why would she flirt with Mr. Hook?