Read Online Mallory Rush - [Outlawsand Heroes 02] by Dead or Alive - Free Book Online Page B

foot of the bed as if he were placing sacred objects on an altar.
    That done, he paced some more, the crowd of his thoughts still dogging him.
    "I cannot bear this a moment longer, else I'll go insane," he whispered into the shifting shadows of night.
    Decisively, he made his way down the short hallway until he faced Lori's bedroom. A sliver of light bled beneath the door and onto the floor where he stood, debating.
    Noble swallowed and it tasted of pride. Forcing it down, he knocked softly, twice. He heard the sound of her moving. "Yes? What is it?" she called from behind the door.
    "I... Lori, I wondered if I might beg a moment of your time. As well as your pardon for my ill manners tonight."
    "Ill?" she retorted. "That's putting it mildly."
    "Yes, you're right. I was insufferably rude."
    "Go on."
    "And I was..." Lord, what else did she want? His hat in his hand? His lips to her feet? Probably. Mustering as much remorse as he could, he added, "and I was a cad."
    "A cad, huh?" Was that a quiet chuckle he heard? "You forgot to mention that you were also a rake and a rogue."
    "Yes, yes." He sighed. "If I add viper, villain, and knave most vile to my list of sins, will you see me?"
    The door swung open and his heart quickened at the sight of her, all soft and bed-rumpled and illuminated by a muted light.
    "I accept your apology—on one condition." She gave him a smile that could thaw ice and nearly torched him. "You have to accept mine for being so sharp with you. I'm afraid you hit a nerve and I let my temper get away from me."
    "Rubbish. You said what you thought and what you thought was precisely true. If you don't mind my saying so, I found you stunning in your fury."
    "You did?" She cocked her head, amused.
    "Oh yes, absolutely. A woman has never spoken to me so forthrightly before and I was somewhat amazed by it all. A bit of the reason I deliberately urged you on."
    "Why, you..." The purse of her lips implied he was everything he had admitted and more. "How did you bait me? Just for future reference, of course," she asked, with a hint of curiosity and good-natured humor.
    "Let me see." He tapped his lips and was pleased, highly pleased, when her gaze warmed on the motion. "What I said, about you seeking the call of the theater. It is something of a questionable profession and I did acknowledge your talents in a rather mocking tone. But truthfully, I admired your impassioned speech, the flash of your eyes—even the jab of your finger. I thought you more riveting than any lead actress commanding the stage."
    Lori laughed. "Who knows? Maybe I'll audition for The Taming of the Shrew and get cast as Kate."
    "Ah, Shakespeare, the Bard most supreme. Do they still read his works in this modern age of yours?" Noble asked hopefully.
    "I have a collection in my bookcase you're more than welcome to." She touched his hand and he found a sweet comfort in that small act. "His plays are still alive and well, Noble. How about we see one the next time there's a local production?"
    "That would be wonderful." He kissed her fingertips. "I can't tell you how much this means to me, to know at least a few things remain the same despite the passage of time."
    "Some important things last," she assured him, then added, "and other important things change."
    "Such as?"
    "Actors are held in high esteem these days." He nodded his approval. "And most women have enough self-esteem to speak their minds. I'm not so out of the ordinary that way." The look she gave him was one of reluctant admission.
    "You think that I shall find you less extraordinary than I believe you to be once I meet other women of your time?"
    "I do."
    "This disturbs you," he noted, peculiarly pleased.
    "Of course it does," she blurted out. Then her gaze shied from his and he thought her all the more extraordinary for her honesty despite her embarrassment. "I mean, everyone likes to think of themselves as being special. And the truth simply is, I'm not all that different from most