Read Online Never Less Than a Lady by Mary Jo Putney - Free Book Online Page A

I’ll see if there’s a riding habit at the shop.”
    He glanced at the town with narrowed eyes. “With rivers on three sides of Carlisle, there are only a few roads in, which makes it easier if someone is looking for you. Which route do you think is least likely to be observed?”
    Her brows furrowed as she thought about the town’s layout. “If we circle around to the east, there’s a small bridge that leads into the old section of town. The clothing shop is on an alley off that road.”
    “That’s our route then. I’ll leave you at the shop while I visit the liveries.” He pulled a gold signet ring from his right hand. “We’ll be less noticeable if we travel as husband and wife, so here’s my ring. Turned around, it will look like a wedding band.”
    The body warmth in the gold was curiously intimate as she slid it on her ring finger. “We won’t look as if we belong together. You are expensive and beautiful and aristocratic while I am drab and plain and easily overlooked. Women will feel sorry for you and think they would make you a better wife.”
    He stared at her, aghast. She wouldn’t have believed he was capable of blushing. “What an absurd idea. My clothing might be expensive but I’ve traveled and slept in it, your aristocratic blood is superior to mine, and I am certainly not beautiful.”
    “I thought you were beautiful from the first time we met,” she said thoughtfully. “In a bad-tempered sort of way.”
    He was even more beautiful when he laughed.

Chapter 8
    There wasn’t a single damned carriage in Carlisle available for hire that afternoon. At least none that Randall could find. If he was willing to wait until the next morning, he would have his choice, but he had a prickly desire to get Julia out of town as soon as possible. Carlisle was an obvious place for the kidnappers to hunt her.
    Luckily he located two sturdy riding hacks. Randall was not enthralled at the prospect of hours more riding, but he’d manage.
    He returned to the shabby shop where he’d left Julia. Though he watched for men who might be the kidnappers, he saw no one likely. Probably Crockett was still searching the hills near where Julia escaped. But that could not be relied on.
    The shop was small, neat, yet cluttered. Tables were dedicated to garments for men, women, or children. A particularly handsome lady’s outfit hung on the back wall with gown, shawl, and bonnet. But he didn’t see Julia. Surely she hadn’t been fool enough to go out alone!
    A movement caught his eye and he turned to see Julia sewing in a corner. With her head bent and dressed in drab clothing, he’d overlooked her entirely. “Are you finished here, my dear?” he asked, trying to sound like a fond husband.
    “Your timing is good.” She knotted her thread and bit it off. “I just finished basting this hem.” She stood and shook out a dark gray cloak, then draped it around her shoulders. The garment was singularly devoid of style. She picked up a battered carpetbag and called through an open door at the back of the small room, “I’m leaving now, Mrs. Rown. Thank you so much for the tea.”
    “My pleasure, dearie,” a woman called in a strong northern accent. “You have a safe journey now, and thankee for the advice.”
    Randall took the carpetbag and offered Julia his arm. When they were outside on the street, he said, “Did you know the proprietor already?”
    Julia glanced up from under a depressing black bonnet. “No, but she’s increasing and appreciated a few suggestions on how to feel better.”
    He studied her outfit. The colors were dull, the fabric worn, and the fit poor. “Your ensemble makes you as close to invisible as humanly possible. Well done.”
    “I’ve had years of practice in invisibility.” Her fingers tightened on his arm. “I thought I’d hidden so well that the past would never find me. Yet when Crockett appeared—I wasn’t really surprised.”
    “Soon you won’t have to hide any more.