Read Online Regency 02 - Betrayal by Jaimey Grant - Free Book Online Page B

impertinent for her to do so. Bri had never let such things
stop her before. Those very reasons had often spurred her on to
somewhat reckless acts, as a matter of fact.
    But now she found herself facing an actress
from Drury Lane, someone undeserving of a countess’s notice let
alone her friendship for the simple reason that she had chosen
acting as her means of survival. However, Bri couldn’t get around
the feeling that it would be beyond rude to ask Raven what she
wanted to know.
    And why did she even care? It wasn’t as if
she was interested in Adam herself. The man was infuriating and
rude and stubborn and hardheaded and cynical and…and…
    Bri realized she had just described
herself.
    This realization stilled her hands ensuring
the coverlet’s survival. Were they really so much alike? It wasn’t
possible. If she were like him…the thought did not deserve the
attention she was giving it. And neither did he.
    “It might relieve your mind if you just ask
me whatever it is you want to know.”
    Looking up, Bri encountered amused black
eyes. She smiled slightly and looked away. Raven continued to look
at her expectantly.
    “Do you love him?” Bri blurted out before the
thought had even formed in her head.
    Raven’s perfectly arched brows quirked
upward. “I assume you are referring to Adam,” she replied in her
slightly husky voice. Her gaze turned enigmatic, mysterious, as if
she knew a secret of great import and she was debating whether or
not to share. “I also assume you have a good reason for asking, so
I will tell you. In a way, of course I do. He is a very dear friend
after all and has played a big part in my survival.” She smiled.
“No, I am not in love with him.”
    Bri released the breath she hadn’t been aware
she was even holding. “I am completely disgusted with myself,” she
said heatedly. “And Adam. I am beyond well, yet here I sit, in bed,
as if I am still ill. Why can’t I walk about? I would like to go
outside. I would like to feel less like an invalid and more like a
human being.”
    Miss Emerson chuckled. “That explains your
disgust for Adam. What about you?”
    Bri flushed, embarrassed for the first time
for her impertinence. “I had no business asking you such a personal
question, especially considering your relationship with Adam, and I
am severely disappointed in myself for succumbing to
temptation.”
    “I see.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be. I don’t mind. But I wouldn’t go
asking Adam the same question,” she warned lightly. “He may lie or
stretch the truth a bit just to try to set you off. You know how he
is.”
    Adam entered the room at that moment and both
women wondered how much he had heard, if anything. His look gave
nothing away since it was a well-bred blank and his eyes were
shuttered.
    “Good afternoon, ladies,” he said with a
slightly mocking bow that indicated his belief that there were no
such creatures present in that particular room. “I trust I find you
both well.”
    “Yes. Why the devil am I still confined to
this bloody bed?”
    One black brow rose imperiously. Adam stared
at Bri until she flushed with embarrassment for the second time
that day. She cursed him in her head and corrected, “I am well,
thank you, Mr. Prestwich. I hope you are well?” Her tone implied
she wished no such thing. “Will I be able to leave my bed
soon?”
    Adam let his amusement show. His lips quirked
upward and he crossed his arms over his chest. “Why haven’t you
defied me?” he asked in a most conversational tone.
    Bri was determined not to let him goad her.
She smiled brilliantly. “I would never do anything so vulgar as
defy my temporary guardian,” she replied with a sweetness that was
truly awful to behold. “Why, what would he think of me were I to do
such a hoydenish thing?”
    “He would probably think you were actually
better,” Prestwich retorted dryly. “How can I be sure you are
strong enough to go home if you are still not acting