Read Online Seductive Wager by Leigh Greenwood - Free Book Online
Authors: Leigh Greenwood
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murderess.” She sat bolt upright. “I’m better now, and I assure you I won’t embarrass you again, but I would greatly appreciate it if you would not speak to me until we reach the inn.”
Brett nearly lost his temper. Who did she think she was, this little nobody from the backwoods, to talk to him like he was a lackey?
“Rest easy,” he said. “I am equally anxious to be spared the necessity of conversing with a virago who responds to courteous concern with ear-splitting wails. You know, you don’t do much to raise a man’s spirits. The sight of you tempts my senses almost beyond bearing, but your unreasonable temper slays all feeling of pleasure.”
“It’s a little hard to be grateful for a ringing blow across the face. Maybe with a little practice I can learn to smile and say thank you.”
“I didn’t slap you out of anger. I just didn’t happen to have a pitcher of water handy.”
“You must forgive me if I failed to distinguish between a slap given in anger and one meted out for my own good,” she said scornfully. “There must be something in the nuance I missed.”
“I promise to keep my hands off you for the remainder of the journey,” Brett said, his response coming from between clenched teeth.
“I wish you would hurry up and find a place for us to stay,” Kate replied, recovering as best she could from the harshness of his words. “I’ve been in this coach since seven o’clock this morning, and I’m tired and sore all over. I’m also hungry and I want to go to bed.”
“We’re going to stop in less than an hour. It’s only a small inn, but you’ll be well cared for. I’ll see that your dinner is served in your room, but you’re going to have to overcome your dislike of me sufficiently by tomorrow to discuss your future. I’m due in Paris in two days, and I have very little time to devote to resolution of your situation.” He turned from her and stared into the gathering blackness outside.
Kate sat quietly in a chastened calm. She had had time to allay her fears and realize Brett had only been trying to help. In return, she had acted like a frenzied cat, clawing and biting. She swallowed her ire and made herself speak as calmly as she could. “I apologize for my rude outburst and spiteful remarks, but this whole thing has shaken me rather badly. I appreciate your concern, and I am indeed grateful for what you’re doing on my behalf.”
“I don’t want your thanks,” Brett growled, obviously not mollified.
“Well I am grateful, even if you are the rudest man on earth,” she said with a spurt of temper. “I don’t see why you should take pride in being so unfeeling, even if you are ten times as rich as anyone else in England.”
“And you, my beautiful shrew, should have a care what you say before you become known as the most sharp-tongued female in all the kingdom.”
For a moment, two pairs of blazing eyes locked and the space between them threatened to become incandescent. Kate was the first to lower her eyes and break the spell. She folded her hands in her lap and looked down. Neither spoke again for the remainder of the afternoon.
It was immediately apparent upon reaching Little-dean that something out of the ordinary was happening. Fashionably dressed men strolled through the streets or stood in idle groups, while inns and taverns did a thriving business. Brett cursed when he recognized a dozen men before they had gone halfway through the village. How was he to keep Kate’s presence a secret with so many of his acquaintances gathered in this out-of-the-way spot? Then he remembered the fight at a nearby farm and damned himself roundly for not stopping earlier. There probably wouldn’t be a room at the Cock-in-the-Cradle, or anywhere else, for miles around, but it was too late to try to reach the post road. They pulled into the courtyard and his coachman gave a shout for the ulsters.
“Stay here and keep the blinds closed,” Brett told Kate as he
Brett nearly lost his temper. Who did she think she was, this little nobody from the backwoods, to talk to him like he was a lackey?
“Rest easy,” he said. “I am equally anxious to be spared the necessity of conversing with a virago who responds to courteous concern with ear-splitting wails. You know, you don’t do much to raise a man’s spirits. The sight of you tempts my senses almost beyond bearing, but your unreasonable temper slays all feeling of pleasure.”
“It’s a little hard to be grateful for a ringing blow across the face. Maybe with a little practice I can learn to smile and say thank you.”
“I didn’t slap you out of anger. I just didn’t happen to have a pitcher of water handy.”
“You must forgive me if I failed to distinguish between a slap given in anger and one meted out for my own good,” she said scornfully. “There must be something in the nuance I missed.”
“I promise to keep my hands off you for the remainder of the journey,” Brett said, his response coming from between clenched teeth.
“I wish you would hurry up and find a place for us to stay,” Kate replied, recovering as best she could from the harshness of his words. “I’ve been in this coach since seven o’clock this morning, and I’m tired and sore all over. I’m also hungry and I want to go to bed.”
“We’re going to stop in less than an hour. It’s only a small inn, but you’ll be well cared for. I’ll see that your dinner is served in your room, but you’re going to have to overcome your dislike of me sufficiently by tomorrow to discuss your future. I’m due in Paris in two days, and I have very little time to devote to resolution of your situation.” He turned from her and stared into the gathering blackness outside.
Kate sat quietly in a chastened calm. She had had time to allay her fears and realize Brett had only been trying to help. In return, she had acted like a frenzied cat, clawing and biting. She swallowed her ire and made herself speak as calmly as she could. “I apologize for my rude outburst and spiteful remarks, but this whole thing has shaken me rather badly. I appreciate your concern, and I am indeed grateful for what you’re doing on my behalf.”
“I don’t want your thanks,” Brett growled, obviously not mollified.
“Well I am grateful, even if you are the rudest man on earth,” she said with a spurt of temper. “I don’t see why you should take pride in being so unfeeling, even if you are ten times as rich as anyone else in England.”
“And you, my beautiful shrew, should have a care what you say before you become known as the most sharp-tongued female in all the kingdom.”
For a moment, two pairs of blazing eyes locked and the space between them threatened to become incandescent. Kate was the first to lower her eyes and break the spell. She folded her hands in her lap and looked down. Neither spoke again for the remainder of the afternoon.
It was immediately apparent upon reaching Little-dean that something out of the ordinary was happening. Fashionably dressed men strolled through the streets or stood in idle groups, while inns and taverns did a thriving business. Brett cursed when he recognized a dozen men before they had gone halfway through the village. How was he to keep Kate’s presence a secret with so many of his acquaintances gathered in this out-of-the-way spot? Then he remembered the fight at a nearby farm and damned himself roundly for not stopping earlier. There probably wouldn’t be a room at the Cock-in-the-Cradle, or anywhere else, for miles around, but it was too late to try to reach the post road. They pulled into the courtyard and his coachman gave a shout for the ulsters.
“Stay here and keep the blinds closed,” Brett told Kate as he
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