Read Online Smuggler's Lair by Virginia Henley - Free Book Online

“Violet-eyed witch. Now I shall have to kill you.” He kissed her instead.
    â€œTake me on a run!”
    His arms tightened. “I would not expose you to danger.”
    â€œIf the danger is so great, why do you do it?”
    â€œDanger excites me.”
    â€œThen we are two of a kind.” Her eyes glittered. “If you won’t take me, I may as well go back to my own time.”
    â€œBlackmail won’t work, sweetheart, but I’m particularly vulnerable to bribery.”
    â€œYou black-eyed devil.” She slid both her hands down between their bodies. “Then bribery it is, milord.” She rolled his hardening cock between her palms.
    * * *
    As they finished breakfast, Falcon asked, “Do you ride?”
    â€œFather taught me to ride when I was a child, but all we have now at the priory is a carriage horse.”
    â€œPandora likes to hunt in Ashdown Forest. If you ride astride, you can come with us. Mr. Burke will find you some britches.”
    Within the hour an excited Tory stood in front of the mirror dressed as a boy. The britches and jacket must have belonged to a young servant, but she didn’t care. She tucked in the shirt, tied her hair back with a ribbon, and shouted up the stairs, “Ready!”
    The leopard paced outside the stable while Falcon saddled two mounts. His own was a black mare with a deep chest and sturdy legs; hers was a dark brown pony. Tory mounted without his help. “I thought you would ride a more showy animal.”
    â€œYou think me vain!” He flashed white teeth. “I don’t deny it, but I put expedience before vanity. Bess has endurance and speed; your pony is sure-footed.”
    The moment they emerged from the stable, Pandora loped off toward the forest. The leopard spotted a hare and disappeared into the trees. Falcon did not follow her; he trotted beneath the thick green canopy for more than a mile until he came to a well-hidden path. “Do you think you could ride through here in the dark, my love?”
    He’s testing me for a smuggling run! “I know I could.”
    He winked at her. “Try to keep up with me.” He took off without warning, taking the twists and turns with practiced ease. Tory gripped the reins and touched her heels to the pony’s flanks. In truth all she had to do was keep her seat and keep her head low; her mount knew the way.
    When she caught up, he asked, “Which way is the castle?”
    She hesitated, unsure.
    â€œThen how would you get to the safety of Bodiam?”
    â€œIf I were lost, I’d give the pony its head.”
    His grin was a leer. “Beauty and brains, a heady combination.”
    Tory heard the distant cry of an animal, quickly cut off. She guessed what it was and went pale. “I don’t enjoy blood sport.”
    â€œMake no mistake, smuggling is a blood sport.”
    â€œMen’s blood I can stomach.”
    â€œSpoken with bravado.”
    Falcon gave a trilling whistle and shortly Pandora joined them. They returned to Bodiam at a leisurely pace and as they climbed the stairs of the tower, he asked, “Did your mount suit you?”
    â€œYes. I wish he were mine.”
    â€œWish granted. Keep those clothes handy if you want to come on the run tonight.”
    â€œTonight?” Her pulse began to race.
    â€œIt has to be at the dark of the moon. Are you game?”
    Tory nodded eagerly.
    â€œGood, I’ll get you a slouch hat. Have a rest this afternoon.”
    * * *
    Everything was different at night. Black shadows loomed everywhere in the darkness, exaggerating the size and distorting the shape of trees and dwellings. As she trotted beside Falcon, she was thankful her pony did not shy. The very air felt eerie and charged with peril. She became aware that, one by one, other riders fell in behind them. She copied Falcon and did not turn to look. I wonder if he has his pistols with him? Of course he does—everyone