Read Online Tempting Miss Allender (Regency Rakes 3) by Wendy Vella - Free Book Online Page B

She had visited Patience before she left London, and in her distress Patience had told her what had happened.
    “Tell me what I did, Patience.”
    His words made her shiver. He was closer now, and she could feel his large, disturbing presence at her back.
    “N-nothing. You did nothing.”
    “Cousin, you ran from me so quickly, I did not have the chance to tell you I would call on you tomorrow, and take you and Lucy driving in the park.”
    Patience took a step backward as Brantley Winston appeared before her.
    “I have no wish to go driving with you,” she said, trying to marshal her thoughts after her conversation with Mathew. “Lucy is already engaged tomorrow, so I fear we must both decline your offer, Cousin.”
    He gave her a gentle smile of regret that would fool everyone but Patience. “Then I shall call the next day.”
    As he moved closer, she took another step backward. He had never touched her, but she knew the threat he possessed. Even here in a crowded ballroom he was not someone to trust.
    “Mr. Winston.”
    Patience felt the pressure of Mathew’s hand on her back, and irritation flashed briefly across her cousin’s face as he stepped to her side.
    “Lord Belmont, pleasure,” he said as he bowed deeply.
    “Winston.” Mathew did the same. However, his bow was insultingly brief and his hand remained steady on her spine.
    His body was close enough that when she lowered her arm, it brushed his side, but she did not move away. It would do her cousin good to see her with this man. He knew they were old friends, even if she would never do anything to draw Mathew into this mess. Brantley Winston was a dangerous man, and she had no wish for him to turn his sights on anyone else.
    She added nothing to the conversation now taking place between Lord Belmont and her cousin and looked for Lucy as she heard the music finish. Her sister was soon making her way back toward her after saying goodbye to Mr. Stanhope.
    “Lucy.” Brantley made a move to kiss her cheek as she reached Patience, but she sidestepped him and sank into a curtsey, her smile false as she rose.
    “Patience has told me you are engaged tomorrow, but perhaps I can call and take tea with you all another day?”
    “I have a headache, Sister. Would you mind if we left now?” Lucy said the words quickly, ignoring Brantley.
    “Of course. Come, we shall collect our things at once,” Patience said.
    “I shall escort you.”
    The words came from Lord Belmont before Brantley could offer his own.
    “Thank you.” Patience took his arm, more than happy to get away from her cousin. He escorted them outside and stood waiting until their carriage drew up before them.
    “Thank you, my lord.” Patience had no choice but to take his hand and let him assist her into the carriage. Her palm tingled underneath her gloves after he’d released her.
    “Good evening, ladies.”
    She knew he was watching them roll away, because the back of her neck was tingling.
    “I don’t suppose I could convince you to return to the country tomorrow?” Patience looked across the carriage to Lucy, who was staring out the window at the London streets.
    “No.”
    Settling back into her seat after that brief word, she realized that her sister was still angry. She had no energy to deal with that now, so she closed her eyes and worked through how secure they were in the house, and whether she should employ another footman, now that she knew for certain her cousin was in London and Charlie’s life was once again in danger.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    “It’s called a cowkeeper’s shop, Charlie,” Patience said as he leaned over her to look out the carriage window.
    “Can we go inside?”
    “I thought you disliked cows. Nasty, smelly creatures, I believe you have called them on more than one occasion,” Patience teased her brother.
    “I do, but that looks intriguing, don’t you think? Cows kept in a building, right here in London.”
    “And the warm cup of milk you may get