Read Online The Lion's Daughter by Loretta Chase - Free Book Online

both with rifle and blade. I can take care of
myself — and
both of you as well. You will find there's no need to treat me
differently, just because I'm a female.”
    Varian
must have looked exceedingly doubtful — how
could he not, gazing at this elfin creature with her great green
eyes? — because
she raised her chin and stiffened her posture. “I am not a weak
and nervous female, to make a great fuss about a small mistake. I
shall forget the insult to my person and take you to Tepelena — if
you will forget my small offense in deceiving you.”
    “That's
very ... generous
of you,” Varian said, “but —”
    “There's
nothing to fear,” she interrupted impatiently. “I am a
fighter, with the scars to prove it. There,” she said, pointing
to her arm. “And there.” She slapped her thigh. “But
the men who shot me are dead. 'Little warrior' my people call me. You
can ask in Rrogozhina — anywhere — and
they'll tell you.”
    “Shot?”
Varian repeated. A chill trickled down his neck.
    “Oh,
yes.” She pushed up her sleeve to show the scar. Her slim arm
was smooth and delicate, much whiter than her strong, sun-bronzed
hands.
    “Don't,”
he said sharply. “I believe you.” Lord, what sort of
swine would put a bullet into that fragile wisp of a body? He felt
ill.
    “Does
your head trouble you, efendi? ” she asked, concerned. “Your
face has gone white. Perhaps you should lie down.”
    Dizzy
with the effort to make sense of her, of everything, Varian lay down
willingly. No use trying to reason with her tonight. Her mind was
disordered by distress. Even her solici-tousness bordered on panic.
    Still,
it was touching the way the girl tucked him in, as though he were a
feeble child. She must have decided he was about as dangerous as one,
too, for she resumed her place beside him and ordered Petro to move
to the other side, that his lordship might share their warmth.
    She
continued solicitous the following morning until, seeing her packing
to travel, Varian gently pointed out that they weren't going
anywhere.
    Her
face hardened to stone. “Because you do not trust a female to
guide you?”
    “A
young girl,” he corrected. “It's not you I mistrust,
but—”
    She
didn't wait to hear more, simply took up her bags and marched from
the hut. Despite Petro's shrieks of panic, Varian was tempted to let
her go. The alternative, he was certain, was to tie her down.
    The
trouble was, letting her go off alone was tantamount to murder — after
she and her friends had saved his life. Plague take her. Varian
gritted his teeth and stormed out after her.
    Chapter 4

    ALPS
MOUTH WOULD PROBABLY WATER WHEN he saw this one, Esme reflected as they neared
Rrogozhina two days later. Though the Vizier's court boasted some of
the most beautiful youths in the Ottoman Empire, the English lord
would make them look like trolls. Tall and well-formed, he carried
himself with all the arrogant assurance of a sultan, even while they
trudged through slimy marshland, the torrents beating relentlessly at
them. His insolence was bound to win respect, for in these realms the
meek inherited only abuse. His looks, furthermore, would surely make
more than one courtier weep.
    His
skin was as fair and smooth as a pampered concubine's, yet his beauty
was purely masculine — an
irresistible combination to many men. But they'd yearn in vain.
    The
English lord, Petro had told her, was addicted to women. Though the
man's licentiousness was common knowledge, the Italian women had
flocked to him like flies to manure. Of course, the gossiping Petro
had boasted, the lord selected only the most beautiful and
sophisticated of those who so shamelessly offered themselves to him.
    The
dragoman had shared this information while his master slept. If Esme
meant to travel with them, she must help keep an eye on the master,
Petro warned, lest he make advances to virtuous Albanian women and
get them all embroiled in a blood feud.
    “He'll
hardly find the other