Read Online What A Scoundrel Wants by Carrie Lofty - Free Book Online

apologize.”
    “There is no need for an apology,” she said. “You left me at the castle under the protection of our liege. How could we know his protection would not be sufficient, or that the sheriff could be so bold?”
    “Why do you believe the sheriff was to blame?”
    She suppressed the urge to rub the tingling skin at the nape of her neck. “The man who rescued me worked for the sheriff. I believe he underwent a change of heart once the fighting began. He said that the leader, Carlisle, is Finch’s closest associate.”
    “Who was the man? Do you know?”
    “Have you heard of Will Scarlet?”
    “Will Scarlet?” Jacob laughed, a quick and merry sound. “Of course.”
    While she hoped for details, she had not expected immediate recognition. “Who is he?”
    “He is nephew to Robin of Loxley. Robin Hood.”
    “ The Robin Hood?”
    “Yes. Son of Loxley’s elder sister.”
    Scarlet’s behavior seemed like that of two different people—careless and selfish, reasoned and chivalrous. This new information did little to unravel his mysteries. Given the least opportunity, most men would have boasted of a connection to Robin Hood. But not Scarlet. He fought his conscience like a demon come to claim his soul and made no mention of the famous outlaw.
    Puzzles she thought herself capable of solving flew apart.
    “They fought with King Richard against John’s uprising five years ago,” Jacob said. “Do you remember?”
    “Five years ago? No.”
    “Ah, your illness. Forgive me.” He cleared his throat, sounding embarrassed. “But Scarlet was working for the sheriff? That seems odd, considering his past. Did he offer an explanation?”
    “No, nor did I ask.”
    “And yet you are here by yourself.”
    Ahead in the forest, bounding through the fallen leaves, Asem provided a few moments of distraction. Meg was gratified by her body’s response. Her pulse did not accelerate. Her stomach did not constrict. Only her hands proved wayward, tightening, relishing the memory of Scarlet’s flesh beneath her fingers.
    “We parted ways,” she said, appreciating her flat tone.
    “You must have disliked him a great deal to favor this over his company.”
    “He was the man who arrested Ada.” Repeating the truth aloud banished the new, raw memories of pleasure.
    “Because of the emeralds, as we feared?”
    “Yes. And now I simply want to go home.”
    Jacob stopped short, his body rigid. “What about Ada?”
    “What about her?”
    “You cannot leave her in prison!”
    “I can.” Cold anger stiffened her jaw, honing each word into a sharp lance. “She’ll be tried and fined, nothing more. Pursuing her was a mistake from the start.”
    He firmly unlinked their arms. “This isn’t right, Meg.”
    “You love her; you go find her!” Hostility simmered under her skin, even though Jacob was not her enemy of choice. But his pining loyalty to Ada never failed to stoke her temper. He stubbornly failed to see her sister for what she was. “You know why I cannot trust her, and she holds no affection for me.”
    “That’s not true.”
    “Enough, please. Will you lead me home or not?”
    Jacob’s decision remained unvoiced as wild shouts echoed from a nearby clearing. He called to Asem before fleeing in pursuit, footsteps and excited voices and dog barks creating an unnatural cacophony in the deep woods.
    “Jacob, wait!”
    Alone again, Meg permitted fatigue to slump her shoulders. She gripped her walking stick and dipped her forehead to the ground.
    Minutes passed and she forced her unruly body to straighten. She shook free of weakness like shrugging a wet blanket from her back. Despite her disorientation that morning, she knew Charnwood Forest, especially near to landmarks such as Jacob’s cabin.
    But better than the trees and swamps, she knew the unpredictable woodsmen who lived within its sheltering branches. No matter the giant mastiff ready to do his bidding, Jacob, a lone Jew, stood little chance against