A Spy Unmasked (Entangled Scandalous) Read Free Page A

pounded in an erratic rhythm. She struggled to shut out any awareness of him.
    Think, Sophia!
    She had made a dreadful mistake. She had failed in her plan to secure the evidence needed to arrest Viscount Delmont. She would have been better off walking into the ballroom and shooting the blackguard with her pistol.
    Her position was precarious. She was in the clutches of a dangerous mystery man whose motives were unknown. One thing was certain. He was not searching for a book to read during the ball.
    She reached up to make sure her mask still concealed her face. Her scalp itched from the red wig, but she dared not remove it. Anyone who had seen her at the masque would be hard-pressed to identify her, thanks to the disguise.
    They reached the end of Delmont’s property, and Robert and Ian slowed their mounts to a walk. She had hoped they would end up in Mayfair, where even at this time of night, it would appear improper for a lady to ride astride before a gentleman and she could make a quick escape. But to her dismay, they emerged into a quieter section of the city. The drizzling rain had stopped, and the night air was heavy with the scent of coal smoke. Modest town houses of red brick appeared ahead.
    She turned in the saddle to glimpse at the man’s profile. “Please let’s part ways here.”
    “Not yet, but soon.”
    She thought he was heading for the town houses, but he turned down an alleyway leading back to the mews. The gas lamps that lit the main street illuminated nothing here, and she struggled to see in the dimness. No passersby were present, and her stomach churned with anxiety.
    “Put me down now, or I’ll scream,” she demanded.
    His lips were close to her cheek. “You’re in no position to make demands, my lady. Not a sound or you’ll alert Delmont’s men or the night constables. Either could be close by.”
    She stilled. The truth of his words cut through her haze of panic. If she screamed, she could bring both the guards and the authorities bearing down on them. Neither were viable options. She had to take the risk that the man who called himself Robert would keep his word and release her. He had not harmed her tonight; rather, he had aided her in her escape from certain capture.
    “And what about you?” she said.
    “I don’t plan on answering to either.”
    Who are you? The question asked itself again.
    They entered the mews, and the scent of horses, hay, and dung permeated the space. She was not surprised to find that there were no stable boys to assist them at this time of night.
    Ian dismounted and proceeded to take off the liveried footman’s jacket.
    Robert leaped down, then reached up to grasp her waist and help her to her feet. Bowing gallantly, he flashed a pearly smile, then raised her hand and brushed his lips across her fingers. “I never did learn your name,” he murmured.
    She was momentarily taken aback by his appealing smile and the brush of his lips against her flesh. Her relief that he was letting her go was slow to penetrate her senses. She felt the inexplicable pull of attraction testing her will. He had a coiled power, a captivating presence that hinted at forbidden excitement and temptation—certainly thoughts that a lady should never ponder. Yet, she longed to reach up and remove his mask, to see the whole of his features, how cheekbones, nose, and brow combined with the sensual lips and those piercing blue eyes.
    Her voice was shakier than she would have liked. “My name is of no consequence, sir.”
    “ Ah, even after our adventurous evening?”
    “Especially after this evening.”
    No matter how charming he appeared, he was prying, still attempting to learn her identity. Thank heaven her mask and wig had remained in place during their flight. She doubted they would ever run into each other again. Although she had failed to obtain the documents she wanted from Viscount Delmont’s library, her imminent freedom was what concerned her. She would find another way to