B006DTZ3FY EBOK Read Free

softly. “Y ou have had a harrowing experience. You should rest for a time and collect yourself. ”
    He led her to the stairs and spread his h andkerchief on one of the steps to protect the fragile silk of her gown. Attempting to lighten the moment, he shot her a sheepish grin. “T he gentlemanly thing, of course, would be to give you my coat. But men ’ s fashions being what they are today, I ’ m unable . ”
    She looked a startled inquiry. His grin widened. “C an ’ t extricate myself without assistance, ” he explained. “T akes two strong men, a shoehorn, a crowbar, and a bucket of grease to get me in and out of this coat. ”
    Her laugh was as clear and sweet as he ’ d hoped it would be. “N ever mind, ” she told him, seating herself gracefully on the handkerchief. “A lthough it’s a pity we can’t cut you loose. I did bring scissors with me this evening, but I ’ m afraid I left them in my reticule. ”
    He caught himself staring again. Her movements were so fluid, she made sitting on the handkerchief-draped stair seem natural and elegant. She was seated almost directly beneath the lamp. Her hair scattered light like an angel ’ s halo, and the silk of her gown seemed poured over her, a gloss of milky white shimmering on her warm skin. A man couldn ’ t help but notice. It was highly distracting, to say the least. He had to clear his throat before he could speak.
    “W here is your reticule? Shall I fetch it for you? ”
    “N o, thank you. ” A shadow crossed her features. “I must have left it behind when we — when I left the box. ”
    Derek was not so lost in admiration that he missed the shiver that ran through her. The very thought of what had happened to her earlier returned the fear to her eyes. This could not stand; he must do something to take her fear away.
    He sat beside her, frowning. “ Cynthia , ” he said quietly, and took her hand in his. “W hat happened tonight? Tell me. ”
    Color flooded her cheeks. She averted her gaze. “I’ m ashamed, ” she whispered. “I t was…he was… horrid. ”
    “Y ou speak of Filey. ” It was not a question. The sc oundrel must have… but he couldn ’ t let his mind finish the sentence. Anger rippled through him. “B last! I should have knocked the rascal down while I had the chance. ”
    Cynthia glanced apprehensively back at him. “Y ou sound angry. ”
    “O f course I am angry! I should have known, the instant I saw you were afraid of him —” Derek ’ s teeth clenched. “W hat did that villain do to you? ” he exclaimed. Then his arm tightened around her. “N ever mind, ” he growled. “I f you tell me, I may have to kill him. ”
    She looked startled. He managed a strained smile. “I’ m joking, ” he explained.
    A tiny smile curved her lips again. She tilted her chin, studying him. “I don ’ t think you are, ” she remarked at last. “N ot entirely. ” Her smile sweetened. “Y ou joke, but there is something of the knight-errant about you. ”
    A short laugh escaped him. “I lack the shining armor, of course. Perhaps I should borrow that suit of paperboard over there before I hunt Filey down. ”
    Her color deepened. She dropped her eyes. “I n truth, you know, he did not do anything so very … that is, he did not… ” Her voice trailed off and she gave a strange, choked laugh. “H e did nothing more than you did. ”
    Surprise and chagrin jarred him, paralyzing him for a moment. He had to bite his tongue to keep from swearing. It was not as bad as it might have been, but still — Filey had kissed her! The swine had dared to kiss her! It mattered not a whit that the man had done nothing more than he himself had done. Had Filey walked into the room at that moment, Derek felt he must have lunged for the dastard ’ s throat.
    Cynthia looked back up at him. She must have seen the mortifying emotions chasing themselves across his face, for she smiled with what seemed a wisdom beyond her years. “Y ou are