Candice Hern Read Free Page A

episode to remain a secret, I have promised not to speak of it, and I will not. In fact, for you, my dear Mrs. Marlowe, I shall go a step further, just to prove what a ... er ... gentleman I can be. If gossip about tonight does arise somehow, I promise to put a halt to it by stating emphatically that the girl was never here. I trust that will eliminate any apprehension on your part."
    Grace was a bit taken aback by this unexpected pledge. She was not entirely prepared to trust him, but for now would have to take him at his word. "Thank you, Lord Rochdale."
    He reached out and touched her forehead, just above the bridge of her nose, causing her to flinch. "Do not look so puzzled, my dear. It creases your lovely brow, which is much too fine a thing to mar."
    She took another step backward, instinctively shrinking from his touch and the unwelcome tingle on her skin it left behind.
    He grinned at her retreat. "I am not a complete ogre, you know. Not all of the time, anyway. I actually have a scruple or two. At least, I think I must have one somewhere, otherwise tonight would have turned out quite differently."
    "I am glad to hear it, my lord," she said in a clear voice that betrayed nothing of how unsettling his touch had been. "In fact, I shall call upon those scruples right now, if I may. I should like to request the use of your carriage to take me back to town."
    His dark brows lifted in mock surprise. "What? So soon? When we're alone at last? Surely you are not in that big a hurry. Do come back inside, Mrs. Marlowe, and relax for a while. You must allow me to offer you a brandy, or sherry, if you prefer, to calm your nerves after such a trying evening. I could have a cold supper prepared, if you like. A cozy table by the fire, just the two of us."
    She regarded him with a practiced arrogance that generally discouraged unwelcome attentions. Not that she expected it would work on Rochdale. "No, thank you, my lord." She kept her tone excruciatingly polite, even though she knew that what he was suggesting was anything but polite. He was deliberately trying to provoke her outrage, which seemed to amuse him, but she would not give him the satisfaction. "All I require is your carriage. At once, if you please."
    "Well, as it happens, I do not please. I was hoping to stretch out in front of the fire for a while with a beefsteak on my eye, a brandy in my hand, and you by my side to keep me amused." He heaved a sigh. "But as I can see you are determined to be off, I shall sacrifice the beefsteak and bring a flask along with me. Happily, I shall still have you by my side to amuse me."
    Grace's famous reserve almost slipped. "I ... I beg your pardon? I did not mean that you should —"
    "My dear Mrs. Marlowe, surely you do not believe I would allow you to travel all the way to London alone? So late at night?" He shook his head and tried to appear serious, though his eyes twinkled wickedly. "I would never forgive myself if some harm came to you on the road. I shall certainly accompany you."
    "That will not be necessary, my lord, I assure you."
    "Of course it is."
    Grace's head began to buzz with unsettling visions of two hours with this beastly man in the close confines of a carriage. It was not to be borne. "I do not wish to be rude, Lord Rochdale, but I would prefer to travel alone."
    "I am quite sure you would. But that is not how it will be. I must return to town myself in any case, so it will be more convenient for us to travel together."
    "Please, my lord, I —"
    "If you wish to return to London, Mrs. Marlowe, it will be with me beside you. Now, come inside and make yourself comfortable while I instruct the coachman to prepare the carriage. I daresay there will be time for a glass of sherry while you wait."
    Grace Marlowe, who seldom allowed spirits to pass her lips, hoped the glass would be a very large one.
     
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    It was almost too good to be true.
    Rochdale had been doing his subtle best to get under her skin for quite