Moon Love Read Free Page A

suggested to Ravencroft that this bolt hole was her own idea. “I fancy one could survive a week, if necessary.”
    “It hardly seems it would be necessary to remain a week, as Bratty Hall is so close.”
    She handed him a key. “All the same, the Cougar would like you to have this.” She added ominously, “Just in case.”
    He pocketed the key with no expression of thanks. “I must see the Cougar,” he said again. “Just a word, I shan’t disturb him.” His sharp eyes observed the nervous quickening of her breath. Why did his insistence bother her inordinately?
    “Papa is not well enough,” she said firmly. “His health is failing. He had a heart attack the day he wrote that note to Sir George.”
    Papa! So she was Lord Ashworth’s daughter! He thought a noble daughter would have turned out in better style. “I am sorry to hear it,” he said perfunctorily. “He asked you to post the note?”
    Her chin lifted, indicating an argumentative mood. “After I read it, I decided it must be posted,” she replied.
    “He shouldn’t have permitted you to read it. These matters are top secret!”
    “Are you suggesting I should have ignored such an important matter?” The effect of looking down her nose was defeated as she had to look up to him. “I read all his mail,” she continued. “As he is unable to write, I actas his secretary. He depends on me to execute his orders. And speaking of following orders – you have removed to the Greenman?”
    “I have not.”
    Amy drew in a long breath to steady her temper. “Please do so, at once. Why didn’t you?”
    Ravencroft crossed his arms and stared down at her from the lofty height of six feet plus two inches. “You appear to misunderstand the matter, ma’am,” he said in a drawling voice. “I am in charge of this affair. As a courtesy, I agreed to consult with Ashworth.As he is hors de combat , however, I shall work alone. Thank you for meeting me and informing me about the Greenman. I shall remove there as soonasa room is available. There was none when I applied an hour ago. It would have helped if you had hired a room for me in advance of my arrival, as that is where Bransom was staying.”
    Amy regretted that she had not thought of this, but she was not about to admit it. Early as it was in their acquaintance, she sensed that capitulation would only goad this toplofty gentleman on to taking over completely. It was regrettable that they had crossed swords so early in their acquaintance, but as they had, she must stand her ground.
    “Much good it would have done hiring a room in Mr. Vincent’s name, when you are calling yourself Mr. Stanford.”
    His eyes narrowed. “How did you know that?”
    That shot had hit home. No need to tell him everyone at the market knew the name he was using at the inn. What was his real name, she wondered. “The Cougar has his ways,” she replied.
    He set his curled beaver on his head and turned toward the door. “I’ll let you know when I find Bransom,” he said over his shoulder.
    Smoldering resentment flared to anger. “You won’t find him without my help,” she called after him.
    He didn’t stop walking, or look back. “I’ll find him.”
    In her frustration, she stamped her foot, and immediately regretted that she had revealed her annoyance. “But I can help!” She immediately regretted that too. It sounded like begging.
    Ravencroft didn’t see how a lady living out of town with an old invalid could be anything but a nuisance. With his hand on the door knob, he stopped and turned around. He saw the irritation on her face, and credited it to being thwarted. “If you know something about this, it is your duty to tell me.”
    “I don’t know for certain, but I have my suspicions.” He waited, staring at her with those dark, impatient eyes that unnerved her. “Bransom was working with the Gentlemen,” she said. “That is what we call the smugglers here on the coast.”
    “Naturally that was to be my