Naughty in Nottinghamshire 02 - The Rogue Returns Read Free Page A

But no part of him wanted to stay at Giltbrook Hall. He’d collected Zeus from Mazie’s stables and been on his way again as quickly as possible.
    “What claim do you make on the coin?” James’s sister demanded.
    He appreciated that she no longer dithered or denied the issue at hand. Here was a woman who knew how to argue. “James and I were at the Royal Ascot together the summer of 1821. We both placed bets on the same horse. In fact, I was the one who picked the winner. Your brother was three sheets to the wind that night. He could barely ride his horse. I’m certain he could not locate the gold.” Roane spread his arms open. “Thus, your searching. You’ve had a time of it, by the looks of things.”
    “You know where the gold is?”
    “Of course. I am the one who buried it.”
    “Wonderful. Where is it?”
    He clicked his tongue and looked around the clearing. He thought he remembered where it was. He hadn’t exactly been sober himself. “You expect me to just tell you? Without so much as a please or thank you ?”
    She stared at him with her cunning blue eyes. He could see her mind working, trying to figure out how to get rid of him. He knew that look, had been on the receiving end of it many times in his life.
    He smiled wide. “You should be heading back to the village, or wherever it is you are staying. It will be dark soon and I anticipate more rain.”
    Her gaze darted up to the thick clouds overhead, then back to him. “And leave you here alone? Hardly.”
    Her voice was shaking now. Beneath the bravado, she must know what a dangerous situation she was in. “I promise I’ll only take my half of the gold. I will happily give you James’s portion. Have you a room in Cromford? Go take a bath. You will feel better—”
    “Yes, I have a room in Cromford, but I am not leaving the gold.” Her breaths were coming faster again. Little pants of air that betrayed her fear. She must be desperate for the money, to risk her safety.
    Roane leaned in, close enough that he could smell her. Rose water and wet earth. “If you want to spend the night with me, buttercup, you need just ask. No reason to argue about it. I always welcome a warm bed partner.”
    She jerked back. “You are a rogue.”
    “Of the worst sort.” He winked.
    “Well, you’ll not scare me off. I’ve dealt with worse knaves than you.” She threw her shoulders back. He could see the effort it took to cast off her fear. “Show me where the gold is.”
    His cheeks ached with the force of his smile. How had James never mentioned this interfering, annoying little sister of his? “If you do not go to town now, it will be too dark. You’ll have to sleep here. With me.”
    “Very well. I am sure I can manage one night in the forest.”
    She didn’t know what she was getting into, obviously. The woman looked as prepared to sleep in the out-of-doors as he was prepared to meet the Queen. “Where is your bedroll?”
    She bit her lip.
    “Your supplies?”
    She hadn’t any, he knew.
    “Your pistol?”
    She lifted her chin. “A lady has no need of a pistol.”
    “A lady…” He shook his head. Was she daft? “A lady does not greet strangers half dressed and wet . Neither does she sleep in the forest. Have you goddamn lost your mind? What if I had been some criminal?”
    She opened her mouth. Closed it.
    He did not bend. If she knew the truth about him, she would wish she had that pistol. “You are not safe here. You are not safe with me.”
    Her lips twisted and he thought for a moment she might weep. But, she fisted her hands at her sides and jammed her spine straight. “And who shall keep me safe in Cromford? The servants who abandoned me for fear they’d never be paid? Or shall I return to London, and the ruffians stalking my front door? Oh no,” she held up her hand, “of course, my brother Harry shall keep me safe. Harry, who looks for every answer in a bottle. Indeed, it has been some time since I have been safe . I think I