The Dark One Read Free Page A

worked out better for her. Rosalind had formed a plan. A plan to ruin her stepbrother’s schemes for her and, she hoped, to find herself banished back to her late father’s country estate, where she longed to return.
    â€œThomas, jump down and find something to do,” Wulf called to the driver upon reaching his carriage.
    Rosalind’s cheeks blazed. What must the driver think? She couldn’t worry about that. Not at this point.
    â€œFor how long, Your Lordship?” the man asked.
    Wulf ran his stormy blue gaze the length of Rosalind and back again. “For a while.”
    Nervous, Rosalind glanced behind them toward the house. Franklin might come looking for her and spoil everything. “Could we drive during, that is, while we . . .” She couldn’t complete the question.
    â€œInteresting,” he said. “Change of plans, Thomas. Take us around a few times; then bring us back when you hear me rap upon the ceiling.”
    Thomas nodded. “Briggs is off sharing a pint with a few of the other footmen. Should I get the door for you, My Lord?”
    â€œNo.” Wulf opened the carriage door and, rather than assist Rosalind up, lifted her in a no-nonsense manner and deposited her inside. He climbed in and slammed the door.
    The moment grew awkward. Rosalind had no idea what to expect. She sensed that Lord Wulf was angry, but angry about what? She’d offered herself to him. Wasn’tthat what all men wanted? To climb beneath a woman’s skirts given the first opportunity?
    According to her stepbrother, that was exactly what men wanted. The carriage lurched forward. Rosalind glanced at the door. They weren’t moving fast enough to cause her serious injury were she to jump.
    â€œYou have made your bed now. You’ll have to lie in it.”
    She looked at him. The interior of the carriage was dark, the lamps unlit, and she couldn’t see his expression. “My offer was sincere. I will see my end of the bargain fulfilled.”
    Lord Wulf sighed. “We are no longer within eyesight of anyone at the Greenleys’. No need to keep up the pretense.”
    Pretense? Had he mistaken her invitation? Rosalind needed him to perform a service and thought he understood the exchange. He’d looked at her as if he was willing enough earlier. Everywhere his eyes had touched she’d burned, not with the heat of embarrassment but with something else. Something her sheltered existence had not prepared her for. Something wicked.
    â€œBut you should learn that not all men are to be toyed with. Me being one of them.”
    So, he didn’t believe the offer she’d made was a serious one? Of course he wouldn’t. Rosalind supposed it was a rare occasion for a lady of good breeding to approach a man and request that he ruin her reputation. Perhaps there was still a chance to rescue herself from the path she’d taken.
    â€œMaybe I should have given the matter more thought,” she admitted. In the darkness, she cut her eyes toward him. “If we return in all haste, our absence might go unnoticed.”
    He laughed, but the response did not sound sincere. “No chance of that happening now. You wanted to create ascandal, Lady Rosalind, and you did. And you used me for whatever gain it is you hope to secure yourself. Although for the life of me, I can’t figure out what that might be. Perhaps you will enlighten me upon the matter?”
    Rosalind couldn’t. It was none of his business really. She’d only given him one task to perform; after that, she need never see him again. But she had approached him with her own gain in mind. The return of her freedom. Escape from her stepbrother and his foul plans for her. Escape from Franklin at any cost.
    Her courage renewed, Rosalind said, “I’m surprised that you’d demand explanations, Lord Wulf. I doubt that another man would.” She felt rather than saw him turn to look at her.