WHENAROGUELOVESAWOMAN

ROGUESOFREDMEREBOOKTWO

SAMANTHAHOLT

Contents

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

Epilogue
OthertitlesbySamanthaHolt
Author’sNote

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybeusedorreproducedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermissionexceptinthecase
ofbriefquotationsembodiedincriticalarticlesandreviews.

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiouslyandarenot
tobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,locales,organisations,orpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.

CoverArtby

www.promoforauthors.com

EditedbyCat’sEyeEditing

ProofedbyDestiniReece

ChapterOne

“Howdareyou?”

LordNathanielKingsleydidnotbotherturningtofacePatience.Hesawfromthecornerofoneeye

the clenched fists pressed to hips while she glared at him. He thrust a fork into the hay and dropped it
fromonepiletoanother.Ahissofbreathescapedher.Somehow,hekepthislipscompressed.

“Well?”shedemanded.
Hegaveherasidewayslook,proddedthehayoncemoreandslowlysettheforkagainstthewallof

thestable.Thepungentscentofmanuremingledwiththefresherandmorepleasantfragranceoffreshhay.
ThesheepthathadbeentuckedcomfortablyinthestallseemedtotakeaninterestonceNateturnedand
nudgedagainstthemetalgateholdingherinplace.Naterolledhiseyesandopenedthegatetoallowthe
sheeptotrotoutandstandbyhisside.Thecreaturenudgedhimthenstoodfaithfullyathisfeetlikealoyal
dogawaitingherowner’scommand.

Patiencepeeredatthisspectacle,onebrowraised.
“WhatcanIdoforyou,Patience?”Nateasked.
Hebrushedhishandsdownhisbreeches.Withabreakintheweather,hehadtakentheopportunityto

ensure the sheep’s lodgings were clean. The stable hands would do it normally but the sheep liked his
companyand,well,hehadtoadmitthedamnedsheepwasgrowingonhim.

Thesheepgavehimanotherlittlenudge.
“Whatisitdoing?”Patienceblurted.
“Shejustwantsattention.Ignoreher.”
“But...butshe’sjuststandingthere,like...likeapet.”
Hegavealopsidedgrin.“Well,sheis.Sortof.”Thesheephadadoptedhimononeoftheirlate-night

trips to bring in the goods their smuggling ring had shipped from France. It had taken a strange sort of
likingtohimandinsistedonfollowinghimeverywhere.Onlyinthepastfewdayshadhepersuadedthe
thingthatcomingintothemanorhousewasnotatallacceptable.

“Youhaveapetsheep?”Shepeeredathimasthoughhehadgrowntwoheads.
Heshrugged.“Isupposeso.”Hebeganrollingdownhissleeves.
Patienceglancedathisbarearms.Ahintofcolorroseonhercheeks.Hetriednottogrin.
Thepetitewomanwashardlythesorthecaredtomakeblushbutseeingasshewasonthewarpath,he

suspectedkeepingheronedgewouldnothurt.

Nate stared at her expectantly, arms folded. “I would urge you to make haste with your criticisms,

Patience. I’m a busy man.” He kept his lopsided grin in place as her fierce gaze raked his ruffled
appearance.“Youwereabouttogetangrywithme,Ibelieve.”

Sheliftedherchin.Thesheepgavehimanothernudge.Sheglancedatthepatientcreature.“Doesit

haveaname?”

“Notyet.”
Noonecouldquiteagreeonwhatapetsheepshouldbecalled.SomeonehadsuggestedLamb Chop

which was not at all acceptable whilst others had wanted to call it something cute and fluffy. Nothing
seemedquiteappropriate.

Patienceinhaledalong,audiblebreath.Patience,itseemed,didnotliveuptohername.Itonlymade

thisallthemoreamusing,andwhatelsedidheliveforinlifebuttobeamused?

He saw her throat bob and she folded her arms over her chest—a chest that was quite ample for a

petite woman. There was not much to be admired about Patience. She was small, but not in that sweet
waythatmadeamanwanttobundleherupandprotecther.Hershoulderswerewideandherarmsfilled
outtheshirtsheworequiteamply.Shewas,hesupposed,whatonewoulddescribeasrobust.Ofcourse,
thebreechessheworedidnothelptomakeherlookanymorefeminine.

“Youshouldnothavetoldyourbrotherwewereengaged.”
Hekepthisexpressionplacidandforcedhisgazeawayfromherbreasts.“Butweare.”
“Wecertainlyarenot.”
“Wewillbemanandwifewithinthenextfewdays.Youmightaswellacceptit.”
She thrust up her chin and he took the opportunity to inch closer. Her countenance hardly wavered.

Normally,he’dexpectalittletremor.Notoffear,ofcourse,butofsomethingelse.Womenoftentrembled
in his presence. Then they usually drew in a breath and color seeped across their chests and into their
cheeks.Sincetheageoffiveandten,thathadbeenhappening.Butnotthistime.NotwithPatience.

“Ihavenointentionofbeingengagedormarriedtoyou,realornot,”shedeclared.“Iintendtotravel

toFalmouthalone.Whymybrothersawfittoaskforyourhelp,Idonotknow,butIamheretotellyou
that your assistance is not needed. You can stay here with your...” she waved a hand, “pet sheep, and
leavethismissionuptome.”

Hesteppedcloser.Patiencehadtoliftherchinhighertomaintaineyecontact.Herbrother,anagent

forthecrown,hadaskedhimforhelpwithhismissionandNatefullyintendedtofulfillthatfavor.After
all,themanhadhelpedthemseveraltimeswithkeepingthecustomsmenoffthescentoftheirsmuggling
escapades. Nate and his brother along with two other men ran quite the operation, and it was bound to
draw attention at times. When Jacob Grey had asked him to help and watch over his sister, he could
hardlyrefuse.

“Ridiculous.”
Hearchedaneyebrow.“Ridiculous?”Thewordhadcomefromhersosuddenly.Shemusthavebeen

musingtheirsuddenconnection,justashehad.

Shepressedherlipstogetherbriefly.Jerkingherheadup,shekepthergazesteady.“Yes,ridiculous.

thiswholescenarioisridiculous.Youshouldneverhavetoldyourbrotheraboutthefarceinwhichmy
brotherintendedyoutotakepartandyoushouldneverhaveagreedtoitinthefirstplace.”

“Mybrotherneedsalittleshockingeverynowandthen,andyourbrotheraskedafavorofme.How

wasItorefuse?”

“Quiteeasily.”Sherestedherhandsbackuponherhips.“Here,Ishallshowyou.”Shecoughedand

droppedhervoiceinanintimationofaman’s.“Jacob,unfortunatelyImustdecline.Yoursisterisquiteup
toperformingthistaskonherownandIamnotatallsuitedtoit.Ihumblyapologize.”

Nathaniellaughed.Patiencedidnotlookamused.Herbrother,unbeknownsttoheruntilyesterday,had

askedhimtohelponamission.ItwasknowntoonlyafewpeoplethatJacobGreyworkedforthecrown.
WithNate’sexperienceofsmugglingspiesinandoutofFrancealongsidetheirsmugglingescapades,he
was one of the few. Alongside Jacob’s sister, they were to track down a French woman who had
information on Napoleon, and it meant pretending they were married. A harder task than he had first
assumed,itseemed.

“YoureallythinkIamnotsuitedtocomingtoFalmouthwithyouandprotectingyourhonor?”
“OfcourseIdonot.I’mnotsureyouknowwhathonoris!Thechancesare,ifanyonecatcheswindof

ustogether,myhonorshallbewellandtrulygone.”

“Itseemsyourbrotherdoesnotthinkso.”
“My brother hardly knows what he is doing. He must have struck his head after falling from that

horse.”

“Hebrokehisleg,Patience,nothishead.”

“Couldhavefooledme.”
Jacobwasnowbedriddenafterafallandhadbeenunabletofulfillhisduties.WithPatience’sother

brothersoffatwar,therewasnooneelsetohelphim—apartfromNate.

“Faceit,youarestuckwithme.IshallnotletyougotoFalmouthaloneandIcertainlyshallnotpull

outofagentleman’sagreement.”

Patiencesnorted.
“Youdonotthinkmeagentleman?”Hesmiled.
“Iwouldwagertherearemanywomenwhodonot.”
“Andyouareoneofthem.”
“IonlyknowwhatIamtold.”
Thatdidnotsurprisehim.HecouldhardlyclaimtoknowPatienceanymorethansheknewhim.They

saweachotheratchurchoccasionallyandofferedpolitecommentaryontheoccasionalsocialevent.Her
fatherhadbeenawell-respectedretiredGeneraland,evenafterhisdeath,hisfamilyattendedmostofthe
importanteventsinthearea.SoPatiencecouldnotknowhimproperly.Butshewouldknowofthegossip
thatfollowed.Gossipthatwasnotalwaysunfounded.Hell,whyshouldhecarewhattheoldwomenof
thevillagehadtosayabouthim?Hegavenoapologiesforenjoyinghislife.

“Perhapsyouhavebeentoldwrong,”hereasoned.
“Ihavebeentoldyouarearogue.”
Hechuckled.“Andperhapsyouhavebeentoldright.Butrogueornot,Iintendtoseethisthrough.We

willgotoFalmouth,Iwillposeasyourhusband,andweshallfindthisFrenchwoman.”

“WhatdoyouknowaboutfindingFrenchwomen?”
Hebitbackalaugh.“Alot,Icanassureyou.”
Patience made a disgusted sound. “You must tell my brother you cannot do it. Surely you have

other...thingstodo?Ballstoattend?Animalstohuntorsomething?”Sheglancedatthesheep.“Asheepto
shear?”

Thesheepseemedtotakeadislikingtothisandtooktwostepsforward.Nathanielclickedhistongue

andtheanimalcamebacktohisside.

“I find myself completely at your disposal.” He took one final step closer--one that brought them

almost toe to toe. Her nose lined up directly with his chest, forcing her to crane her neck. “Surely you
haveotherthingstodo?Embroiderytofinish?Pianopracticeperhaps?”Heranhisgazeoverherperson
andatinyshudderwrackedherathisperusal.“Dressestotryon?”

She thrust back her shoulders. It was likely not the first time someone had commented on her

masculineclothing.Mostofthelocalssimplyconsideredheralittleeccentricandturnedablindeyebut
therewerestillafewwhomaderemarksaboutherattire.Hepaidlittleattentiontothesnidewords.It
wasunusualindeedforawomantowearmen’sclothingbutintheirsmallpartofCornwall,therewere
enough unusual characters to fill a lunatic asylum and generally Cornwallians rather treasured their
oddities.

“Asyoucansee,Ihavenoneedfordresses,andIcertainlydonotplaypianoorembroider.”
“Imaginemysurprise,”hedrawled.
“Thisisnotaboutme,thisisaboutyou.”Sheunfoldedherarmsandjabbedafingerinhischest.
Surprisinglyhard.
“Youmusttellmybrotheryoucannotdothisandyoumusttellyourbrotherwearenotengagedbefore

wordspreads.Iamcertainyouwouldbeloathtofindyourselfmarriedtomebecauseyoudecidednow
wasafuntimetoteaseyourbrother.”

Herubbedthespotshehadjabbed.“Mybrotheralreadyknows.”
“Hedoes?”
“Yes,”Natesaidwithadeliberateslownessthatsparkedafireinthoseambereyes.“ItoldhimthatI

wasmerelytoposeasyourhusbandforashortwhileinFalmouth,wherenoonewouldknowmeasthe
EarlofRedmere’sbrotherandIwouldbeundernoobligation.”

“Youtoldhimofthemission?”
“Itoldhimenough.HeknowsI’mhelpingthecrown.Believeme,ifanyonecankeepsuchasecret,

it’smybrother.”

Patiencenoddedslowly.
Ifanyonewasconsideredstalwartandhonorable,itwashisbrother.Thesmallcollectionofpeople

whoknewofthesmugglingringhehadestablishedafewyearsagostillthoughtofhimasagoodman.
Thosewhodidnotknowofit,thoughthimthebestofmenregardless.Hewasgenerousandkindtohis
tenants.

“Youwillnotwithdrawfromthiswillyou?”
“Absolutelynot.Iamamanofmyword.”
Sheglaredathimforseveralmomentsbutherefusedtomoveorlookaway.Thefiercelookfromthe

petitepale-hairedgirlwouldintimidatemanyaman.

He had to wonder where she had perfected it but he supposed growing up with four brothers had

helpedthat.However,itwouldtakemorethanaglarefromaplaingirltoforcehimintosubmission.He
wasratherlookingforwardtothismission.Afterall,itwouldgivehimachancetoescapethewedding
preparationswhilehisbrotherandfiancéearrangedagreatsocietyweddingfitforanearl.

Patiencehuffed.“Verywell,Ishallspeakwithmybrother.Hewillsoonseethefollyofhisways.You

canexpectwordfromhimbeforelongandyoucangobacktoattendingyoursheep.”Sheswiveledonher
heelandsteppedtowardtheentranceofthebarn.

“Willyoubetheonebringingword?”
Patience paused and eyed him. “Not if I can help it. With any luck, we shall hardly need to hold a

conversationagain.”

Wryamusementpulledathislips.“Ilookforwardtoseeingyouagain,Patience.”
“Youwon’tseemeagain,mylord.Goodday.”
Shestrodeaway.Ifthegroundhadbeenhard,herbootswouldhavemadedelightfulstompingsounds

butalasthepreviousday’srainhadleftittoowet.

Natelaughed.

ChapterTwo

Patiencehuffedoutabreathbeforeshesteppedintothehouse.Damnthatman.Damn,damn,damn.This
washeronechancetoproveherselftoherfamilyandNathanielKingsleywasruiningit.

She shut the door behind herself and paused to listen to the tick of the Grandfather clock in the

hallway.HuntingdownLordNathanielKingsleyhadtakenlongerthanshe’dhopedandshewaslatefor
supper.NotthathermotherwouldmindbutwithherbrothersgoneandJacoblaidupinbed,shefeltit
washerdutytocontinuethefamilytraditionofalwaysbeingrigidlyontime.

Grimacing at the silent house that had once been so full of life before her brothers had grown and

joinedthewar,sheshuckedoffhermuddybootsandmadeherwaytothedrawingroominsearchofher
mother.

Pushing open the door to the drawing room, she found her mother in her usual corner, right by the

windowwherethelightwasjustrightforpainting.Thescentofoilpaintsstruckherinstantly.Cordelia
Grey had retained the honeyed fair color of her hair—a shade the same as Patience’s though now
pepperedwithafewstreaksofwhite.Paintsmudgescoveredhermother’scheeksandherfingerswere
tingedgreen,resemblinglongsproutingvegetables.

ItwasasightPatiencewasusedto.Hermotherhadpaintedforaslongasshecouldremember,tucked

upinthecornerandcreatingsceneryafterscenery.ItseemedattimesthatMamapreferredpaintsandoils
to her family. She supposed it was her mother’s way of dealing with an all-male family. Even with
Patience’spresence,shewouldhardlyclaimtoaddanythingfemininetotheirlife.

Shewaitedinthedoorway,unwillingtodisturbthelongbrushstrokesandcarefulattentionuntilthe

rightmoment.Onewrongwordorfootstepanditwouldthrowhermotheroffherstrideandupsether.Her
mother tilted her head, leaned into the painting and dabbed just so before turning her head toward her
daughter.

“Areyoulate?”
Patiencenodded.
“Itdoesn’tmatteryouknow,mydear.Itisonlythethreeofusafterall,andJacobwillbestayingin

bedfortheforeseeablefuture.Youneednotbesorule-bound.”

Sheloweredthebrushintoajarofwaterandswipedherhandsdowntheaproncoveringhersimple

muslin gown. Built much like Patience, yet with a lot more height, her mother’s face radiated a sort of
warmththatalwaysmadePatiencewanttoflingherselfintoherarms.Butshewasagrownwomanand
grownwomendidnotwantembracesfromtheirmothers,particularlynotwhentheirbrotherswouldtease
themmercilessly.

“You’regoingtoFalmouthIhear?”
Patiencenodded.Alone,ifshehadanythingtodowithit.Thoughperhapsshewouldnotmentionthat

facttohermother.Shemightnotbethemosttraditionalorevenprotectiveofmothersbutshehadafew
standardsandwouldnotwantscandal.

Patiencecouldhardlycarelessaboutscandal.Therewasnonetobehadanyway.Shewasofgood

breedingbuthardlynobilityandnooneinFalmouthwouldrecognizeher,shewouldbecertainofthat.

“Make sure you pack a good wardrobe,” her mother said. “There may be opportunities to dine and

dance.”

“IhardlythinkIshallbedancingandenjoyingmyself,Mama.Thisisanimportantmission.”

Hermother’ssmiletookonawistfulair.“Iknow,mydear.Iamsureyoushallrelisheverymoment.It

isabouttimeyouhadsomeadventure.Butdobecareful.Yourescortisnotthemostgentlemanlyofmen.”

“IhardlythinkIneedconcernmyselfwithhim.”
AsifNathanielKingsleywouldbeinterestedinher!Ashort,sturdy,barelyprettywoman.Ohno,he

wouldhavefarmoreexoticwomeninmindforhisconquests.Notthatitmatteredastheywouldnotspend
timetogether.Patiencewouldmakesureofthat.AquietwordwithJacobandallwouldberesolved.

“Youwouldbesurprised.”Hermotherstoodandcameclose.HerhandscametoPatience’scheeks,

stillcoldfromthepaintandwater.

“Youareafineyoungwomanwithmuchtooffer,”shesaid.“Thisisyourfirsttripawayfromhome

withoutmeoryourbrothers.Iknowyouhavebeenhungeringforitbutbewarned,mydear,nomatterhow
strongyouare,lifecansendmanysurprisesyourway.Jacobtellsmeallwillbewellandthatwemustdo
ourdutybutitishardforamothertoletgoofherdaughter.”

“Mama,”hervoicecaughtalittle.
Hermotherdroppedherhandsfromherface.“Well,wouldyoulookatme?Whatasillyfool.Youare

thebravestandboldestgirlIknow.Alwayshavebeen,eversinceyoustartedwalking.Alwaysfollowing
yourbrothersandtryingtoproveyourselfbetter.”

“Iwillbefine,Mama.Nooneshallknow.YoucantelleveryoneIamvisitingwithcousinsandIshall

bebackbeforeyouknowit.”

“Excellent.Andontime,Ishouldhope.Heavenforbidyoubelate.”Hereyestwinkledwithmirthas

hermotherknewalltoowellthatPatiencehadquitethethingfortimekeeping.

“Ishall,”Patiencepromised.Sheglancedatthemantleclockrestinguponthelargestonefireplace.

“IsJacobabed?”

“Indeed.IthinkheisenjoyingtherestifIamhonest.”Hermothershookherhead.“WhoknewJacob

wasevencapableofrest?”

“Ishallgospeakwithhim.Imustfinalizethedetailsofourplan.”
Her mother eased herself back into the chair and picked up a brush and sighed. “All these plans. I

shallneverunderstandhowIgavebirthtothesechildrenwhosoadoreplans.”

Patiencedidnotremaininthedrawingroomanylonger.Oncehermotherhadstartedthenextbrush

stroke,therewasnochanceofhavinganyfurtherconversation.Shebackedquietlyoutoftheroomand
musedhermother’scandidaffection.Itseemedhergoingawayhadmadehermothermoreappreciativeof
her.Shesmiled.Alreadylifewasgettingbetter.Justwaituntilshereturnedwiththeinformation.Allher
brotherswouldbeinaweofherandfinallyhereldestbrother,Harry,couldbeproudofhisannoyinglittle
sister.

Takingthestepstwoatatime,shereachedherbrother’sroomandknocked.Shepushedopenthedoor

afterhearingamuffledcommandtoenter.

Herbrothergrinnedwhenhespottedherglare.“Patience,”hewarned.
Shestrodeovertohisbedsideandputhandstohips.Jacobwastuckedcarefullyunderseverallayers

ofblanketsandproppedupagainsttheagedwoodenheadboardwithseveralpillows.Itwasunusualto
seeherbrotherathome,letalonelyingstillbutitseemedhecouldadjusttoanysituation,evenbeinga
patient,andwasquiterelishingalltheattention.

“No,”hesaid.
Shejerkedhergazetohisface.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“No.YouarenotgoingtoFalmouthalone.”
She opened her mouth and clamped it shut before drawing in a long breath through her nose. “But,

Jacob,youcannotexpectmetogowiththatman.Heisarogue!”

“Yes,whichmakeshimperfectfortherole.”
She blinked at him several times. Six years her senior and the second oldest, Jacob had never had

muchtimeforher.Hehadbeenagoodenougholderbrotherbuthardlybotheredaboutplayingwithhis
irritatingsister.However,shecertainlyneverexpectedhimtocaresolittleabouthersafetyandwelfare.

NotthatshereallyconsideredherselfintroublewhenitcametoNathaniel.Butshehadhopedtoplay

onJacob’sprotectiveside.

“Whichrolewouldthatbe?Theonewhereheistokeepyoursistersafe?Butwhowillprotectme

fromhim?”

Jacoblaughed.“Iamcertainyoucanmanagethatyourself.IstillrecallyoukneeingMichaelWetherby

intheballstwoChristmasesago.”

“Hetriedtoforceakissonme.Hedeservedit.”
“IamcertainifyoucanhandleWetherby,youcanhandleNate.”
“ButwhatdoesheknowaboutworkingforBritishintelligence?”
“Whatdoyouknow?”herbrotherpointedout.
“Plenty!Ihavebeenwatchingyoualltheseyears.I’vestudiedeverythingthatIcanstudy.”
“Afewdetectivebooksdoesnotmakeoneanagent.”Hislipsquirkedwithamusement.
Oh, how she hated that patronizing look. The only one who never bestowed it upon her was her

mother.Allthemeninthefamilylovedtosmileatherlikethat.Ohbless,littlePatienceistryingtobe
oneofthebigboys.

“I can do this alone. I do not need help, particularly from a spoiled lord with no experience of

anythingotherthanchasingafterpetticoats.”

Jacobpressedfingerstohisbrow.“Patience,hehasmoreexperiencethanyouknow.Trustme,heis

perfect for this role. Besides, they need a man and a wife for this. That was the whole reason for me
taking you. Now that I am unable to go, we must have a replacement, and fast. If we’re to catch this
woman,wemusthaveyouandNateposeashusbandandwife.”

Patiencemadeadisgustedsound.“Icandothisalone.”
“No.”
“But—”
“No,Patience.”
“Jacob,please.”
Heshookhisheadvigorously.“No.ItrustNateandyoushouldtoo.”
“WhyshouldItrustaroguishlordwhocanonlythinkwithwhatisinhisbreeches?”
Jacobreleasedalongbreath.“SometimesIthinkyouwouldbenefitfromsomeladylikecompany.You

haveclearlyspenttoomuchtimeinthecompanyofmen.”

“Wellthatisnotgoingtochangeanytimesoon,isit,ifyouforcemetogowithNathanielKingsley?”
“Thatistruebut,alas,wehavenochoice.Nooneelsecanknowofthismissionsowemustmakedo.

YouwillgotoFalmouthwithNateandthatisthat.Unless,ofcourse,youwouldlikemetofindanother
womanorperhapscancelthemissionaltogether?”

“Certainlynot.”
“Therewehaveitthen.Youshallleaveintwodaysandposeashusbandandwife.”
Shepressedherteethtogetheruntilherjawhurt.
“Donotlookatmelikethat,”hewarned.“Wehavenochoice.”
“IsupposeIhadbettergoandpackthen,”shesaidtightly.
“Yes,youbetterhad.And,Patience,”hesaidasshewenttothedoor,“packadamneddress.”
Patiencehuffedandstormedoutoftheroom.Packadress,takealord,pretendtobemarried.This

missionwasgettingworsebythesecond.

ChapterThree

“T herewouldhavebeen many a heartbroken lass had you really been engaged,” Drake said. His grin
grewwicked.“Iwaslookingforwardtoofferingmycomfortandcondolences.”

Nateshookhisheadandignoredhisfriend’sjest.Insteadheturnedhisattentiontothealeinhishand.

Itwouldbehislastforawhile.He’dneedaclearheadforwhatwastocome,especiallyifhewasto
keep that minx under control. If her own mother could not make her wear a dress, what chance did he
have?

Eitherway,hewaslookingforwardtothechallenge.Smugglingwasallwellandgoodbuttheyhad

only gone out once in the past month and all had been quiet. No excitement to be had. He was rather
lookingforwardtothechancetoindulgeinsomeespionageandadventure.

Ofcourse,JacobGreywasawareoftheirillicitactivities.BeingaBritishagenthadmeanttheyhad

helpedhimbefore.HewasoneofthefewresidentsofPenshallowwhoquiteunderstoodwhowasbehind
allthesmugglingthattookplaceintheirsmallfishingvillage.MostthoughtKnightthefaceofit—thebig,
brooding,scarredhulkofamanoppositewhospokeonlywhenabsolutelynecessary.

Atpresent,Knight’sattentionwasonsomethingnearthebar.Nateflickedaglanceoverbutcouldsee

nothingofinterest.OnlytheusualoverlydrunkpatronsgatheredwhileLouisa,theinnkeeper,workedher
hardesttokeepupwithdemand.

Otherregularslitteredtheroom,gatheredaroundsmalltables.Somehadcardsintheirhandswhile

allhaddrinks.TheShipInnwasnotthemostsavoryofplacesbutitwasoutofthewayandthefoodwas
good.NottomentionLouisawasuncannilygoodatensuringthecustomsmennevercameneartheplace.
Shehadsavedtheirskinmanytimesandtheyrepaidherhelpgenerously,ensuringshehadagoodsupply
ofexcellentFrenchwine.

“Youwereadamnedfool,signingupforthis,”Nate’sbrothersaid,thrustingafingerathim.
“What was I to do? You were off enjoying yourself with Hannah. Far too much it seems.” His

brother’sgazedarkenedandNateimmediatelyceasedanyideaoftalkingofRed’sfiancée.

Hannah was currently installed in lodgings in the village while they awaited the license for their

marriageandtofinalizeallthedetails.Hisbrotherwas,unbelievably,utterlyinthelovewiththewoman.
ItwasnotsomuchthewomanhehadfallenforthatsurprisedNatebutthathisbrotherhadtheabilityto
fallsoheavilyforher.Redhadalwaysbeentoobusytothinkoflove,orevenmarriage.

Drakeleanedin.ThecaptainfixedRedwithaslightsmileonhislips.“Faceit,Red.Whileyouwere

distractedbypetticoats,Natehelddownthefort.Idon’tblamehimforofferingtohelp,afterall,arewe
notinthistohelpthecrown?”

“Sincewhenareyousonoble?”Reddemanded.
“SinceIhaveapocketfullofcoin,”Drakesaidsmugly.“Thingshavebeengoinguncommonlywellof

late.Idon’tseewhyNatecannothelpJacobGreyandbebackintimeforournextouting.”

“Uncommonlywell?”Nate’sbrotherliftedabrow.“AfterKnight’sillnessandthestormthatneartore

yourshipinhalf,youwerecomplainingofcurses.Nowyouthinkthingsaregoinguncommonlywell?”

Knightglowered.Thegiantofamansatwithhisarmsfolded,agreatscowletcheduponhisfacethat

insomelightslookedasthoughitcouldbemadeofgranite.Wereitnotforbeingfriendswithhim,Nate
wouldgivehimawideberth.Themanlookedliketroubleand,potentially,hewas.Noonereallyknew
anything about him apart from the fact he was useful muscle and a damned hard worker. Though Nate

suspectedtherewassomethingmoreunderthatsilentexterior.Whatthatwas,however,hewasnotsure.

“Itwasnotanillness,”Knightprotested.
Drakelaughed.“Youvomitedonmyboots,Knight.Whatwouldyoucallit?”
Knightfellbackintosilentmodeandgloweredsomemore.
“Anyway,”Natesaid,takingbacktheconversation.“Asidefromallofthat,wehavebeendoingwell.

Thecustomsmenhavebeenchasingtheirtailsandwe’vealreadysoldonthelastofourhaul.AsDrake
says,we’remeanttobehelpingthegovernment,sowhynotagreetohelp?”

Redexhaledalengthy,audiblebreath.“Doyouknowwhatthis‘mission’isgoingtoentail?”
“Jacobhasgivenmemostofthedetails.Hissister—ifshewilleverdeigntotalktomeratherthan

shout—isfullyinformed.ShewastogowithJacobandposeashiswifebeforehefellfromhishorse.”

“So you are to play husband for a while?” Drake asked, his grin lewd. “Will you get all the

advantagestoo?”

“Drake,”Natesaid,“ifyoumether,youwouldn’tbebotheredbytheadvantages.Asitis,I’mfairly

certainshehatesmesimplyforbreathing.”

“Then you’ll have to change that.” Drake took a gulp from his ale and paused, his brow furrowed.

“JacobGrey.Ishissisternottheonewhoalwayswearsbreeches?”

“AndthereyouseewhyIwouldnotevenattempttotakeadvantage.”
“Yes,”thecaptainmused,“shewouldbetoughtoconquer.Greatsetoftitsthough.”
“Youareobsessedwithtits,”Redsnapped.
“Whatmanisn’t?”Drakedemanded.“You’restillsorebecauseInoticedHannah’sassetsbeforeyou

did.”

NatesawRed’sfistclenchathisside.Thefourofthemhadbeenfriendsforseveralyearsnowand

theyalltrustedDrakewithhislife.Hewasanexcellentcaptain,evenifhedidgetdistractedbybreasts
fartoooften.However,whenitcametoHannah,Redhadnosenseofhumorwhatsoever.

“IshallgotoFalmouthtomorrow,”Natedeclaredinanattempttobreakthetension.“Thereweshall

pose as this married couple and await the arrival of a French woman who it seems has pertinent
information.Oncewehavetheinformation,I’llreturn.Icannotimagineitshalltakemorethanaweek.”

“Andwehavenothingofimportancetodoforanotherthree,”Drakepointedout.
Rednoddedslowly.“Wecannotgoanywhereuntiltheshipisfullymendedanyway.”Hisbrothereyed

him.“Justbecareful,that’sallIask.”

Nate rolled his eyes. There was only two years between them but because their mother had died

whilst giving birth to Nate, Red had taken it upon himself to play the older brother role to a fault. The
wholereasonforRedsettingupthesmugglingringhadbeensoNatecouldhaveatasteofadventureand
helpthewareffortafterhehaddiscoveredheneededglassesandcouldnotgetacommission.Hewas
thoroughlyawareofthat,evenifRedneversaidasmuch.Butwhilehewasappreciativeofeverythinghis
brotherhaddone,heneededRedtostoptreatinghimlikealittlebrotherandrecognizehimasagrown
man.

Potentiallycompletingthismissionsuccessfullywouldproveasmuch.Ifdrinkingandtuppinghadnot

alreadyshownRed,perhapsthiswashischancetogetoutfromunderhisbrother’sbloodyshadow.

“WhenamIevernotcareful?”Nateasked.
Allthemenaroundthetablechuckled.
“What?”
Drakeleanedin.“Thattimeyoudecidedtoclimbthecliffsandnearlydrowned.”
“Ihadnochoice.Thetidewascomingin.”
“What about the time you snuck into that woman’s bedroom. What was she? A countess?” Red

suggested.

“Amarchioness,”Natecorrected.“Itwasworthit.”

Redgroaned.“Youwerenearlykilledbyherhusband.”
Louisaapproachedwithafreshroundofales.Sheplacedthetraydownandgrinned.“Don’tforgetthe

timehegotsteamingdrunkandtriedtochallengeKnighttoafistfight.”

“Iwouldhavegoneeasyonhim,”Knightgrumbled.
Natestraightened.“Icouldhavewon.”
“Youwereluckytherestofushadclearheads,”hisbrotherpointedout.
“Well,Ipromise,dearbrother,thatIshallbethemostcautiousmanthereeverwas.Ishallfindthis

Frenchwoman,withorwithoutPatienceGrey’shelpandgetthisinformation.AndIshalldoitwithouta
whisperoftrouble.”

Themenglancedateachother.Louisasetdownthebeersandtuckedthetrayunderherarm.Thefair-

hairedwomanshookherheadinamusement.“Soundslikeyouchapsneedtomakeawager.”

“Iwagerhegetshimselfarrested,”Drakesaid.
Rednodded.“Verywell,IwagerhefallsfortheFrenchwoman.”
“Thankyoufortheconfidence,brother,”Natesaidpointedly.“Itmeansalot.”
“Louisa,doyouwishtoplaceawager?”Drakequeried.
Sheshookherhead.“Inevergamble.”
Thecaptainturnedhisattentiontothebehemothwatchingsilently.“Whataboutyou,Knight?”
“Iwager”—heeyedNatewiththeoddestlookonhisface—”Natefallsforthesister.”
AlaughescapedNate.“Thewomaninthebreeches?”
Knightnodded.
Nateshookhisheadvigorously.“ThewomanhatesmeandIcertainlyhavenointerestinher.Bigtits

ornot,”hesaidwithalooktoDrake.

Knightshrugged.“Yourfamilyhasahistoryoffallingforthewomentheyhelp.Ithinkyouwillfallfor

her.”

Shakinghisheadagain,hechuckled.“RedmighthaveathingforstubbornwomenwhoneedhelpbutI

certainlydonot.PatienceGreyisnotthesortofwomanamanfallseasilyfor,trustme.”

ChapterFour

T hemailcarriagetotakethemtoFalmoutharrivedhalfanhourlate.

Patience nearly collapsed to the floor when it finally rolled up outside of Mrs. Whittaker’s supply

store.

HalfanhourofstandingwithNathaniel,ofbeingfartooawareofhimnearbyandofuncomfortable

conversation.

Atleastfromherside.
ShedoubtedNathanielevenknewwhatdiscomfortwas.Amanofwealthandbreedinglikehimself

wouldbeusedtobeingcomfortableeverywherehewent.

The moon shone brightly, reflecting off the silent harbor and highlighting the painted livery of the

coach,declaringitbelongingtotheRoyalMailandemphasizingitsstopsthatwerecarefullylabelledon
theside.Noparcelswerecollectedorswappedsotheygotonquicklyandfoundthecoachtobeempty.

“I imagine the recent bad weather has put people off travelling,” Nathaniel suggested as he settled

himself.

Patience had chosen the seat opposite and to one side on purpose. That way she could keep her

distancefromhim.Fromtheamusedsmirkonhisface,heunderstoodherchoice.However,shecouldnot
helpwonderifsittingnexthimwouldnothavebeenbetter.Yes,theirbodiesmighthavetouchedasthe
coachmadeitswayacrosstheruggedCornwallterrainbutatleastshewouldnothavetokeeplookingat
him.

Notthatshehadto.Afterall,therewasnearlyafullmoonoutthereshecouldeye.Oreventhestar

speckledskyforhertowatchgoby.Withsuchaclearnight,shecouldevenlookatsomeofthescenery
andadmirethequaintcottages,theirwindowslitwiththecomfortingglowofcandles.

But, apparently, none of those things interested her more than her companion for the foreseeable

future.Whichwasridiculous.Therewasnothinginterestingabouthim.NathanielKingsleywasarakeand
arogue.Amanwhotookpleasureinthemostsordidthingsinlifeandknewnothingofhardship.There
wasnaughtatallinterestingabouthim.

Thewayhisbluegazeskimmedoverherandmadeherskintinglewasnotinteresting.Theartfulcutof

his chestnut hair that left it just long enough to make one wonder if it was soft to touch was not at all
intriguing.Thewidesetofhisshoulders…Nonothingtobeseenthere.Nordidshelikethewidthofhis
chinorhowhisspectaclesenhancedhisblueeyesandmadehimlookallthemoreintenseandintelligent.

No.Nothingofinterestthereatall,andshewoulddowelltorememberthat.
“IfyouandIaretoworktogether,Ithinkyouneedtobewillingtospeakwithme,Patience.”
Argh,shehatedhowreasonablehesounded.Somuchofherwantedtostampherfeetandthrowafit.

No,Idonotwishtospeakwithyou.No,Idonotwantyouhere.No,no,no,no,no.

Butthatwouldnothelphercause,wouldit?Afterall,shewasmeanttobeprovingherselfandbeing

abrattishyoungwomanwoulddonothingforher.

“Verywell,”shesaidtightly.“Ofwhatdoyouwishtospeak?”
“ThisFrenchwoman,whatdoyouknowofher?Ihavehadlittletimetogetuptospeed.”
“Pauline Fourès was nothing more than a miller’s daughter. She married a lieutenant in the French

army and soon became rather popular with the men. It was not long before she caught Napoleon’s
attentionbutshewouldnotbeswayed.Sohesentherhusbandonvariousmissions,ensuringhehadtime

withPaulineuntilshefinallyconsentedtobeinghismistress.Ibelievetheyweretogetherfortwoyears.”

“Whatchanged?Whyisshecominghere?”
Shecouldnothelpbutsmile.“Whyelse?Shehasbeenscorned.”
“ByNapoleon?”
Patiencenodded.“Andherhusband.Napoleonlostinterestaftertimeapartwhilehecampaignedin

Spain. Her husband found out about the affair and it is said he has a terrible temper. She applied for
divorce,statingshefearedforherlife.”

“Sosheisescapingthesemen?”
“Sotospeak,butshewantsrevengetoo.”
“Ah.Andthegovernmentwishestousethattotheiradvantage.”
“Precisely.”
“Whatinformationdoesshehaveandhowdoweknowshehassome?”
“PaulinehasasecondcousinlivinginFalmouth.Partofmybrother’sdutieswastowatchoverthose

whowereinsomewayrelatedtoNapoleon.TheyareobviouslynothisdirectrelationsbutPaulinewrote
to her distant cousin, Francine, enough to warrant interest in her. The British intelligence has been
interceptingandreadingherlettersforquitesometime.”

“ThatishowherdeparturetoCornwallcametotheirattention?”
Patiencenodded.“Sheaskedhercousinforhelpandasafeplacetostay.Butwhatwasperfectforus

—mybrotherandmyselfImean—isthatshehasneveractuallymethercousin.”

“Andthisiswhyyouweretoposeasacouple,”Nathanialstated.
“And this is why my brother wants us to pose as a couple,” she said, with a sigh. “Pauline is

expectingtobemetbyhercousinandhercousin’shusband.”

Shestoleaquickglanceoutofthewindowtonotetheirprogress.Theycontinuedalongtheroadthat

ledoverthehills,themoonlightfrostingthetipsofrocksandshrubs.Littleelsecouldbeseenbesidesthe
occasionalchimneyfromoldandworkingminesandsometimesthemilkylightlittheocean,revealingits
expansivestretchtowardthehorizon.

“Icoulddothisalone,youknow.”Sheturnedbacktohim.“Ihavenoneedofyourhelp.”
“Notthisagain,”hegroaned.“AndhereIthoughtyouwouldhaveresignedyourselftothefactthatI

amnotleavingyourside.”Hegrinned.“Faceit,Patience,youarestuckwithmeforbetterorforworse.”

“Itwilldefinitelybeforworse,”shegrumbled.
“Comenow,Iamnotsuchterriblecompany.”
“Iwouldnotknow,”shesaidhaughtily.
“DoIdetectahintoflonging?”
Themoonlightcaughthiseyesatthatprecisemoment,highlightingthetwinkleofteasinginthem.She

grittedherteeth.“Theonlylongingyoudetectisalongingtobealone.”

“So you’ve never desired my company? Never been a little envious when I have say...danced with

anotherwoman?”

“Donotberidiculous,”shespluttered.“Iloathedancing.”
Heeyedherforamomentandshesomehowkeptherbodystillandfoughttheneedtosquirm.“What

isit?”shefinallysnappedaftertoolongunderhisobservation.

“Idon’tbelieveyou.”
“ThatIloathedancing?”
“No,thatyoudonotwishtodancewithme.”
Patiencerolledhereyes.“Yourarrogancereallydoesknownobounds.Isitthathardtobelievethata

womanmightnotwishtodance,andmorespecificallyshemightnotwishtodancewithyou?”

Hefoldedhisarmsandloungedbackagainstthechair.Thecomfortingrockandclack, clack of the

wheelsupontheroaddidnothingtohelpthemoment.Patiencetightenedherjawandeyedhimback.What

was it with this man? Did he simply enjoy riling her? Did he take pride in being wholly arrogant and
rude?

“Ihavecertainlynevermetawomanwhodoesnotwishtodancewithme,”hesaidafteratime.
“Well,youhavenow.”
Hemerelysmirked.
“Youhave!”sheinsisted.
“Ifyousayso.”
Patienceletoutanearscreamoffrustration.“Youareimpossible.”
“AndyouarenottheeasiestwomantodealwithsoIwouldsayweareeven.”
Another almost inhumane sound of annoyance escaped her. She slumped back against the chair and

turnedhergazepointedlyoutthewindow.Therewasnoreasoningwithhim.Hewouldneverleaveher
be.HeronlyhopewasshecouldescapehiscompanyoncetheyreachedFalmouthanddoherownthing.

Nathanielhadapparentlygivenupthefightforthetimebeingandremainedquiet.Itwasgood.Yes.

She liked the quiet. Far better than arguing with him, was it not? Even if there was something faintly
stiflingintheair.Asortofheatlikeablanketclosinguponher.

She stole a peek at him. He was staring at her. She turned away, warmth rising in her cheeks. No

wondershehadfeltodd.Anyonewouldwhilebeingstaredatsoobviously.Shelookedagain,thistime
notsosubtly.Hestillwatchedher.

“Whatisit?”shefinallysnapped.
“Youknowifwearetoposeashusbandandwife,yououghttoshowsomeaffectionforme.”
“Notallhusbandsandwivesareaffectionate.”
Herownparents,forexample.Beforeherfather’sdeath,shehadbecomeawaretherewasnotmuch

lovebetweenthem.Sheconsideredthemlikeoddsortoffriends.Theyhadnothingincommonandshe
neversawthemtoucheachother,buttheyseemedtomuddlealongwellenoughaslongastheybothhad
theirownspacewhentheyneededit.

“IalwaysthoughtIwouldhavesomeaffectionformywife,”hemused.“AndIhadhopedshewould

havesomeforme.”

“Well,Iamnotyourwife.”
“Fornow.”
Shenearlychokedonabreath.“Whatisthatmeanttomean?”
“OncewereachFalmouth,youshallbe.Inappearanceatleast.”Asmilecurvedhislips.“ThoughI

suspectsomewillhaveahardtimebelievingit.”

“Becauseamanlikeyourselfwouldnevermarryawomanlikeme?”
“No,becauseamanlikemyselfwouldnotletyoudressso.Hewouldadornyouwiththefinestgowns

and silks and...” He paused and Patience found herself awaiting the next sentence with baited breath.
“Andhewouldensureyourwomanlyassetswereperfectlydisplayed.”

Sucking in a sharp breath, she shook her head. “You, my lord, are truly scandalous. How dare you

discussmy...myassets?”

Hegaveashrugandchuckled.“Theycanhardlybeavoided.Afterall,theyarequitebountiful.”
Patience snapped her head around and vowed to focus on the passing scenery once more. The

shockingmandidnotdeserveherattention.Howdarehe?Howverydarehe?

Yet...
Yetatinyvoiceinsidehertoldhershewaspleasedhehadnoticedthatabouther.Itwassofoolishit

wasalmostlaughable.She,whocouldnotcareonejotforappearingwomanlyandbountiful,likedthat
thisarrogantlordhadnoticedherassets.Sheresistedthedesiretopressherheadagainstthecoolglassof
thewindow.Couldthisgetanyworse?

ChapterFive

T heyarrivedatFalmouthunderthecoverofdawn.Theduskylightgavethetownaromanticairthough
Nateknewtherelativelylargemunicipalitycouldbeadenforallsortsofgoingson.Thetightlywinding
streetswheretheoldTudorbuildingsnearlytouchedwereahavenforthedrunk,disorderly,andcriminal.
Nate came to Falmouth frequently enough, what with it being their nearest town and he had a sort of
affection for it. It lacked the peaceful slowness that came along with living in a seaside village but he
ratherlikedtheanonymityofit.ItcertainlycouldnotcomparetoLondonbutitwasafineplacetoseek
outhisnextadventure...orcompanion.Manyattractiveladiesattendedthefewsocialeventsandhehad
createdmanymemorieshere.

Thecarriageslowedwhileitnavigatedthetightroads.Lampswerelitinafewwindowsandthere

weresignsofpeoplerisingfortheday,thoughonlythosewhohadaneedtobeupsoearly.Aknocker-
upper went by, a large stick in hand, useful for tapping on windows and rousing those who had no
servantstoensuretheywereupfortheday.

Of course, he would be creating new memories now. Ones that would involve Patience. His lips

quirked when he eyed her mutinous pout and the way she kept her attention forcibly on what was
happeningoutside.Shehadtohaveacrickinherneckbynow,shehadbeenstaringoutofthewindowfor
solong.

Itdidn’thelpthatshemadeherselfsoeasytorile.Despitetheunusualgarments,therewassomething

uptightabouther,asthoughshewaswearingthesnuggestcorsetavailable.Hewantedtodigunderthat
loose shirt and jacket and pull at the strings to see what would happen. She was quite the riddle, this
woman.

Thecarriageroundedacornerandthestreetwidened.Thehousesgrewtallerandfartherapart.Each

cream house mirrored the next, with tall windows and a large black door central to every building,
reachedbyfourstepsandablackrailing.Bootscraperssatpatientlyoutsideeachone.

Themailcoachcametoastopnotfarfromtheendoftheroad,nexttoagrocerystore.Therewasa

bustleofmovementwhilepackagesandletterswereunloadedsoNateroseandopenedthedoortostep
out.Thefragranceofwoodfiresfilledtheair.HeturnedtoofferahandtoPatiencebutsheignoreditand
steppeddown.Shegavealittlestumbleandhehadtobitebackalaughwhilesheglaredathim.

“The house is just along here, I believe.” She motioned down the road where the length of cream

houses ended and branched out into two other roads. A few houses were scattered high upon the hills
surroundingthetownandPatiencehadpointedtoonethatsatatthetopofarathersteepsetofsteps.At
leasttheywouldnothaveanyunexpectedvisitors,hesupposed.

Theymadetheirwaytothehouse,Patiencehuggingherlargetravelbagtoherchestforfearofhim

doingsomethinggentlemanlyandofferingtotakeit,heassumed.Well,hehadlittleintentionofoffering
rightnow.Itwouldonlyleadtoanargumentandthejourneyandlackofsleephadlefthimtootiredto
fight.

“Hereweare,”Patiencedeclared.“TheSmiths’house.”
Jacob had informed him that the cousins had been called away from town. He was not sure what

BritishintelligencehaddonebuttheyhadsomehowensuredtheywouldnotreturnuntiltheFrenchwoman
hadbeenfound.ItwasherethatheandPatiencewouldposeasthiscousinandherhusband,andhopefully
makecontactwithPauline.Thentheywouldbeabletopersuadehertogiveovertheinformationinreturn

forprotectionfromherhusbandandpotentiallyNapoleon.Theemperorwouldnotbebestpleasedtofind
outhisoldmistresswasgivingawayhissecrets.

Ofcourse,Natewouldnevertreataloversopoorly.Allhisconquestswentawayveryhappywomen

indeed.

The door to the house opened before they had even knocked. A short, slightly rounded woman

answered and peered at them both. She was short, even compared to Patience, and that was saying
something.

“Comeonin,”thewomansaid,glancingaround.“Leaveyourluggageinthehall.”
Nate did as he was told, placing his bags onto the black and white tiled floor. A white painted

staircase,laidwitharedpatternedcarpetroseupwardswhileahallwayreachedpastit,leadingtoadoor
attheendandonetothesideofthem.Itwashardlycomparabletohisbrother’shousebuttheoccupants
would be wealthy enough and likely held at least another home elsewhere. A chandelier hung from the
highceilingbutwasunlit.Onlytwolampsprovidedthelightintheroom.

Thewomanhustledthemintotheroomtothesidewhichturnedouttobethedrawingroom.Again,

onlytwolampswerelit,justenoughtocastadimhazeabouttheplace.SeveralpaintingsofwhatNate
presumedtobelocalsceneryhungonthewalls,minglingwithsmall,roundedportraitsofelegantmenand
women.Afireburnedinthestonefireplace,castingflickeringfingersoflightabouttheplace.

“Forgivethepoorwelcome,mydears,”thewomansaid.“Iamunderorderstokeepyourarrivalquiet

forthetimebeing.”

“We?”Nateasked.
“British intelligence.” She smiled. “Mrs. Joyce Rowley at your service. I am to look after you for

yourstayaswellasbeofanyhelpthatIcan.MostlyIshallbekeepingyoufed.”

Natepeeredattheshort,wiryhairedwoman.Herthinlipsandtightlypulledbackblackhairgaveher

alookofnononsensebutshehadafriendlylookinhereyeandanopenmanner.

“Apleasuretomeetyou,”Natesaid.
“YouareLordNathanielKingsley,andyouareMissPatienceGrey?”
Henodded.“Indeed.Atleastfornow.”
“HaveyouheardanywordofPauline?”Patiencedemanded.
Joycegaveanappreciativesmile.Apparently,shewaskeentosettoworktoo.“Nothingyet.Mr.and

Mrs.Smithlefttwodaysago.Weareblessedwiththembeingoutofthetown.Aslongaswekeepyou
hiddenfromsight,nooneshallnoticethattheSmithsreturnedasdifferentpeople.OurhopeisthatMrs.
Fourèsshalltrytomakecontactbeforelongandvisitthehouse.”

“Andhopefullybringusthatinformation,”Patiencefinished.
“Whatexactlyistheinformation?”Nateaskedthewoman.
Joycegaveasmile.“IamafraidIdonotknow.Iammerelyalowlyhousekeeper.”
“ForBritishintelligence,”Natemuttered.
“Ihavecookedandcleanedformanyimportantmenandwomen,”Joycesaidwithpride.“However,I

amrarelyprivytotheimportantinformation.Thereareseveralfilesawaitingyouinthestudythatwere
sentdownpriortoyourarrival.”

“Andyouwouldn’tknowwhatwasinthem?”
Joyce’ssmileturnedmischievous.“Notatall.”
Natetriednottogrin.Thehousekeepermightclaimignorancebutheknewifhewereinherposition,

hewouldhavesnuckthroughthefileshimself.

Patiencenodded.“Wehadbetterlookthroughthosenow.”
“Already?Wouldyounotlikesomerefreshmentfirst?”Joyceasked.
NatewasabouttoagreethathewouldnotmindacoffeeatallbutPatienceshookherhead.“Nothank

you.Letuslookatthosefilesandthenweshallhaveadrinkandsomethingtoeat,ifyouplease.”

“Allbusiness,”Natemurmured.
Patienceshothimaglare.“Isthestudythroughhere?”sheasked,motioningtothedoorattheendof

thehallway.

“Through there and to your left. I shall ready some drinks for you and bring them in. I think Lord

Nathanielcoulddowithsomething.”

Nategavethehousekeeperagratefulsmile.
NatedutifullyfollowedPatiencethroughthehousetothestudy.Thefireintheroomwasunlit.Astack

ofpapersawaitedthemonamahoganydesk.Twobookcasescoveredonewall,thespinesoldanddusty.
Mostlookedasthoughtheyhadneverbeentouched.

NatewaitedwhilePatienceleafedthroughtheinformation.Hewouldreadithimselfshortly,oncehe

hadconsumedacoffee.Hestrolledabouttheroomandpickedupabook.Acloudofdustconsumedhim
andheletoutasneezethatwouldnotbeheldback.

Patienceglaredathim.
“Ihardlysneezedonpurpose,”hedeclared.
Shewavedabitofpaperathim.“Mrs.FourèsplayedNapoleonwellitseems.Sheensuredhewanted

her desperately before giving in to being his mistress. It seems, though, there may have been some
affectionthere,particularlyasshewasnothappyinhermarriage.Whenhelostinterest,itlikelyhurther.”

“Andshelostherhusbandtoo,”Nateadded.
“Somemightsaythatwasablessing,includingPaulinebythelooksofit.Ifshewasright,hemight

havebeenadangertoher.ButourMadamePaulinewasnothappywithsimplyescaping.Fromtheletters
they’vecopiedhereit’sclearshewantsrevengeandtosecurehersafety.Whatbetterwaythantohold
importantinformationinenemyterritory?”

“Whydoesshenotsimplygiveitover?”Nateasked.
Patience shook her head. “She probably still loves him. She is probably using the information to

ensure she is left alone. We are dealing with an intelligent woman by all accounts. It says here, in her
letter,ifanyonethreatensher,sheshallrevealthenamesofseveralFrenchspiesaswellasinformationon
Napoleon’snextmovements.”

Herubbedahandacrosshisjaw.“Allofwhichcouldbeahugehelptothewareffort.”
“Weneedtoensureshecomesoutofhidingandweneedtobetheoneswhogainhertrust.”
“Soundssimpleenough.”Natestrodeovertothefireplaceandeyedtheminiaturesingildedframesof

variousfamilymembers.“Wewait,youpretendtobehertrustedcousin,andifneedsbe,werevealour
handandensureshegivesovertheinformation.”

“Whenyougettomyage,LordNathaniel,”Joycesaidassheenteredtheroomwithatrayofcoffee

andbiscuits,“yourealizenothingiseversimple.”

Nate glanced at Patience and found he had to agree with the housekeeper. There would be nothing

simpleaboutbeinginPatience’scompany.Nothingatall.

ChapterSix

T heincessanttickofanearbyclockrattledthroughPatience’sbrain.Tick,tick,tick,youcan’tsleep,it
toldher.Shetossedtooneside,awareofthestrangesheetsslidingagainstherskin.Themattressgavea
creakandsheheardacarriagerollingbyoutside,thedriverwhistlingafar-toohappytuneforwhathadto
betheextremelyearlyhoursofthemorning.

Patiencehuffed.“Igiveup,”shemuttered.
Therewasnosleeptobehad.Hermindwasinsistingonrunningovereverylittleincidentfromwhen

her brother had first announced she was to pretend to be Nathaniel’s wife to now. She could not stop
thinkingaboutthatconfrontationinthebarnandhowroguishand...well,attractiveNathanielhadlookedin
shirt and breeches. And then there was that sheep. Who had a pet sheep, honestly? But there was
somethingabouthisfondnessforthecreaturethatappealedtoher.Afterall,demonstratingakindnessto
animalswashardlyanunwantedtrait.

Thentherehadbeentheirconversationinthecarriage.Ifonecouldcallitaconversation.
Verywell,forthemostpartithadbeenanargument.
Butwithinthatargumenthadbeeninformationherbrainhadkeptholdof.Forexample,hehadtalked

ofdisplayingherfigure.Sheshouldbedisgustedbysuchbawdytalk.Shewasdisgusted.However,that
irritatinglittlevoicethatcouldnotbetamedwassecretlypleased.

Sheblewoutabreath.Pleased!Sheofallpeople.Shedidnotgiveafigaboutbeingseenasawoman

oramannoticingherfigure.Heck,ifshedid,shewouldnotbewanderingaround,invitingridiculeby
wearing what she deemed as more comfortable clothes. It was all well and good looking pretty and
invitingadmirationbuthowcouldawomandoanythinginsuchrestrictiveclothing?No,shewouldnotbe
wearingadressunlessitwasabsolutelynecessaryandithadnothingtodowithwishingtoshowoffher
figuretoNathaniel.

Notthatshereallyhadmuchofone.Herarmsweretoothick,sowereherthighs.Shedidnoteven

have much of a defined waist. Sturdy, her mother called her. Enough people had definitely called her
masculine,evenwithherratherlargebreasts.Ifitwasnotforthem,noonewouldconsiderherwomanly
atall,especiallyNathaniel.

Patiencethrewbackthecoversandsuckedinabreathofair.Thenightwascoolbuttheembersfrom

thefireinherroomcontinuedtogiveoffalittlewarmth.Allhertossingandturning,however,hadmade
herhotandaggravatedanyway,andshehaddevelopedquiteathirst.Shewouldhavetomakeherway
throughthestrangehousetofindadrinkifshewastoevergetsomesleep.

Thewoodenflooronthesolesofherfeetgaveinstantrelief.Sheinchedopenthethickcurtainstolet

inalittlelightsoshecouldnavigateherwayaroundtheunknownroom.Eventhoughtheyhadplentyof
time after lunch, their discussion had revolved around the French woman and their future plans. All of
whichseemedfartoovagueandfrustratingtoher.Butshehadyettoproperlylookaroundtheproperty.

Smallerthanherownhousebutstillgrandandelegant,itcontainedfourbedroomsplusroomsforthe

servants.Joycewasupstairstokeepupthepretense.Shesaidshepreferredthesimplerroomsanyway.

Easingopenthedoor,shesteppedout,keepingherdoorajarsoshecouldreturneasilyifherhands

werefull.Shemightaswellseeiftherewassomefoodtobehadtoo.Herstomachgrumbledalittleafter
beingunabletofinishherdinner.JoycehadcookedafinesupperbuteatingoppositeNathanielleftalotto
be desired. Not that he had terrible manners or anything of the like, but it was disconcerting eating

oppositeamanofhislooksanddemeanor.

Patiencecreptdownstairs,regrettingthatshehadnotstoppedtograbacandlefromherbedside.Each

darklyshadowedcornerofferedsomenewdanger.Atabletoknockintooravaseoranumbrellaholder.
Her smallest toe seemed to find and connect with every one of them, leaving her cursing aloud as she
madeherwaythroughthehousetothekitchen.

Shefoundthestonestepsthatleddowntotheroomandhissed.Thestonemightaswellhavebeen

made from ice blocks. She should have slung something on over the man’s shirt she habitually wore to
bed.

Ahandtotherailing,sheascendedthestepswithcautionuntilshereachedthebottom.Thestoneslabs

of the kitchen floor were no warmer or kinder but at least she could no longer complain of being hot.
Perhapsonceshereturnedtobedthestrangesheetswouldfeelwarmandcomforting.

Thekitchenwindowswerehighintheceiling.Theywouldjustpeekoutatthebottomofthebuilding

toletinwhatlighttherewastobehad.Haditnotbeenforalonecandle,restinguponthelongwooden
tableinthecenteroftheroom,shewouldlikelybestumblingaroundblind.Shepausedandlistenedfora
moment.Wassomeoneelseup?Theyhadtobetohaveleftalitcandle,surely?Yetshecouldnotseenor
hearanyone.Perhapstheyhadgonetobedandleftthecandleburning.Itwasdowntoamereslitherof
wax,afterall.

Shepickedupthecandleholderbyitscurvedhandleandshrugged.Atleastshewouldnolongerbe

stumblingaroundandstrikingeverythingwithherpoor,abusedtoe.

“That’smine,”cameadeepvoice.
Patience screamed and whirled. Or perhaps she whirled and screamed. Either way, she reacted so

quicklyshehardlyhadtimetoregisterthefaceattachedtothevoicebeforesheflungthecandleandits
metalholderattheintruder.Therewasahissofpainfromthemanandaloudcurse.Patiencewhipped
aroundthetableonlyforhertoetostrikeoneofthetablelegs.Sheyelpedandnearlytoppledtothefloor.

Shewouldhavetoo,haditnotbeenforthegripofaman’shanduponherarm.Shescreechedagain

andbroughtbackherfist.Hegrabbeditbeforeshecoulddoanythingwithit.

“Damnit,Patience,howmanyothermendoyouthinkareinthishouse?”
Shestruggledagain,evenwhileherbrainbegantoregistertherealityofwhowasinthenowpitch-

dark room with her. He gripped her tighter, hauling her close so that she was pressed against his body.
While it might have taken her a while to understand this was Nathaniel, it did not take her long to
recognize the lack of fabric between them. When her chest struck his, she was certain but a scrap
separated them. Her hand came to his chest in an attempt to steady herself and she discovered she was
right.Hewaseitherentirelynakedoronlywearingsomebriefsorbreeches.

Patienceclosedhereyes.“Pleasedonotbenaked,pleasedonotbenaked,”shewhispered.
Nathanielchuckled.“Iamnot.”
Sheopenedhereyesagainandsighed.“Whatwereyoudoing?Icouldhavehurtyou.”Nowthather

eyeshadadjustedtothedark,shecouldmakeouthisprofileandthelightfromtheupperwindowscaught
inhiseyes.

“Toolate.”
“But—”
“Hotcandlewaxisnotthemostpleasantofgreetings.”
“Youshouldnothavebeensneakingaround.Ihadtodefendmyself.”
“Iwasnotsneaking.Youweresneaking.”
“Imostcertainlywasnot.”
“Whatelsewouldyoucalltiptoeingaroundbarefoot?”
“Iwasmerelylookingforadrinkandtryingnottowakeeveryone.”
Shesawthatarrogantsmileslipacrosshislipsandsettlecomfortablyinplace.“Whatacoincidence,

sowasI.Strugglingtosleep?”

“Yes,”sheconfessed.“Iamseldomawayfromhome.AndifIdotravel,itistostaywithmycousins

inDevon.I’munusedtostrangesurroundings.”

“Well,Iamquiteusedtosleepinginotherbeds—”
“Ibetyouare,”shemuttered.
Heignoredhercomment.“Butitnevergetseasier.”
Therevelationstartledher,nomatterhowsmall.Howwasitthisman—wholikelydidspendmanya

nightinthestrangebedsofhisfemalecompanions—couldnotsettleatnightinanywhereotherthanhis
ownbed?Shewouldhaveexpectedhimtofeelsosecure,socomfortablewhereverhewasthathewould
havenoconcernsaboutfallingasleep.Didhetootossandturnatnightandworryovermattersofwhich
hecouldhavenocontrol?TheideaofLordNathanielKingsleyactingatallhumanhadherspeechless.

“Shallweseeifwecanfindanothercandle?”hesuggested.“JustincaseyouforgetwhoIamagain

anddecidetopunchmeoncemore.”

“Ididnotpunchyou.”
“Youweregoingto.”Hereleasedherandonlythendidsherealizeshehadbecomeaccustomedtohis

bodyclosetohersandthewaythestrengthandwarmthofhimmadeherfeelcomforted.

Comforted! Preposterous. This was a man who would take advantage of any situation. Why, if she

weresomebeautifulwidowwithanelegantfigure,hewouldnotbereleasinghersoquickly.Sheknew
enoughofhisreputationtounderstandthatmuch.

Hegrippedherhand,though,toguideheraroundthekitchenastheyplayedasortofblindhideand

seek.

“Here,candles,candles,candles,”shewhispered,unabletoresist.
“Ihavemysuspicionstheydonotcomewhencalled.”Sheheardtherattleofsomethingashefumbled

inoneofthedrawers.

“Itwasworthatry.”
Notthinkingaboutherhandtuckedinhiswasalsoworthatry.
She did try. And failed. Over and over until he finally declared he had found some candles. He

released her hand to light them and recovered the discarded candle holder, then used it to light a few
scatteredaboutthekitchen.Itwasnotenoughtolightthewholeroombuttheycreatedanamberglowthat
ensured neither of them would be smacking into kitchen tables or throwing punches at other household
guests.

Shebenttoinspectherstillthrobbingtoethenstraightened.“Idonotsuppose—”
Patiencefrozewhensheconsideredhiseyes.Onebrowwasraised,hisbodywasstiffandunmoving.

The only part of him that did move was his gaze, which darted down to her feet, up her legs, over her
chestbeforestartingthemovementagain.

Fiery heat flared in her cheeks when she finally realized quite why he was acting so bizarrely. Her

attirewasofcoursenotthenormforawomanofherageandbreeding.Or,well,anywomanreally.The
fact was she found chemises too constricting. The fabric always tangled around her legs and the high
necksmadeherfeelasthoughshewasbeingstrangled.Afterdecidingherbrothers’shirtslookedmuch
better,hermotherhadgivenupandstartedgivingherallherbrothers’oldclothes.Atleastshewasnot
wanderingaroundnaked,washermother’sconclusion.

Patience coughed but Nathaniel did not get the hint. She tried again, and he eventually snapped his

gazeuptoherface.

“Youwearmen’sshirtsatnight?”
Shenodded.
“Men’sshirts?”
“Asyoucansee.”

Heshookhisheadandchuckledtohimself.“Ofcourseyoudo.”

ChapterSeven

“I hastentoadd,”Patiencesaid,fartoomatter-of-factlyforawomanwhowaspracticallynaked,“that
thisisnotthefirsttimeyouhaveseenmeinaman’sshirt.”

“Norwillitbethelast,I’msure,”Natedrawled.“ButIhaveneverseenyouinonlyaman’sshirt.”
Andwhatasighttobeholditwas.
He’dbeenawarethatPatiencehadsomeredeemingqualities.Twotobeprecise.Thewaythecotton

carefullycaressedherbreastsanddrewhisattentionhadhimwonderingifhe’dbeenspendingtoomuch
timewiththebreast-obsessedDrake.Hewasnormallyanarseman.

NotwhenitcametoPatienceitseemed.Butitwasnotonlyherbreaststhatdrewhisattention.Her

legsweresurprisinglylongforashortwoman.Thoughnotslender,theywerestrongandcapable-looking.
Justthesortoflegsperfectforwhenthewomanwasont—

“Stopstaring,”shehissed.
“You’restaringtoo.”
Hehadonlyjustnoticed.Afterall,he’dbeenfartoobusyleeringattheunexpecteddelightsthathad

been hiding under those baggy masculine clothes. Why did she hide herself? No doubt she considered
herself free, unconstrained by womanly garments, but he suspected it was more to do with disguising
herselfthananything,whethershewasawareofthatornot.

Butshewasstaring,andshecertainlywasnothidingit.Hergazeranoverhimlikethatofaravenous

wolf.Sheshouldhavelickedherlipstofinishoffthepicture.Asitwas,hertopteethcamedowntobite
uponherplumpbottomlip.Heneargroaned.

“Iamnotstaring,”shesaid,hervoicearaspywhisper.
Shewas.Still.Nateliftedhischinatadandstraightenedhisshoulders.Hewasnostrangertofemale

admirationbut,hehadtoconfess,Patienceadmiringhimdidmoreforhispridethanonehundredlooks
fromsocietyladies.Giventhatsheloathedtheveryairhebreathed,itwasquiteanachievement.

Nate took a step closer. A little experiment just to see. She did not move, instead seeming to sway

slightlyintohim.

“Youstubbedyourtoe?”heasked,keepinghisvoicelow.
Oh,shewasfartoomuchfuntotoywith.And,ofcourse,thatwaswhatitwas.Agame.Whatelse

couldlifebeforasecondson?Noresponsibilities,noheirstobear,nofuturesetforthforhim.Hadhe
beenabletojointhemilitaryperhapsitwouldhavebeendifferentbuthewouldnotdwellonthatfact.He
wouldonlyplaysofar,ofcourse.Theyhadamissiontodoandwhileheenjoyedteasingher,hedidnot
touch virgins. Unless they begged and there was little chance of recourse, naturally. But he doubted
Patiencewouldeverbeg.

“Pardon?”sheasked,hergazeremaininglatcheduponhischest.
“Youstubbedyourtoe?”
Shenodded,herteethstilldiggingintothatlipdelightfullyandmakinghimwanttopullitbetweenhis

ownteethandsuckatituntilitwasevenmoreplumpandred.

Nate put his hands to her waist and heard that satisfying inhalation of surprise. She stiffened but he

hadlittletroubleliftingthesmallwomanontothetable.

“Whichfoot?”
Shepeeredathimasifhewasspeakinginaforeignlanguage.

“ParlezvousAnglais?Whichfoot?”
“Theleft.”
Hetookherfootinhishandandeyedthetoeinthecandlelight.
“Whatareyou—”
Apparently,thefighthadreturned.Shetriedtowriggleherfootawayfromhimbuthekepthisgrip

tightaroundherankle.

“Nathaniel,putmedown.”
Alas,theeffectofhisbarechesthadnotlastedaslongashehadhoped.Hadshecontinuedtobeso

malleableitwouldhavebeeneasytohavethismissioncompletedswiftly.Hewouldhavetotryharder
next time. He smirked at the idea of walking around naked simply to ensure he did not get completely
dominatedbythiswoman.

“Itisnotfunny,”shehissed.
“Iwasnotlaughingatyou,”heassuredher.“Nowkeepstillandletmeseeyourtoe.Youmighthave

brokenit.”

“Itisfine,”sheinsisted,givingonelastwrigglebeforelettinghimmanipulatehertoes.
Delicatefeet,slenderankles,andmuscledcalvesmeanthehadahardtimeconcentratingonhertoes.

Theshadowsbetweenherlegsbeckoned.Hewaswillingtobettherewerenomen’sbriefsonunderthat
shirt.Christ,ifhewasnotcareful,anycontrolhethoughthehadwouldbegone.Hegrittedhisteethand
eyedherfoot.

“Seemsfine.”
“Itoldyouitwas.”Shekickedoutathimthenjerkedherfootbackbeforehopingoffthetable.“You,

ontheotherhand...”

“Me?”
Sheputafingertohischestandtoreoffalumpofwaxthathadcoveredhispersonduringherattack.
“Ouch.”
“Baby,”sheteased.
Heeyedhischesttoseethenowsolidwaxhadleftaredmark.Itwouldbegonebymorningbutthat

didnotmeanitfeltparticularlypleasanttohaveittornoff.Shepickedatanotherwaxsplodge.

“Youwouldmakeaterriblenurse.”
“Ihavelittleintentionofnursingyou.”Sheviciously,anddeliberately,torethebiggestpieceofwax

fromhisarm.

“GoodGod,woman.Ithinkyoutookhalfofmyhairwithit.”
“Probably.”Hersmilewasfartooself-satisfied.
“Witch.”
“Mymothersayswitcheswereuniqueandpowerfulwomen,whoweremerelymisunderstood.”
“PerhapsIdidnotmeanitasaninsult.”
Shegaveahalf-smile.“Idoubtthat.”
“Youhavemepeggedasquiteungentlemanly,doyounot?”
An eyebrow arched. He had to admit, he quite liked the way the candlelight brushed across her

smoothskin.Hisfingerstwitchedwithanurgetostrokehercheekthenperhapstracealinedowntoher
neck,theninbetween—

“Notungentlemanly—andIcouldhardlycomplainifyouwere,asIamnotexactlyalady—butyou

didtellyourbrotherwewereengagedwithoutmyconsent.Hardlythebehaviorofagallantman.”

“My brother is too wrapped up in his own engagement to worry about my fictional one. And I

disagreewithyounotbeingalady.”

Sheblinkedathimseveraltimes.“Youwouldbethefirstthen.”Sheflickedanotherbitofwaxoffhis

shoulder.“AndIamfairlycertainyourbrotherworriesaboutyouregardlessofhisownmaritalstate.”

Nateshrugged.“Perhaps.ButIdonotneedhimto.I’msureyoucanwellunderstandhowfrustratingit

canbehavingabrotherwatchingyoureverymove.Youhavethreeafterall.”

She shook her head. “They’re all too busy to watch my every move or even pay attention to me. I

wouldbegratefulforabrotherlikeyours,Nathaniel.”

He heard the wistfulness in her voice. It seemed odd to him that her brothers were not more

protective. If he had a younger sister, he’d likely not let her out of his sight, particularly with men like
himselfaround.Nomatterhowcontradictorythatwas.

“Redisagoodman.BetterthanItobesure.”
“Ahardexampletofollow.”
“Precisely.”Hegrinned.“WhichiswhyIcarvemyownpath.”
“Spokenlikeaman.”
Helethisgrinexpand.“Incaseyouhadnotnoticed,littleone,Iamaman.”
“It is just so very easy for men to speak of their own paths. There are no such paths for women to

follow.”Shefoldedherarms.“AndIhaveaname.”

“Yesbutlittleonesuitsyousowell.”
“Iamnotachild.”
“Meinekleinefräulein,then.”
“No!”
“Mapetitemademoiselle?”
“Certainlynot.Whatisyourobsessionwithotherlanguages?”
Heshrugged.“Mostwomenfinditcharming.”
“Notme.”
“Little one it is then.” He glanced around the kitchen and found the pitcher of lemonade he had

discoveredinthelarderwhilstlookingforadrink.“Didyoucomehereforfood?Ordrink?”

Patience huffed. There was no arguing with him. “Both ideally. I found myself quite hungry after

dinner.Thetravellingmusthavewhettedmyappetite.”

Natetriednottoconsideranyappetitesthatwerebeingwhettedatpresent.Hepouredalemonadeand

setdowntheplatterofcheesehehadfoundonthetable.Theybothsat,takingachairnexttooneanother.
IfNatethoughthardaboutit,he’dfindhelikedthequietcompanionshipthathadsettledoverthembuthe
reallydidnotwishtobethinkingofsomethingdulllikecompanionshipforthemoment.

“Canyoucook?”sheasked,takingachunkofcheeseandtakingabitfromit.
“DoIlooklikeIcan?”
“No.”
“Andyou?”
“Notreally.IbakedafewcakeswiththecookwhenIwasyoungerbutIthinkmyfathercomplained

aboutthesmell.”

Hescowled.“Thesmellofcakes?”
Patiencegavealittlelaugh.“Yes,cakesofallthings.Ithinkhewasnothappyunlesshecouldsmell

gunpowderoroilallthetime.”

“Iimagineit’sahardadjustmentnolongerlivingthemilitarylife.”
Shenodded.“Ohyes.IwastooyoungtorememberofcoursebutmybrotherHarrysayshemissedthe

armysorely.”

“I had pictured the same for myself once, but of course,” he motioned to his glasses, “these do not

muchhelp.”

“Icannotimagineyouenjoyingthedisciplineofthearmy.”
“Well,itwasnotsomuchthedisciplineIwantedbuttheadventure.There’smuchtobesaidforoneto

haveagoalinmind,sothemilitaryseemedperfect.Youareforeverbeinggivenanewgoal.”

“Yes,thatalwaysappealedtometoo.”
Hepeeredather.“Youenvyyourfatherandbrothersforgoingofftowar?”
“WhywouldInot?Theyareaffordedtheultimateopportunitytoprotecttheircountry.WhatcanIdo?

Stayathomeandraisemorale?IthinkwehaveenoughfinerladiesthanItodosuchthings.”

“Youforgetthemainriskofwar,whichis,well,dying.Idonotthinkyourfamilywouldbetoohappy

aboutthat.”

“Myfamilyliveandbreathethemilitary.Withtheexceptionofmymother.Shetendstodoherown

thingandignoreitallwhenshecan.Ithinksometimesit’stoomuchforhertodealwith—allhersonsoff
fightingbattlesandsuch.Butmyfatherandhisfatherandevenmyuncleshavedonenothingbutserve.”

“Andhereyouare,unabletofollowintheirfootsteps.”
“I am not so foolish to romanticize war, Nathaniel.” She took a long sip of lemonade and he found

himself distracted by the arch of her neck while she drank. “But it always makes me wish I was doing
something.”

“Nowyouare.”
“Yes,asareyou.ButIstilldonotneedyourhelp,regardlessofwhatyousay.”
Nathanielgaveadramaticsigh.“AndhereIthoughtwewerefinallycomingtoanunderstanding.”
She peered at him with an odd sort of smile. “I do not think we will ever understand each other,

Nathaniel.”

“Nate,”hecorrected.
“Nate,” she said, albeit with a little uncertainty. “You are a wealthy second son with all the

advantagestheworldcanofferyou.Iamasupposedlygentlybredwomanwhoseonlygoalinlifeisto
findahusband.YoucanimaginehowmanyoffersIhavehadsofar.”

Hedidnotprotest.Patiencewouldhaveareasonabledowrybutshehadnoconnectionsandthemere

factsheworemen’sclotheswouldputoffapotentialhusbandinaninstant.

“NotthatIeverwantany,anyway.Iwouldratherdiealonethanmarry.”
“Comenow,wearenotallsoterrible.”
Sheliftedherchin.“Ihaveyettomeetamanwhocanconvincemeotherwise.”
Natewonderedifheshouldconsiderthatachallengebuthestronglysuspectedhewasnotthemanto

doso.Hecouldtellherthathewasnotsimplysittingaroundandtwiddlinghisthumbswhilemendiedat
warbutfirstly,itwastooriskytotellanyoneelseabouttheirsmugglingantics,andsecondly,hecouldnot
quitedecideifsuchinformationwouldraisehimupinhereyesorlowerhim,consideringherprobably
rule-boundmilitarybackground.Bettertoremainquietandletherthinkwhatevershewantedofhim.In
themeantime,hewouldtrytokeephisattentionfromherbreastsandthosestronglegsandfocusonthe
missionathand.

Heglancedathercleavage.
Hewould.Definitely.

ChapterEight

“Youshallwearaholeinthecarpet.”

PatiencegloweredatNate.Itwaswellenoughforhim—hewasusedtosittingaroundwithnothingto

occupyhim.Nother,though.Ifshewasnotoutridingorshootingorgoingtotown,shewascleaningthe
houseorhelpingMamaorganizeherpaints.Shehadneverspentsolongwithsolittletodo.

“Sheshouldhavearrivedbynow.Shemustknow.”
“MadamePaulinemaywellbedelayed.”
Sheshookherheadvigorouslyandpeeredoutofthewindowofthedrawingroom.Peoplecameand

wentbelowthem,likelittlefigurinesdartingbetweenthebuildingsofthetown.Buttherewasnosignof
thisFrenchwoman.

“Wecannotsitaroundforever.Whatifsheneverarrives?Whatifshe’sheardthatMr.andMrs.Smith

aregone?Ifsheisasmartwoman,sheshallknowwearenotthem.”

“Ifsheisasmartwoman.”
“Youthinksheisnot?”
Heloweredthepaperhewasholding.“IcertainlywouldnotchoosetogetinvolvedwithNapoleon

wereIabeautiful,marriedlady.”

Patiencefixedhimwithaglare.“Youassumeshehadachoice.Perhapsthesmartdecisionwastobe

involvedwithhim.”

Natehuffed.“Regardlessofwhethersheisasmartwomanornot,wecandolittleelsebutwait.”
“Inthemeantime,shemightbefleeingtoLondon.”
Heshookhishead.“Weknowsheknowsnooneelse.Wherewouldshego?Sheislikelypenniless

andutterlyalone.Fromthoseletters,itwasclearshewishedtoseehercousin.”Hegrinnedasshebegan
pacingagainandthrustthepaperather.“Here,readthis.Youcannotpaceandreadatthesametime.”

“I’minnomoodforreading,”shesnapped.
Heshruggedandtuckedhimselfbackbehindhispaper.
Withahuff,Patiencestompedoutoftheroom.Lethimsitandread,andbedull.Shewasnotwilling

to do the same. After two days of sitting around and waiting, she was ready to tear down the walls.
EspeciallywhenitmeantbeingconfinedinahousewithNathanielKingsley.Therewassomethingabout
thatmanthatmadeherwanttosimultaneouslyswipethatsmugsmirkoffhisfaceandthensitthereand
stareintohiseyesalldayandtrytounderstandwhatmadehimtick.

Which was ridiculous. In spite of their conversation on the first night, she knew there was nothing

spectacularly deep about him. Yes, he spoke of his brother and his desire to carve his own path, but
honestlythemanwasdoingthatanyway.Andhewasmostlycarvingitthroughalltheeligibleladiesin
Cornwall.

No, there were no secrets to be revealed about Nate. He was what he seemed—an arrogant,

flirtatious,shamelessrogue.Shewouldlearnnothingmorefrombeinginhispresence.

PatiencestrodethroughthehouseanddownthestepstothekitchenwhereJoycehaddisappearedlater

thatday.Theacridscentofsomethingburningmadeherwrinklehernose.Assheenteredthekitchen,she
winced.Alayerofsmokehunghighupintheceilingandthestenchgrewworse.

Joycespunuponhearingherfootsteps.Strandsofdarkhairstuckoutatallanglesfromunderneatha

whitecapandsweatbeadedherbrow.Therewerestreaksoforangeandblackonherapronandafew

smudgesofblackonherface.Theevidenceofthisdisasterwasscatteredacrossthekitchenintheformof
copperpansonthestove,somerevealingsingedremainsofwhatwasperhapsoncefood,whileflourwas
dustedacrossthetable.

“Youcaughtme,”Joycesaid,swipingherhandsonherapron.
Patiencescoopedupsomeofthepotsandplacedthemintothesinkbeforegrabbingacloth,wettingit

andwringingitout.Shebeganwipingdownthetable.

“Ican’tcook,”Patiencesaid,“butIcanclean.”
Joycegrabbedaclothtohelpwiththetable.“It’sseemstobeoneofthosedays.Everythinghasgone

wrong.”

“Mistakeshappen,”Patiencesaidsoftly,notingtherealdistressinJoyce’sface.
“Icannotrecalleverburninganythingbefore.Idonotknowwhat’swrongwithme.”
Patience rinsed out the cloth and gave the table another wipe until all the debris was gone and the

surfacegleamed.Shestartedworkononeofthepotsandgrimacedatthecharredremnantsoffoodthat
wasnowgluedtothebottomofit.

“Ifyoushowme,Icanhelpifyouwouldlike.Icoulddowithsomethingtokeepmeoccupied.”
Joycesmiled.“Somehelpwouldbewonderful.I’mthesame,Icannotstaystillforlong.”
“UnlikeNate.Heseemstohavenoproblemsittingaround.”
“LordNathanieldoesnotstrikemeasamanwholazesaround.”
“Heisdoingafinejobofitupthere.”Patiencethrustafingertowardtheceiling.
“Youdonotthinkmuchofhimdoyou.”
Patiencefrowned.Thatmadehersoundsocondescending.ReallyNatehaddonelittletooffendherif

oneignoredtheratherlewdcomments.Hismainfaultwashavingagreedtohelpherbrotherandasmuch
asshewantedtodothisalone,shecouldnotblameamanforwishingtohelpafriend.

“Idonotknowhimthatwell,”Patienceexplained.“Wehavelivedinthesamevillageallourlives

butwe’veneverhadoccasiontogettoknowoneanother.”

“Well,nowisyourchance.”
Patienceblewastrandofhairfromherfaceandscrubbedfuriouslyatthepot.Flakesofburnedfood

coatedherhandsinasatisfyingwayasshedefeatedthegrime.Gettoknowhim?ShewishedJoycehad
notpoppedthatideabackintoherhead.Hadshenotalreadydismissedtryingtounderstandthedepthsof
NathanielKingsley?

“Doyouthinkwearedoingtherightthing?SittingandwaitingforPauline?”sheaskedafterJoycehad

finishedputtingawaythecleanutensils.

Joycelaughed.“I’mnotthepersontoask.”
“YoulikelyhavemoreexperiencethanIdointhesemattersifyoukeephouseforgovernmentofficials

andsuchlike.”

“Itrytostayoutoftheway.I’mhappiercookingthanIamgettinginvolvedingovernmentalaffairs.

AslongasIcankeepeveryonewell-fed,Iamhappy.”

Patienceenviedthewomaninmanyways.Tobesocontentwithone’slotinlifewouldbepleasant

indeed.

“Icannotstaysittingaroundformuchlonger,”Patiencedeclaredasshedriedapotandputitaway.

“Weshouldbeoutfindingher!”

“Theyarenotyourorders.”
“Ourordersaretogettheinformationshehas.Noonesaidwehadtoposeasthesecousins,merely

thatitwasthesimplestway.Well,frankly,Ithinkit’sdaft.”

Joycetiltedherhead.“Whatdoyouintendtodo?”
“AbeautifulFrenchwomanwillsurelydrawattention.Someonewillknowsomethingofher.”
“Ifyouaskquestions,youcoulddrawunwarrantedattentionherway.”

“Icanbesubtle,”Patienceinsisted.
Joyceliftedashoulder.“Itisnotmyplacetotellyouwhattodo,mydear.”
Patiencegrinned.“Youwillnotstopme?”
“Stopyoufromwhat?”Joycebattedherlashesather.
Resistingthedesiretogivethewomanabigpeckonthecheek,Patiencerinsedoffherfilthyhands.“I

shallhelpwithdinnerbutonceitgetsdark,Iintendtogoout.YoucantellNateIaminmyroomwitha
headache.”

“Youwillnotbetakinghimwithyou?”
“Idon’tneedamangettinginmyway.”
Joyceshookherheadandsmiled.“Theydohavetheiruses,youknow.”
“Notthatman,”Patiencedeclared.“Heisentirelyuseless.”

ChapterNine

Dinner had been a less ambitious affair of stew followed by custard in the end. It was hardly French
cuisinebutatleastPatience’sstomachwasnotrumblingand,ifshewashonest,afterseeingthedisasterin
thekitchen,shehadlittleappetiteforsomethingcooked.

Shepausedonceshehadslippedpastthehouseandaroundthecornertotuckherhairintoafloppy,

slightlyworncap.Ithadbelongedtoherbrotheryearsago,butgivenhersize,itstillfither.Thebindings
around her breasts made breathing difficult but it was necessary. As Nate had so rudely and
inappropriatelypointedout,shewasratherwellendowed.Ifshewastoremaininconspicuous,itwasfar
easier to be an urchin boy than a woman in breeches. Thankfully the jacket she wore covered what the
bindingscouldnotquitedisguise.Shechuckledtoherself.Therewasonlysofaronecouldcrushone’s
breasts.

She made her way down the street toward the first inn she could find. Though she had visited

Falmouthbefore,shecouldnotclaimtoknowherwayaround,sosheforcedherselftorememberevery
turnshetooksoshecouldfindherwaybacktothehousewithease.

A chill wrapped about her, eating under the thin, battered jacket. A lamplighter worked ahead,

climbing his ladder and lighting the way for her. There were still people on the streets but most of the
well-to-do were at home, safely tucked in warm homes. A few bundles of fabric huddled into corners
turnedouttobehomelesspeoplewithnowhereelsetogo.Patienceshuddered,gratefulshehadahouseto
returnto.

Theamberglowseepingfromcloudedwindowsinvitedherin.Thepubwascrowded,mostlywith

men. A few women of loose morals clung to the necks of relatively well-dressed gentleman. A hoppy
aromaimbuedtheair.

Noonepaidheranyattention.Shesuckedinabreathandinchedherwaypastsomemenplayingan

intensegameofcards.Scatteredgoodswerebeinggambledawayincludingpocketwatches,aring,and
evenasetofteeth.Patiencewrinkledhernoseandmadeherwaytothebusiestpartoftheroom.

Pressedupagainstthewall,sheobservedthescenebeforeher.Shehadbeentomanytravellinginns

butneverapublikethis.Nowthatshehadthechancetostopandthinkaboutit,shewasnotquitethat
sure how she was to find out about this woman. None of the men looked at all approachable and most
weredeepintotheircups.Perhapsifshesimplywaitedandlistened,shemightfindsomethingout,though
thedinoflaughterandmasculinegossipthatechoedthroughthebuildingmadeitquitehardtodistinguish
anythingofimportance.

Shewaiteduntilherfeetandbackbegantoache,andafewpeopleglancedherwaybeforemoving

on. Patience continued this routine—visiting an inn, waiting around, hoping to spy someone who might
lookFrenchorhopingforsometidbitofinformation.Atthefourthpub,hereffortsfinallypaidoff.Alady
ofthenightcomplainedaboutsomeonewithaFrenchaccentbutthewordsweremuffledbyaloudbellow
oflaughter.

Swingingaglanceatthewomen,Patiencedebatedhowtoapproachthemandfindoutmore.Sheneed

nothaveworried.Adark-hairedwomanapproached,herdresslowonherbreastsandlargeamountsof
makeupon.Patiencestiffened.

“Youlooklonely,”thewomansaid,hervoicealow,huskytone.
“I-I’mfine,thankyou.”

“Youhavenodrinkorcompany.I’veseenyoulookingmyway.”
Patienceshookherheadatthewoman.Herdresswasadeeppurpleandfrayedaroundthearms.A

simplecombheldherhairbackwhilecurlsspiraledhaphazardlyaroundherface.Therewasnodoubting
whatshewas,evenifshehadnotspokentoPatience.

“I’m Rose,” she said. “If you’re looking for your first experience, I can give it to you. Many of the

menherewilltellyouIamthebest.”Shegrinned.“AndI’mcheap.”

She shook her head again. “No, I don’t need…that is…I am not here for my first experience.” She

pausedandtookabreath.“IwasactuallylookingforaFrenchwoman.”

Rose scowled and pursed her lips. “Why the devil would you want a French woman? Are English

womennotgoodenoughforyou?Aren’tyouapatriot?”

Patience had to bite back a laugh. If bedding English whores was the only thing that made one a

patriot,sheknewmanypeoplewhowerenot.

“Ihavecoin,”sheoffered,“ifyoucantellmeofanyFrenchwomen.”
Thewoman’sscowlsoftened.“YoureallyfancyyourselfaFrenchbitofquim,eh?”
Certain she was pale as a ghost at the unsavory language, Patience dug out three shillings from her

jacketpocketandhandedittoher.“Whatdoyouknow?”

Rosestuffedthecoinsintohercleavage.Patiencetriednottothinkabouthowmanyothercoinsshe

might have there and how on earth she kept them safe. Surely when she undressed, coins would scatter
everywhere?Thesewerelifeproblemsthatshehadneverhadtoconsiderbefore,forcertain.

“Well,therearenoFrenchwomenheretobesure.”
“That’sallyouknow?”
Thewomansmiledandleanedin.“Youshallcostmebusinesstonight,boy.IfitlookslikeIcan’teven

swayavirginladintobed,whatdoesthatsayaboutme?”

“Howaboutwestepoutsideandyoucanwaitsometimebeforereturning?TheneveryoneshallthinkI

tookupyouroffer.”

Shetappedaglovedfingertoherlips,thennodded.TakingPatience’shand,sheledheroutthrough

thefrontdoorandontothestreet.Thesidesofthebuildingwereshadowedsotheystoppedthere.

“Howoldareyou?”Roseasked.
“Itdoesn’tmatter.”
“Your hands are small,” she said. “You’re a bit young for a Frenchie I think. You really would be

betteroffwithanEnglishwoman.”

“Rose,canyoutellmeaboutanyFrenchwomenlocally?”
“I heard there was one by the docks. I don’t know if she was actually a whore but it was said she

baggedherselfarichfella.”Shehuffed.“HowcomeaFrenchwomancangetherselfarichmanjustlike
that?”Sheclickedherfingers.“I’mbeautiful,andnotdaftintheheadunlikesomewomen.Howcomeyou
allwantbloodyFrenchwomen?Thereshouldbesomekindoflawthatsaystheycan’tcomehere.”

Patiencehardlyknewwhattosay.IfthiswasindeedtheirFrenchwoman,theyhadalead.Shealmost

wantedtokissthewomanbutcertainlydidnotwanttogiveherthewrongidea.

Roseeyedher.“Sureyoudon’twantaquickfumble?You’vepaidmeoverwhatIchargeanyway.”
Patienceshookherheadvigorously.
“I’dbegentle,youknow?IfyouthinkI’dberough,you’rewrong.Besuretotellyourfriendsthat.”

ThewomanpressedherselfupagainstPatienceandleanedin.“Icanbevery,verygentle,”shemurmured.

Panicflaredinsideher.Sheglancedaroundforanexitasthiswoman—whowasatleasthalfafoot

tallerthanher,loomedoverher,lipspursed.

Abruptly the woman whirled away. Patience let out a breath but her relief did not last long. In the

place of Rose was a bear of a man, his meaty fists curled. Hair sprouted from underneath his shirt and
covered the backs of his palms. Patience could practically hear his heavy breaths as he pushed Rose

behindhim.

“Tryingtogetacheaptup,eh?”
Patienceshookherhead.
“AlldealswithRosegothroughme,”themansaidthroughgrittedteeth.
Ashesteppedcloser,thescentofhisbreathmadePatiencewince.Stalealcoholandchewingtobacco

practicallysingedhereyes.Awirydarkbeadcoveredhisjawandhesportedafullheadofhair,wildand
untamed.EverythingaboutthismanscreamedvillainandsomehowPatiencehadannoyedhim.

“Sir,”sheheldupherhands,“Ihadlittleintentionof—”
“Liar,”themanroared.
Acrowdofpeoplehadbeguntogatheroutside,eagertoseewhatthismountainousmancoulddoto

thisyounglad.Crushherinhalf,nodoubt.ThatwouldprobablypleaseNate.Atleastthenhecouldclaim
toberight,thattheyshouldhavesimplystayedandwaitedfortheFrenchwomantocometothem.

Damntheman,shewouldnotlethimberight.
Patienceliftedherfists,awarehowsmallandridiculoustheylookednexttothebeardedman’s.
“Iwasn’tgoingtotupher,”Patiencesaid.Thewordtupcameoutsomeekandmildthatthecrowd

laughed.

“Youwantafight,lad?”themansneered.“DoyouhaveanyideawhoIam?”
“Um.No.”Shetriednottotrembleasshepeeredaroundandlookedforawayout.Ifshecouldjust

bargepasthim,shecouldrun.Perhaps.Ifthecrowdlether.

Or she could stay and fight and be ground to a bloody pulp. Either choice did not look particularly

survivable.Themanmadethechoiceforher.Hejoltedforwardandswungafist.Patiencedartedback
andfeltthewhooshofairashisfistskimmedpastherface.Thecrowdaroundthemlaughed.Theman’s
facereddenedevenunderthelamplight.Agrowlescapedhim,justaudibletoherovertheheavythudof
herheart.

“Sir—”shetriedagain.
Helungedoncemore,thistimeaiminghisfistforhergut.Shedodgedtooneside.Anotherpunchand

sheduckedit.Furtherenragedsoundsescapedtheman.

“Keepbloodystill!”heranted.
Patiencelickedherlips.Therewasonlysolongshecoulddodgehim.Hewasslowbutallitwould

takewasonedirecthittorenderhersenseless.Therehadtobeabetterwaytoendit.

“Leavetheboybe,”someonedeclared.
Patience scowled. She recognized that voice. As she searched for it in the crowd, the bearded man

broughtafistsidewaystoherface.Atthelastminute,shemovedbutitcaughtherhardenoughsothather
teethrattledandherearsrang.Shestaggeredback,clutchingherjaw,andfeelingasthoughithadtobeten
timesbiggerthanitshouldbe.Thebittertangofbloodswirledabouthermouth.

Thevoicefromthecrowdsteppedforward.Althoughdressedinclothesthatwereasshabbyasher

ownboy’sones,itwasnothardforhertorecognizeNate.Shestared,wide-eyed,ashesteppeduptothe
man.

“Whatdoyouwant?”herattackersneered.
“Doyounotwishtofightarealman?”
TherewasnodisguisingNate’srefinedaccent.NodoubtthemanthoughtNateaneasymark.Afterall,

inspiteofNate’smuscularbuild—whichshenowknewfartoowellthankstocatchinghimshirtlessin
thekitchen—Natewashalfthesizeofhim.

Themansmirkedandnodded.“You’realuckylad.Lookslikehe’lltakethebeatingforyou.”
Fistsraised,bothmencircledalittle.Cradlingherface,Patiencewatchedinhorror.WhatdidNate

know of fighting except perhaps what he had learned in a boxing ring? But that was a clean fight. He
wouldhaveneverfoughtamanonthestreets.

Sheneedn’thaveworried.Whenthemanleapedforward,Natemovedtoonesideandtookholdof

hisarm.Hetwisteditbackward,holdingthewristsothatitwasangledtothepointthatoneslightmove
anditwouldsnap.Themanstiffenedandletoutayowlofpain.

“Doyouthinkperhapsyoushouldleavetheboyalone?”Nategavehiswristanothertweak.
Themanyelpedagain.“Damnit.”
“Well?”
“Yes,damnit,yes.Justletmego.”
NatereleasedhimslowlyandswungaglanceatPatience.
“Nate!”Shesawhismistakeinstantly.Heshouldneverhavelookedather.Thebearofamanleaped

onNateandheldhimbybotharms,pinninghishandsbehindhisback.

Themannoddedtoseveralmeninthecrowd.“Whofeelslikewarminguptheirfiststonight?”
No!Ohno,thiscouldnothappen.Shehadtodosomething.Onemancameforwardandrolleduphis

sleeves.Natewriggledagainsttheman’sholdbuttonoavail.

“Wait!” Patience screamed, the sound hoarse and piercing. “You cannot hurt him because…” She

scannedtheareaforsomewayoutbuttherewasnothing.“BecauseIamawoman!”Withaflourish,she
whippeduphershirt,pulleddownthebindingsandwatchedaseverymanandwoman’smouthdropped
open.

Theman’sshockgaveNateenoughtimetoescape.Patiencedroppedhershirtanddashedtohim.He

snatched her hand and pushed his way through the crowd. They dashed away until the crowd was far
behind.

Heartstillthrobbinghardagainstherribcageandasharpacheinherjaw,shefollowedNate.They

keptabriskpace,Patiencenearjoggingalongonhisheelslikeafaithfulpup,untiltheywerefarfromthe
innandnearlybacktothehouse.Heneverutteredaword.

Natestoppedabruptly.
Shestilled.“Iknow—”
Heheldupahandandeasedtheotheroneunderherjaw,liftingherfacetothelight.“You’regoingto

haveamightybruise.It’scomingupalready.”

Shenodded.
“Didyouloseanyteeth?”
Sheshookherhead.Somehow,underhistouch,thepainwasalreadyvanishing.Shestaredintoagaze

thatwasgrowingintense.Herheartpoundedharderthanithaddoneduringthefight,howeverthatwas
possible.

“Youhavealittleblood.”Hedabbedhisthumbatthecornerofherlip.
“A cut inside my lip I think. Nothing serious.” Her voice came out horribly breathy. She hoped he

didn’tthinkitwasbecauseshewasstillscared.

Andshehadbeen,butshecouldneveradmittothat.Herbrothersneverfeltfear,didthey?Notwhen

theyrodeintobattleorspiedontheenemy.Sheshouldnotfeeliteither.

Nategaveasmallsigh.“Youareshaking.”
“Alittlecold.”Damn,shedidnotwanthimseeingherfear.
“Youarelikelyalittleshocked.”Heshuckedoffhisscruffyjacketandslungitoverhershoulders.
HebeganwalkingagainandPatiencehurriedtocatchup.“Thankyou,”shesaidbreathily.“Thankyou

foryourhelp.”

“YouwereluckyIturnedupontime.”
“Yes,”sheadmitted.
“Youmovequickly.”
Atinybubbleofprideswelledandalmostabsorbedthefrustrationandhumiliationthatsheneededa

mantocometoherrescue.

“Ihavealwaysbeenfast.”
“Donotdothatagain,though,”heordered.
Sheshookherhead.“Iwon’t.”Oncetheyreachedthetopofthestepstothehouse,shepaused.“Nate,

wheredidyougetthoseclothes?”

“You’renottheonlyonewhocanplaydress-up,littleone.”
Shewantedtoaskmore.Where did you learn to fight like that? How did you find me? But Joyce

openedthedoor,lookingalittlesheepish,andPatienceunderstoodhowhehadtrackedherdown.

“Iamsorry,”Joycewhisperedtoherassheenteredthehallway.“He’shorriblypersuasive.”
Patiencesighed.“Don’tIknowit.”

ChapterTen

NatetriednottosmileatthememoryofPatienceduckinganddivingthatbruteasshesatoppositehimin
thebreakfastroom.Infact,thesightofalarge,purplingbruiseonherfaceshouldhavemadehimfurious.
Ifitwereanyotherwoman,perhapshewouldbe,butnotsowithPatience.Andthatwasnotbecausehe
didnotcareshehadbeenhurt,butmorebecausehehadseenwhatascrappylittlethingshewas.Hadhe
notturnedup,shemightwellhavecomeoutofitjustfine.Hehadnevermetawomanlikeher.

Breakfastconsistedofaveritablefeastcomparedtothedinnerthepreviouseveningwithmeats,eggs

and fish to be enjoyed. Joyce had confessed she had suffered a disaster in the kitchen yesterday and
Patiencehadhelped—alongwithtellinghimwherethedamnedwomanwas.Itseemedthehousekeeper
wastryingtomakeupforthelacklustermeal.NateslatheredbutterontoastwhilePatiencecoveredhers
inageneroushelpingofblackberryjam.

“Howisyourjaw?”heaskedbetweenbites.
“Tender,”sheadmitted.“Nomoresothanmypride.”
Hechuckled.“Yourpridedoesnotneedtobetender.You’requitethefighter.”
Shegiggled.“I’mnotsuretherewasmuchfightinginvolved.”
“Verywell,youareexcellentatevadingpunches.Butanypugilistwilltellyouthat’shalfthebattle

won, knowing when to dodge a punch. Were it not for you, I would probably be sporting a fine bruise
too.”

A rose redness sprung up on her cheeks. She leaned in, glancing around as though people could be

listeningin.“Ihopewecanforgetlastnight.”

“Ofcourse,”hesaid,adoptinghismostgentleman-likepose.
Shenoddedwithsatisfaction.
Good, she believed him. Because there was no way in hell he’d forget the sight of her baring her

breasts,evenifhe’donlycaughtthebriefestofglimpses.Itwasenoughtoremainembeddedinhisbrain
forlife.Patiencewassteadilyturninghimintoabreastman—ormorespecificallyaPatience’sbreasts
man.

Hepouredacupofcoffeeandleftitblack.Heneededthebitternesstokeephimawake.Afteranight

obsessingoverPatienceandherassets,hisheadwasgritty.“WhereisJoycethismorning?”

“Shemadebreakfastthenlefttosendamessagetohersister.”
“I’vebeenthinking...”
“AshaveI.”
“Youwererighttoaskaround.”
“Iknow.”Shegavehimafartoosmugsmile.“ThewomanIwasspeakingwith—theonethatnearly

hadmebeatentoapulp—saidtherewasaFrenchwomandownatthedocksandthatshehadbeenseen
withawealthyman.Ithinkit’sher.”

Natedigestedthisinformation.ItwashardforanyFrenchpersontogounnoticedinEngland,notwith

thewar.Mostwouldbesuspectedofspyingorworse.

“Thinkaboutit,Nate.She’sacleverwoman,usedtousingmentogetaheadinlife.”
“You’vemether,haveyou?”
Shegavehimasternlook.“IonlyknowwhatIwoulddoifIwasinherposition.”
Heliftedhisbrows.“Ohreally?”

“NotthatIwouldeverbecomeanemperor’smistressorthatanymanwouldwantmeasone,butyou

knowwhatImean,”sheblustered.

Thoughtemptedtotrytoflatterher,hedidn’tthinkshewouldwantflattering.Infact,hewasnotatall

sure what Patience wanted apart from to prove herself to her all-male family. It was odd indeed not to
understandhowtocharmthiswoman.Whenhadheeverstruggledtoenchantawoman?

Never.Notonce.Notevenwhenhe’dbeenayoung,scrawnymanwithabreakingvoice.
“SoyoubelieveourPaulinehastakenoffwithaman.WhygofromNapoleontoherbastardhusband

toanotherman?”

“She needs shelter, protection, time, and she would not settle for living in the slums. This is an

emperor’smistress,Nate.Sheisusedtobeingspoiled.”

“Howdowetrackthisman?”
“Isuggestwegotothedocks.Speakwithsomeoftheworkers.Perhapswecanevendiscoverwhich

shipshecameinon.”

Hetookalonggulpofcoffee.“Icannotfaultyourlogic.”
Hersmilegrewmoresmug.
Nateshookafingerather.“Donotgorunningoffonmethistime.Webothknowhowwellthatends.”
Shegaveahuff.“Iwon’tgoalone,Ipromise.”
“Youareahandful,MissPatienceGrey.”
“Andyouarehardlythefirstpersontosaythat.”
“AmIthefirsttosaythatIratherlikethatinaperson?”
“Thatthey’reahandful?”Thecolorthathadrecededsprungbackintohercheeks.
“Yes. Of course, one has to have big enough hands...” Nate shook his head as he considered quite

wherehewantedtoputhishands.“Nevermind.”

Shenarrowedhergazeathim.“Yousaidwewouldforgetaboutlastnight.”
“Absolutely.Ofcourse.Entirelyforgotten.”
Hergazenarrowedinonhimandhethrewuphishands.“Utterlyforgotten.Nooneshalleverknow.It

shallbeoursecret.”

“Howcanitbeforgottenifit’soursecret?”shedemanded.
“Well,almostforgottenthen.Burieddeepdown.Comeonnow,Patience,doyoureallyexpectmeto

entirelyforgetthatyousavedmyskinbywayofflashingalittleofyourown?”

“Yes,ifyouwereatruegentleman,youwould.”
“Patience,notruemancouldeverforgetthat,eventhemostgentlemanlyofthemall.Ifhedid,Iwould

suggesthewasdeadorinsane.”

“For goodness sakes, you act as though you have never seen...” she dropped her voice, “breasts

before.”

“Ihaveneverseenyoursbefore,”hepointedout.“AtleastIhadnot.Ihavetosay,theyliveduptoall

myexpectationsandmore.”

Shesuckedinasharpbreathandstood.“Youreallyaretheworstofmen.”
Nateliftedashoulder.“Ifthatistrue,thenwhyareyousoflattered?”
“Flattered?”shespluttered.“Flatteredbyyoumakingsuchlewdcomments?Imightnotlookmuchlike

aladybutIcertainlyneverexpectedsuchcomments.”

“Neverexpected,butcertainlyenjoyed.”
Shethrewdownhernapkin.“Youaredespicable.”
Asshestormedoutoftheroom,Nateletasmileslipacrosshisface.Hemightnotunderstandhowto

charmPatiencebutheunderstoodonething,shewasnotimmunetoflattery.Buriedunderthosemasculine
clothesandthatstompylittlewalkwasawoman—onewhowantedtobecalledbeautifulandappreciated
forhersexuality.

Nowallhehadtofigureoutwaswhyexactlyhewantedtobetheonetocallherbeautifulandmaybe

evenappreciatethatsexuality.

***

“Ifyouworeadress,wewouldnotgetsomanylooks.”

PatienceswungasidewaysglanceatNateandignoredhim.Afreshbreezetwistedthroughherhair,

ripewithseasalt.Theytookaturnthroughatightalleywaythatbroughtthemoutbetweenaninnanda
shoemakers.Thebuildingsleanedinclosetogetherandcobbles,wornfromyearsofuse,slippedbetween
them.Above,severallanternshungfromtheeavesofthebottomstory,presumablytolightwhatwouldbe
adarkalleywayatnight.

Whentheyemerged,theywereconfrontedbytheroadthatranalongthedocktobringgoodsinand

out.Althoughitwasnotafarcryfromtheirowntown,thiswasabiggeroperation.Mostofthesupplies
forCornwall’stownscameinthroughFalmouth.Thedocksweredeepenoughforshipsbiggerthaneven
Nate’s brother’s and occasionally soldiers shipped out to France from here when they wanted to be
assuredofaquick,safejourneywithoutfearofrunningintoanyFrenchfleets.

Therewerenowarshipsindocktoday,though.Severalmerchantshipswereabout,theirmastsrising

abovethe smaller fishingboats. Wagons drawnby horses and donkeyscrossed the roadthat ran all the
wayalongthedocktotheendofthetownwheretheycouldthenmaketheirwaytotheothertownsorto
beloadedontoothervehiclesorstowedinbuildings.

Patiencelookedleftandrightastheycoveredthedistancebetweenthedockedgeandthebuildings.

Amongstwhatwerelikelystoragebuildingsweremoreshopsandshecountedatleastanotherthreeinns,
nodoubtpopularwiththemencomingofftheships.Aboutthempeoplemovedwithbriskcertainty.Ithad
seemedanexcellentideatocomedownhereandfindoutmorebutnowshesawthehustleandbustleofit
all,shewasnotevensurewheretostart.

Natepausedandtookamomenttopeerupthedock.“Thatway,”hesaid,pointingtotheright.She

spottedabigmerchantship,itssailsraised,lookingasthoughitwasreadytodepartatanymoment.

“Why?”sheasked,scurryingtokeepupwithhim.
“Iknowthatship,”hesaid.
“Heworkswithyourbrother?”
Hegrinned.“Somethinglikethat.”
They made their way along the dock, avoiding the unloading and loading of goods going on about

them.

“Watchout,lad,”someoneshoutedatherasshenearlyknockedaboxoutofhishandstryingtokeep

pacewithNate.“Uh,miss,”hemumbledafterlookingather.

“See,youshouldhavewornadress.Peoplewouldnottripoveryouthen.”
“WhenyouareassmallasI—”shesuckedinabreath.Whydidthemanhavetowalksodamnably

fast?“WhenyouareassmallasI,peopletripoveryouregardlessofwhatyouwear.”

“Idoubttheywouldtripoverawell-dressedlady.”
“Idonotsuitdresses,I’mnotcomfortableindresses,andIwouldratherbetrippedoveronehundred

timesthanwearone.”

“Soyouhaveneverwornadress?”
“OfcourseIhave.Icouldhardlyattendballsinbreechesorpantaloonsnow,couldI?Why,wehave

evenattendedballstogetherwhereIhaveworndresses.But,ofcourse,Iwouldnotexpectyoutonotice.”

“No,whywouldInoticesuchashortperson?”
Sheletoutahuff,awarehewastryingtorileher.Hewassucceeding,damnhim.Whydidheloveto

teasehersomuch?

“Nate.”shecalledasshefellbehind.“Nate!”
Hepausedandtwistedonhisheel,waitinguntilshecaughtup.
“Mustyouwalksofast.”Shedrewinabreath.“AsyouhavenoticedIdonotexactlyhavethelongest

legs.”

Andheseemedtohavethelongestever.Hestrodewithuttergraceandconfidencewhileshebumbled

along,lookinglikeachildtryingtocatchuptoherfather.God,shewishedshewastaller.

Onceshehadaskedherbrotherstotrytostretchher.JacobhadgrabbedherarmswhileEdwardhad

grabbedherlegs.Theyhadpulledwithalltheirmightuntilshewasintearsandtheydeclaredtherewas
nothingtheycoulddo—shewouldalwaysbeasshortandasstubbyasamushroom.

Nateglanceddown.“It’shardtotellinbreeches.”
Shegavehimalook.“Ifyoutellmeyouwouldbeabletotellbetterinadress,Iwouldcallyoua

liar.”

“Notatall.I’msimplysayingthatthebreechesaredistracting.Thewaythey...clingtoyou.It’shardto

focusontheactuallengthofyourlegs.”

“Areyoutrulytryingtoberudeagain?”
The gall of the man! Was he making yet more comments on her figure? And why? No one had even

acknowledgedshehadabodyletalonemadesomesortoflewdcommentaboutit.Theonlytimepeople
spokeofherwastocomplainthatshewasinmen’sclothingagain.

Heshrugged.“WhatcanIsay?Icannothelpmyself.”
“Well,try,”shesnapped.
“I’llbeonmybestbehaviorfromnowon,Ipromise.”
“SomehowIsuspectyourideaofbestbehaviorandminearealittledifferent.”
“Perhaps,”headmitted,hisgrinfartoorakishandappealingforherliking.
“Nevermind,IshalltakewhatIcanget.”
They stopped outside the merchant ship. The black painted hull gleamed in the early morning light.

Theautumnsunwaslowonthehorizonandwouldremainsoformostofthedayiftheskiesremained
clear.Natestoppedoneofthemenwhowasloadingtheshipwithsupplies.Themanpeeredathimwith
suspicionthenlookedatPatience.Hetookinherappearanceandhisscowldeepened.

“Isthecaptainaboard?”
“Yes,”themansaid,hesitantly.
“Willyou request anaudience with him?My name is NateKingsley. He knowsme.” Nate gave the

manalookthatPatiencedidnotquiteunderstand.“Iknowhisbusinesswell.”

A flicker of understanding lit in the man’s eyes. “I’ll speak with captain,” he said, hastening up the

gangplankwithaboxofsupplies.

“Whatdidyoumean,youknowhisbusiness?”
Nategaveanoverlyinnocentlook.“Thesemerchantmenaresuspicioustypes.Iwassimplytellingthe

fellowthatIwasnotheretostealbusinessorcausesomemischief.”

Shescowled.“Thatwasn’tatallwhatitseemedlike,”shemuttered.
Nateignoredhercommentandthemaneventuallyreappearedandwavedthemonboard.Heledthem

downintothebowelsoftheship.Itsmelledofgreaseandsweat.Patiencehadbeenaroundshipsallher
lifeyethadneveractuallyhadtheoccasiontosteponone.Itwasascrampedasshe’dexpected.

Thecaptain’scabinwasalittlemoregenerousthanthelivingquarterstheyhadmovedthrough.With

enoughspacetofitadeskandseveralchairsaswellasabookcasewithwornbooksandleafletsfilling

itsshelves,thelargelampsandsmallportholeslititwellenough.

Thecaptainwasasmallman,thoughhestillhadseveralinchesonher.Withthindarkhair,aslender

face and boney hands, there was not a single part of him that could be called anything other than
scarecrow-like.HeofferedahandtoNate.

“LordNathaniel,whatareyoudoinginmyneckofthewoods?”
“A little bit of business and pleasure,” he said vaguely. “May I introduce Miss Patience Grey. Her

fatherwasColonelArchibaldGrey.Youmayhaveheardofhim.”

Thecaptaingaveheraglanceoverandsomehowmanagedtokeepthesurprisefromhisfacewhenhe

notedherappearance.Notthatshewasunusedtosuchlooks.Athome,thathappenedrarelybuthere,they
hadlikelyneverseenawomanwearingmen’sclothes.

“IbelieveIhave.Quitetheman.CaptainPhillipTayloratyourservice.”
“It’sapleasuretomeetyou,Captain.HowisityouknowLordNathanielhere?”
Nategaveherasharpbutnotquiteannoyedlook.Sheresistedthedesiretostickhertongueoutathim.
“HisbrotherandIhavedonebusinessonceortwice,”thecaptainsaidsmoothly.
ToosmoothlyforPatience’sliking.Somethingaboutthiswholethingwasoddbutshecouldnotsay

what.

“WhatcanIdoforyou,Nate?”
“We’relookingforawoman—aFrenchwoman.ShecameintoFalmouthpotentiallyafewweeksago.

We’vebeentryingtotrackherdownbutwithnoluck.Asourcetoldusshewasseeninthearea,maybe
solicitingforcompany.”

Thecaptainnodded.“Frenchwomenhardlygounnoticedaroundhere.”
Patiencestraightened.“Soyou’veseenher?”
Heshookhishead.“Notseen,butseveralmenweretalkingofafine,accentedwoman.Thoughshe

wouldhavenothingtodowiththem.Theysayshewasseenonthearmofawell-dressedgentlemanand
neverseenagain.Thechancesareshefoundherselfarichsponsorforthetimebeing.”

“Doyouknowanythingabouttheman?”Nateasked.
“Nothing specific but if he was spending time here, you have to assume he has a ship. The biggest

shipstocomeinherearefortheHarrisonShippingCompany.IfIwereawomaninwantofrichcompany,
theownerwouldcertainlybethesortofmanIwouldtarget.”

Nategrinned.“Ibetthat’sourman.”
Patiencenodded.“Ithinksotoo.Wehadbetterfindoutwhoitis.”
“Iwillfindoutwhoitis,youcanreturnhome.”
Eyesnarrow,sheglaredathim.“WhywouldIreturnhomeandwaitforyouwhenIcouldbeasking

questionswithyou?Youreallydothinkofmeasthelittlewife,doyounot?Ishouldbesittingathome,
waitingwithbaitedbreathforyourreturn.”

NateandthecaptainsharedalookbutPatiencecouldn’tbringherselftocare.Shewasnotgoingtobe

forcedoutofthisinvestigation.

“No,”Natesaidslowly.“ButifLordNathanielKingsleyisgoingtomakeenquiriesabouttheowner

of a business he might be interested in investing in, it would look better if he was alone and not
accompaniedbyanunmarriedwomaninbreeches.”

“Oh.”
“Yes,oh.”
PatiencedroppedhergazetoherbootsandwaitedforNatetostandbeforeshefollowedsuit.“Thank

youforyourhelp,captain,”shesaidmeekly.

TheymadetheirwayofftheshipandPatiencereluctantlymetNate’sgaze.“IsupposeIshallseeyou

atthehousethen.”

“Yes,and,littleone,donotgogettingyourselfintotroubleagain.Icoulddowithouthavingtogetinto

anymorefightsandIamsureyouwishtokeepyourselfcoveredthistime.”

“Willyouforeverbringthatup?Iwastryingtosaveyou.”
“Andwhatanadmirablejobyoudid.Ishallalwaysbe...grateful.”Hislipsquirked.
What he meant was he would always remember it. Warmth struck her face for what had to be the

hundredthtimethatday.Sheshouldbeembarrassed—shewas—butatthesametimetherewassomething
horriblyappealingabouthimthinkingofherinthatmanner.

Whatafoolshewas.Nateprobablythoughtofthousandsofwomenaday.Shewasjustoneinawhole

blurofimages.

Shetappedhisarm.“Gofindoutaboutthatgentleman.Andstopthinkingaboutyouknowwhat.”
“Ishalltry!”Hegaveherajauntygrinandtappedthebrimofhishat.
Damn that man. Damn, damn, damn, damn him. What were the chances that he was thinking of her

breastsatthisverymomentsimplytorileher?Andwhydidshehope,soverymuch,hewas?

ChapterEleven

NatehadnotexpectedtohavetowaitforPatience.Ofallthewomentobestandingaroundinthehallway
for,heneverthoughtitwouldbeher.Howhardwasittoputonadress?

AfterexpressinginterestinSirMagnusColebrook’sbusinessdealings,Natehadmanagedtoprocure

himself and a friend an invitation to one of his regular dinners. Magnus it seemed was new money—
havingrisenfromtheranksbydealingincoffee—andwouldnotturndownpatronagefromalord.Albeit
alordwithacourtesytitle.TheinvitationtodinnerhadarrivedonlyadayafterNatehadpaidavisitto
Magnus’offices.Allwasgoingwellindeed.

He tapped a foot and pulled out his pocket watch. Well, it had been going perfectly until he told

Patience she had to wear a dress. What she would say when he intended to tell people she was his
mistresshedidnotknow.Perhapsshewastakingforevertopunishhim.

There was a creak from upstairs. Then a door closing. He held his breath and waited for that first

footsteponthestairs.Hewatchedavidly.

A slippered foot appeared, leading up to a column of frothy pink. He scowled. Then he nearly

laughed.Heclampedhisteethtogether—hard.Sohardthathisjawhurt.Afterthehassleithadtakento
getPatienceintoadress,hewouldnotlaugh.He.Would.Not.Laugh.

Well,therewentallhisideasofaravishingbeautybeingunderneaththosebreeches.
Asshedescendedthestairs,sheshotdaggersathimwithhergaze.“Donotsayaword.”
“Youlook...striking,”hemanagedwithoutlaughing.“Likeabeautiful...bird.”
Verywell,thatwasnothismostcharmingofcomplimentsbutitwasbetterthansayingshelookedlike

a pink blancmange that had been dropped on the floor and scooped up into a pile. Unfortunately for
Patience, this hideous dress did her no justice. It hid her strong legs, sat awkwardly on her waist and
somehowevenmanagedtobeunflatteringtoherbreasts.Thepalerpinkfrillsaddedwidthtoherandthe
huedidnothingforhercomplexion.

Hesomehowmanagedtoriphisgazefromthemonstrosityandturnedhisattentiontoherface.Ifhe

didnotlookatthegown,thesightwasquitepleasing.Gonewasthepracticalhairstyleofabraidorsome
tighttwist.Joycehadhelpedherhesuspected.

Curlsdangledaroundhercheeks,brushingthemlikethefingersofalover.Afewgracedhernecktoo

makingitlooklongandsucculent—ripeforkissing.Afewwhiteblossomshadbeenscatteredthroughout
and a large gold comb held it all in place. Now if he could just forget the dress, he would have no
problempretendingshewashismistress.Hell,ifshewasbackinherbreeches,hecertainlywouldn’t.

“YouseenowwhyIdonotweardresses.”
“Tobefair,Iseewhyyoudonotwearthatdress.Iwouldhavetoseeotherdressesfirsttocometoa

properconclusionastowhetherornotyoushouldweardresses.”

Shemadeafaceandwriggled.
“What’sthematter?”
“Ihatewearingstays.”
Inwardlyhegroaned.Sohadshebeencorsetlessthiswholetime?Nowonderhehadbeenunableto

keephisattentionfromherbreasts.

She gave another wriggle, handed him her reticule and gave the stays in question a tug through her

dress.Oncesatisfied,shetookthereticuleandstraightenedherpelisse.

“Shallwe?”
“Thecarriageiswaiting.”Hemotionedtothedoor.“Ithasbeenwaitingsometime.”
“Well,ifyouhadtowearstays,perhapsyouwouldbelatetoo.”
Heopenedthedoorandescortedhertothecarriage.“Somemendo.”
Patienceopenedhermouthandclosedit.“No!”
Afootmanopenedthedoorandtheyclimbedin.Natesatoppositeherbuthewasbeginningtoregretit

whennoteventhedimlightofthelampscouldhidethatsicklypinkcolor.Whoevergaveherthatdress
shouldbeshot.No,whoevermadeitshould.

“Indeed,”hesaidwithagrin.“Somemenliketokeepeverythinginplace.”Hepattedhisstomach.
“Ihadnoidea.”Sheglancedathiswaist.“Ofcourse,youwillneverhaveaneedforthat.”
Hethoughtcolorflewintoherfaceatthementionofhisbodybuthecouldhardlytellasthepinkfrom

thedresswasreflectingoffherface.Heratherlikedthebashfulexpression,though.

“Ikeepmyselfactive,”heagreed.“Iwouldratherdoalittleexercisethanwearwomen’sunderwear

tobesure.”

“IfIhadthechoice,I’dneverwearstaysagain.”
Ifhehadthechoice,shewouldn’teither.Thethoughtofthosebreastsallconfinedmadehimslightly

angry.Theywerefartoogloriousforsuchtreatment.

“So,”hesaid,inanattempttomovehismindawayfromwhereithadbeenlingeringtoomuchlately,

“SirMagnushasmadehisfortuneincoffee.Heliveslavishlyandisobviouswithhismoney.FromwhatI
heardatthedocks,helikesfemalecompany.”

“Soit’slikelyhewouldtakeinanattractiveFrenchwoman.”
“Certainly.”
“Letushopesheisthere.”
Henodded.“Fortonight,wearenotMr.andMrs.Smith,norarewemarried.IambacktobeingLord

NathanielKingsleyandyouaremymistress.”

Sheopenedhermouthandheheldupahand.
“IcouldnotgarneraninviteasplainoldMr.SmithandifthereisanyonethereIknow,theywould

recognize me instantly. Besides which, if Pauline has discovered her cousins are not in town, she will
knowwecannotpossiblybethem.”

“Butwhyyourmistress?CanInotbeyourcousinorsomesuch?”
“Patience,Ihardlythoughtyoutheprimandpropertype.Isitsoveryappallingthethoughtofbeing

mymistress?”

“No.Imean,yes.Yes,ofcourse.Iwouldneverwishtobeyourmistress.Whatathought.”Shehuffed

outabreath.

“Anyway,ifthereisanyonethereIknow,theywillknowyouarenotmycousin,andthechancesare

therecouldbepeopleIknow.”

She folded her arms. “I do not see how you are suddenly in charge of this all. You’re not even a

governmentagent.”

“Neitherareyou.”
“Mybrotheris.He’staughtmeeverythingIknow.”
“Includingdressingasaboyandgettingintoafight?”
“No,buthetaughtmehowtonotgethit.”
“Hedidafinejob.Hewouldbeproud.Butnowisnotthetimeforfighting.Wemustwineanddine

andbecharmingsowecangetclosetoPaulineifsheisthere.”

“Iamnotasimpleton,”shesaidwithadefensivepoutgracingherlips.“Icanbehave.”
“Weshallsee.”
“Ican,”sheinsisted.

Ohchallengingherwasfartoomuchfun.Hehadneverreallypaidmuchattentiontoheratthevarious

balls and events in the village but he was certain while her family allowed her to behave a little
differently, they had taught her at least a little etiquette. She would not show them up. That dress,
however, was another matter… Damn, the desire to take her to a dress-maker was unbearable. If they
trussedherupinbeautifulsilks,whatwouldshelooklikethen?Curiositywasgoingtoeatintohimall
night and he was willing to bet he’d spent the night picturing her in all sorts of different gowns and
costumes.

Sir Magnus’ house was not far from the property they were currently occupying so they arrived

promptly. Set near the edge of the busy town, the house took up a large plot and was surrounded by
wroughtirongates.Carefullytendedgreenlawnsandflowerbedsthatlikelybloomedwithcolorinthe
springfollowedthesquarelinesofthehouse.Longwindowsglowedbrightlyintothenight,revealingthe
shadowsofoccupantsinside.

“Here we go,” he said as he hooked Patience’s arm through his and led her up the path to the front

door.

A butler answered and led them inside. The entrance hallway had an air of grandeur but it was

overdone.EverysurfacegleamedfromgoldenframedmirrorstomarblefloorstobustsofvariousGreek
gods. Compared to his ancestral home, it was a lot shinier, but then the Kingsley home was full of
antiquesandoldfurnishings,andmosthadnotbeenshinyforalongtime.

Aftertheircoatshadbeentaken,Magnusenteredthehallwaytogreetthem.Withlongthicksideburns

andafullheadofsandyhairslightlytouchedwithred,theyearsofhardworkhardlyshowedonhisface.
Onlythecreasesaroundhiseyesandslightdarkshadowsindicatedhespentmanynightsworkinglateto
achieveallhehad.Nateknewwellenoughaboutlatenightsbutofcoursethesortofworkhedidwasnot
quitesohonestasMagnus’.

“Lord Nathaniel,” he greeted, “I am mightily glad you could come. Nay, honored,” he corrected

himself.“Iamhonoredyoucouldattendmylittlesoiree.ItisnothingbigbutIdohopeyoushallenjoythe
foodandcompany.WearehardlylikethesetinTownbutwedoourbest,andmycookisoneofthefinest
atthisendofthecountry.”

Nateblinked,waitingforthemantotakeabreath.Whenitseemedhehadstopped,Natesmiledand

introducedPatienceashisverygoodfriend.Magnushardlyseemedtonoticethepinkdressorinfactthe
woman—hisfullattentionwasonNate.

“Willyounotcomein?Wearehavingdrinksbeforedinnerisserved.”
Nate followed Magnus, keeping Patience securely on his arm. He sensed the tension inside her but

whetherthatwasbecauseofthesituationorthosedamnedstays,hecouldnottell.Hefelttheneedtokeep
hercloseincaseshedidsomethingreckless.

In attendance were several local families. He recognized a few but he had never been good at

rememberingthenamesofallthesepeoplehewasintroducedto.Ballswereaboreunlessaconquest-to-
bewasinattendanceandalthoughhedidhisdutyanddancedwithafeweligiblewomenandtalkedwith
thosehemust,healwaysfeltasthoughhewasnotquiteoccupyinghisbody.Thereweresomanymore
interestingthingstodo.

Butatleasttonightwasnotsimplyadinnerparty.Tonighthewasonamissionandthatwasenoughto

ensure he paid attention and noted everyone’s names. As Nate glanced around the room, he noted one
woman sitting by the fire alone. With dark hair, fine, fashionable clothes, and an attractive figure even
whensitting,hewascertainshewastheirwoman.

“Oh,”Patiencesaid.
“Issomethingthematter?”Magnusasked.
“Ohno,notatall.It’sjust…IseeyouhaveaRembrandt.”Shemotionedtothepaintingononewall.

“Heisoneofmyfavorites.”

Magnus’seyessparkedandheseemedtofinallynoticethewomanattachedtoNate’sarm.“Youlike

art?”

“Indeed, my mother is quite the talented artist and was determined to teach me all she knew. I

unfortunatelydidnotinheritherskillbutIcertainlyinheritedherloveforthegreats.”

Natetriednottostare,reallyhedidnot.Wherehadthiswomancomefrom?Andallthistalkofart,

wasthistrue?

“Do you have any other pieces?” she continued, unlinking her arm from Nate’s. She mouthed

somethingtohimbuthedidnotcatchwhatitwas.

“Yes,Iamquitethecollector,”Magnussaid,hisfaceaseagerasapuppy’sabouttogetapig’sear.
“Willyoushowme?”
MagnusglancedatNate,asthoughlookingforpermission.Natenoddedthoughhewasstillnotsure

whatwashappening.

Patiencegavehimasmile.“Whydoyounotgetadrink,mylove,andenjoythecompany?”shesaid

companytightlyandswungherglanceoveratthewould-beFrenchwoman.

Nate nearly slapped a hand to his forehead. Patience wished for him to speak to the woman. If he

spoke to her without Magnus, perhaps he would find out everything they needed to know. Why he was
beingsodim-wittedhedidnotknowbuthewascertaintheblamefellatPatience’sputridpinkshoesand
howheracthadutterlybefuddledhim.

Theuseofmylovehadbaffledhimalittletoo.
“Yes,ofcourse.Iamnoart-loverI’mafraid,”heconfessed.“YoumustshowPatienceherewhatyou

haveorIshallneverheartheendofit.”

“Iwouldbedelighted.ItisnotoftenIgettodiscussartwithanexpert.”
“Iamhardlyanexpert,sir,butIshalltrymybest.”
PatiencenearledthemanoffsoNatetookadrinkfromthefootmananddidacasualstrollaroundthe

room,pausingtospeakwithacouplehehadmetoncebeforeatasummerballapparently.Whenhehad
finished with pleasantries and engaged them in enough conversation, he moved around to the fire and
placedhisglassofbrandyonthefireplace.

Thewomanwatched,aneyebrowarched.
“Wehavenotbeenintroduced.ItwasremissofMagnus.”
Shesmiled.“Iamnotanofficialguest.”HeraccentgaveherawayimmediatelyasFrench.
“LordNathanielKingsleyatyourservice.”
“Sabine,”shesaidsimply.
SoeitherthiswasPaulineandshewasusingadifferentnameorthiswasanotherFrenchwoman.He

wasn’tsurethatwasparticularlylikely.

“HowdoyouknowSirMagnus?”
She folded her hands in her lap and eyed him through a clear but calculating gaze. He had the

impressionshewastakingineverythingabouthimandweighingitupinhermindyetsherevealedlittlein
her expression aside from a hint of a smile. Patience had been right—Pauline, if this was her, was a
cleverwoman.

Hell,he’dneverheartheendofit.
“Iamhismistress.”
It was hardly rare for a man to take a mistress. After all, Nate himself had just strolled in with a

supposed mistress on his arm. If the woman was a widow or high-ranking, one could get away with
almostanyindiscretion.Manyanoblemantookhismistresseverywhere.However,hehadnotexpected
hertocomeoutwithitsoboldly.

“Andyouhaveknownhimlong?”
Hersmileexpandedalittle.“Amereweek.”

“Ah.Isthatlongenoughtobeconsideredamistress?”Hemovedtositonthechairnexttoher.
“Whatelsewouldyoucallmethen?”
Heshrugged.“Aclosefriend?”
Shelaughed.“Idonotthinkclosefriendsbehavequiteasloversdo.”
“Perhapsyouareright.YouareFrench,areyounot?HowareyoufindingitinEngland?Dopeople

treatyouwell?”

PaulineorSabinestiffened.“Peopletreatmewellenough.Thereareofcoursethosewhowouldthink

measpyorsomesillynonsense.”

“Youarecertainlyfartoobeautifultobeaspy.”
“Aspycannotbebeautiful?”
“Notatall.Noonecouldforgetyourface.”
“Isthatwhyyousingledmeout,mylord?Becauseyoufindmebeautiful?”
“IthoughtIhadbeenquitesubtleaboutitbutapparentlyIwaswrong.”Shegiggled.“Isingledyouout

becauseIwascuriousastowhyIhadnotbeenintroducedtoyouandwhyyouweresittingalone.”

“I am sitting alone because I am a French mistress in a room full of English people and Magnus is

forgetful.HeisverykeentoshowoffallhehasandIamnotincludedinthat.”

“Seemsoddtotakeabeautifulmistressandnotwishtoshowheroff.”
Sheliftedashoulder.“Magnusisastrangeman.”
“Nottoostrangeforyou,though.”
“Lifeisoftenstrange,non?Iamnotafraidofoddities.”
“ItseemsMagnushasluckedoutindeedtofindamistresslikeyourself.”Natestoodtoretrievehis

drinkandmotionedtothedrinkstable.“CanIgetyousomething?”

“Non,merci.”
“HowlonghaveyoubeeninEngland?”
“LongenoughtomakememissFrance.”
“Whydidyoucomeherethen?”
Paulineappearedtodebateansweringthenshepaused.“Iwouldlikethatdrinkafterall.”
NatefetchedherawineandbythetimehehadreturnedtoPaulinethedinnergongwasrung.Heled

thepartyin,asperhisrank,alongsideaLadyRosa,thewifeofabaron.PatienceandPaulineweretaken
intodinnernearthebackoftheline.Natefoundhimselfsittingfrustratinglytoofarfromeitherwoman.Of
course, he should have been more bothered by being unable to sit by Pauline but he wanted to tell
Patienceofhisconclusions.

Evenifitdidmeansittingnexttothatpinkmonstrosity,healsofoundithardnottobeabletotalkto

her.Apparentlyhehadgrownusedtobeingtoldoffeverytwominutesbyher.Henotedsheswungthe
occasionalglancehiswaybuthesuspecteditwasmerelybecauseshewasitchingtofindoutwhathehad
discovered.

Of course, he had nothing solid—not yet. And Pauline was being careful, but if she had nothing to

hide,whywouldshehaveskirtedhisquestions?Whywouldshetakeupwithamanshehardlyknew?It
hadtobeher.

Butwhatnow?Confronther?Wait?Shewassoclosetorunningawayandhidingunderhershellhe

hadtoconcludetheycouldnotconfronthersotheonlyotheroptionwastogainhertrust,whichwouldbe
amuchlongergamethantheywereexpecting.

Funnilyenough,however,theideaofextendinghistimewithPatiencedidnotbotherhimatall.She

methisgazeandgavehimasmallsmile.Didshefeelthesame,though?

ChapterTwelve

T hewholeaffairremindedPatiencewhysheloatheddinnerparties.Allthatpretense.Shesuppresseda
shudder.

By the time dessert was served, her cheeks hurt from a false smile and her back ached from sitting

‘properly’.Shecouldneverfathomwhypeopleinflicteddinnerpartiesonthemselvesandothers.Making
politetalkwithsomeoneshehadnevermetandlikelyhadnothingincommonwithwasabore.

Bothmenoneithersideofherwerepleasantenoughanddidtheirbesttoengagebuttherewaslittle

theycoulddiscussotherthanweather,Cornwallandthewar.Thebarontotheleftofherdidhisbestto
makewittyremarksbut,unfortunately,hewasnotagreatwit,evenifhewasasweetsortofaman.The
other man—whose name she could not recall—had a drier sense of humor. She suspected he could be
funnyifnotconstrictedbytherulesandregulationsofthedinnerparty.

Regardless, Patience was not interested in either of them. Only two people at the table held her

attentionandoneofthemshouldnothavehaditatall.SheskimmedhergazebetweenPaulineandNate,
withitlandingfartoooftenonthelatter.Heglancedupandcaughthereyeoccasionallyandtheoddest
twistingsensationwouldburstintoherstomach.

Whatwasworsewasthatshefoundshelikedthatsensation.Thatshelikedmeetinghisgaze.Thatin

hisfinerywithhiscravatperfectlytiedandhisjacketnearmoldedtohisbody,shefoundherselfgrowing
overheated when his blue gaze connected with hers. There had never been any denying Nate was a
handsomemanbutanythoughtsofdenyingshewasunaffectedbyitweregone.Atsomepointduringtheir
acquaintance,shehadbecomefartooawareofNathanielKingsley.

With dinner finished, the men escaped for brandies while the women gathered back in the drawing

room.WhilePatiencemournednotbeingabletoseeNateortalktohimabouthisconversationwiththe
maybe Pauline, she welcomed the opportunity to get the woman alone. Perhaps she would confide in
anotherwoman,perhapsthiscouldallbeovertonightandshecouldgohometriumphant.

ThethoughtbuoyedherandshepracticallyskippedtotakeaseatnexttotheFrenchwoman.
“Wehavenotbeenproperlyintroduced.I’mPatience.”
“Sabine.”Thewomancastasteelygazeoverher,onebrowarched.“YouareNathaniel’smistress?”
“Um.Yes.That’sme.”
“Iwouldhavethoughthewoulddressyoubetter.”
Patiencedrewinabreath.Thoroughlyawareherdresswashardlythefinestoffashion,shehadbeen

loathtowearittonight.Ofcourseshewouldratherbeinpantaloonsbuttherewaslittletobedoneabout
it.Thispinkdresswasabouttheonlyeveningdresssheowned.

“He,um,hasunusualtaste,”shesaid,twiningherfingerstogether.
“Indeedhedoes.”ThatdarkintimidatinggazeranoverheragainmakingPatiencealltooawarethat

thisglamourouswomanwithfeathersinherhairandadresssoexquisiteitalmostmadeherrethinknot
wearinggownswasthesortofwomanNatewouldlike.

Andcertainlynotsomeonelikeherwithstumpylegsandnowaistandterribletasteingowns.
Patience lifted her chin. This woman might be who they were after—might—but she would not be

intimidatedorinsultedbyher.

“OfcourseNateappreciatesotherthingsaboutme.Heisnotashallowman.Heenjoysmywitand

conversation.”Patiencegaveasecretivesmile.“Andmyotherskillsofcourse.”

Sabine threw her head back and laughed. “Ha, of course. I knew there must be something special

aboutyouforyoutohavesecuredsuchamanasyourlover.Idoadmireacleverwomanwhocanuseher
skillstoheradvantage.”

“IsthatwhatyoudidwithSirMagnus?”
Sabinewavedahand.“Pfft,hewaseasytosway,thoughIsuspecthedoesnotknowwhattodowith

menow.”

“Doyounotwantaloverwhopaysyouattention?”
Sheshookherhead,sendingfeathersbobbingbackandforth.“Idonotneedaman’sattention,merely

hisprotection.”

“Protectionfromwhat?”
“Why,lifeasawomanofcourse.”
Patience hardly knew how to respond to that. The words struck her deep. Life as a woman. How

unfairitwasthatbyvirtueofyoursex,yourlifewasmadeharder.Asmuchasshelongedforsomuchfor
herself,atleastshedidnothavetofoistherselfoffonuncaringmen.Forthat,shehadtobegrateful.

“SomeonementionedyouhadonlyrecentlycomeacrossfromFrance.”
Therewasavisiblestiffeningofthewoman’sspine.“Yes.”
“Didyouleavealoverthere?”
Sabinesmiled.“Andahusband.”
Patiencefeignedshock.Thecommentsealeditinhermind,however.ThishadtobePauline.“Willhe

notcomeafteryou?”

“Ihopenot.WhenIgetthechanceIshallfilefordivorcebutforthemoment...”
“Youarehiding?”
Paulineglancedaroundtheroomandloweredhercupofteawithasigh.“Hewasnotagoodman.He

foundoutaboutmyloverandwasangry.Icouldnotremain.”

“Orhemighthaveharmedyou?”
Paulinenodded.
Cautiously,Patiencereachedoverandlaidahandoverhers.Shedrewinabreath.“Iknowallabout

yourhusband,Pauline.”

Thewoman’sstartledgazesnappeduptohers.
“AndaboutNapoleon,”shewhispered.“I’mheretohelpyou.”
“Helpme?”Shestoodsoquicklythatteasloshedoverthesideofhercup.“Helpme.Mondieu,you

cannothelpme,noonecan,andifyouthinkIwouldtrustanEnglishwoman,youarebeyondmad.”

Withoutwarning,Paulinegrabbedherskirtsandracedtothedoor.Patiencedidthesamebutthedoors

totheotherdrawingroomswungopenatthewrongmomentandacrowdofmenenteredherpath.

ShepushedherwaythroughbutNategrabbedherarm.“What’shappened?”
“Pauline,”shesaid,motioningfranticallytothedoorwherethewomanhadvanished.Shewrenched

herarmfromNate’sandhurriedafterher.Nate’sfootstepsfollowedbehindbutshedidn’tstoptowait.If
theylostPaulinenow,theymightneverfindheragain.

Patience barreled out onto the street and paused to look left and right. The road was busy with

carriages and wagons as guests at the local inn and other houses headed home for the night. Ahead,
Paulinehurriedupthestreet.Cursingherdressasitseemedtotwinearoundherlegslikepondweeds,
shebundleditinonehandandgavechase.

Paulinecrossedtheroadbeforeacarriageracedpast.Severalmorecarriagescrowdedtheroadand

Patiencetookabreath.ShehadalmostlostsightofPauline.Theycouldn’tloseher!

Someone shouted Patience’s name. She rushed forward, intending to make the gap between the next

two carriages but something hauled her back. A strong band of what felt like steel wrapped about her
waistanddraggedheraway.Nate’sarmheldherfirmandtheytumbledbackontothepavement.Shetried

towriggleawaybuthewashavingnoneofit.

“Patience,”hesaid.
“Letmego,we’relosingher.”
“She’s lost.” Her elbow struck him in the gut as she tried to get away. “Damn it, Patience. She’s

gone.”

“No.”Shefoughtagainbuthewastoostrongandlarge.Whenshebegantryingtopryhisarmaway

fromher,herolledheroversothatherbackwasagainstthehardground.Hepinnedherwithhisbodyand
hewrappedhisfingersaboutherwrists.

Shecouldgonowhere.Hehadherimprisoned.
“Letmego,”sheprotested.
“Notifyou’regoingtoattempttogetyourselfkilledagain.”
“Iwouldhavemadeit.”
“Sweetheart,youwouldhavebeencrushed.”
Shewasbeingcrushednowbyhisbody.Hardontopofher,shewasawareofeveryinchofhimfrom

his strong thighs, one pressing between hers to his granite like chest, crushing her breasts. She could
hardlybreathe.Rollingherheadtooneside,shepeeredupattheemptypavement.Onlycarriagescame
andwentbuttherewasnosignofPauline.

“You don’t understand,” she said, hating the crack in her voice. “You don’t understand.” To her

dismay,hottearswelledinhereyes.

“It is not worth your life.” Nate stared down at her, his gaze running over her face and most likely

takingnoteofhertears.Shehatedthemandhatedthathesawthem.Tearswereasignofweaknessand
weaknesswasnotacceptableinherfamily.

“Youdon’tunderstand,”shemumbledagain.
He released a wrist and fumbled in his jacket before pulling out a handkerchief. Nate dabbed the

cornersofhereyesandhercheeks.Histenderactionssimplymadehercrymore.Noonehadeverwiped
awayhertears.Ifshehadevercried,shedidsoinherroomwhereherbrotherscouldnotseeandtease
her.

Nateshookhisheadandeasedhimselftositting,thenhedraggedherintohishold.There,onthecold

stone pavement, he tucked her against his chest so tightly that she could hear the powerful thud of his
heart.Heheldherthere,onehandkeepinghercaptiveagainsthimwhiletheotherbrushedupanddown
herback.Shecriedforsometime,ugly,raggedtearsthatleftherchestachingandsore,andhereyeshot
andswollen.Hisshirtgrewdampunderhercheek.

Once she was finally able to take a breath without sobbing, she straightened and he handed her his

handkerchief.Shewipedhereyesandgaveanunladylikeblowbeforeofferingitback.

Helaughedandshookhishead.“Keepit.”
Patiencebuncheditupinherhandandheldittight.“Iamsorry.”Hervoicewasharsherthanshe’d

expected.Shefeltasthoughshehadbeenwashedinscaldingwaterandpulledthroughawringer.

“Youdonothavetoapologize.”
“Ido.Ihavebeendifficultandfoolish.IfIhadnotbeensokeentofinishthisjobquickly,Iwouldnot

havescaredheraway.Perhapsifwehaddoneityourwayandwaiteditout,shewouldhavecometous.”

“AreyousayingImighthavebeenright?”Hegrinned.
“Never.”Shesniffedandsmiled.“ButIamsorryIdidnotlisten.Iknowyouaredoingthisasafavor

tomybrother.I’msurethereareotherthingsyouwouldratherbedoing.”

“Notatall.There’snothingIlikemorethanabitofsubterfugewithastubbornwoman.”Heskimmed

athumboverhercheekwhereanerranttearwasmakingitswaydown.“WhatdoInotunderstand?”

Shesuckedinabreathandshookherhead.Asenseofreliefranthroughher,leftherfeelingexhausted

butbetter.Allthatcryingseemedtohavedonehersomegood.Butwasshereadytotalkproperlyabout

herfamily?

Natewaited,hisgazepatientandunderstanding.Itwasoddtoequatethismanwiththearrogantand

rudeoneshethoughtsheknewyetitdidnotsurpriseherhehadthesequalities.

“YouknowIwantedtodothistoprovesomethingtomyfamily,”shestated.
Henodded.
“Butitismorethanthat.”Shepulledatacurlbyherneck,twiningitaroundandaroundherfinger.

Shecouldnotmeethisunderstandinggazeanymoresosheeyedthemuckyhemofherdress,alltooaware
ofNate’sarmsstillaroundher.“Myfatherneverwantedagirl.Hewasdisappointedtohaveone.”

“Youcannotknowthat,”heprotested.
“Ican.IevenheardhimsayasmuchoncetomymotherwhenIwasyoungbeforehedied.Sheasked

himtoletmebemoreinvolvedwithhimandmybrothersandhedeclaredhewishedI’dbeenaboy.”

Natehissedoutabreath.“Christ.”
“SoyouseewhyImustdothis?Imustprovehewaswrongaboutme.Thatwomenarejustasgoodas

men.”

“Sweeting,youareeasilyasgoodasyourbrothers,ifnotbetter.Theyhavehadtheadvantageofbeing

bornmalewhileyouhavehadtofightforeverything.Iamsureifyourfathersawyounow,hewouldbe
proudofyou.Icertainlywouldbeifyouweremydaughter.”

Shesnorted.“WhathaveIdonetomakeanyoneproud?”
“You’ve carved your own path. You do not care what anyone thinks. You’re strong and brave, and

clever.”

Shehardlyknewwhattosaytothesecompliments.Whenhadanyonesaidsuchwordstoher?Andto

becalledstrongandbraveandclever?Mostwomenwouldprobablyratherbecalledbeautifulorelegant
butnother.Thosewordsmeantmorethanhecouldknow.

“Youareasurprisingman,NathanielKingsley.”
Hetiltedhishead.“Howso?”
“Underneaththatarrogantexteriorisquitethecharmingman.”
“IthoughtIwasalwayscharming.”
“YourideaofcharmingandmineisentirelydifferentIfear.”
“WellIamgladIhavediscoveredawayofcharmingyou.Ithoughtitmightneverhappen.”
Shepeeredupathim.Theirbodieswerestillclose,tangledtogetherwhileheheldher.Thescentof

subtlecolognecocoonedaroundherandshefeltherheartbeattrip.Whenshepeeredupathim,hisface
wasmereinchesfromhers.

“Youwantedtocharmme?”
Yes.Pleasesayyes.
“Yes.”
Asmileworkeditswayacrossherfaceofitsownaccord.Howridiculousitwasthatsheshouldwant

tobeonthereceivingendofhisattentions.Shehadalotmorethingstoworryaboutthanwhetheralord
shouldwishtocharmher—andeventhoughhehadadmittedhedid,itmeantnothing.Natewaslikelyused
tocharmingeverywomaninthecountrywithease.Amanlikehimselfwouldseeherasachallenge.She
shouldnottakestockinit.

Nateeasedhisarmsfromaroundherandstood.Heofferedherahand.Patienceslippedherhandin

his,brushingdownherskirtsasshecametostanding.

Shegrimaced.“Ithinkthisdressisruined.”
“Good,”hedeclared.“Letusburnthethingandforgetiteverexisted.”Thegenuinedisgustonhisface

ashestaredatthegowninquestionmadeherlaugh.

Heshookhisheadandputherhandthroughhisarm.“Letusseeifwecanexplainthisawaytoour

guest.”

ChapterThirteen

“Sowhatisyourplannow?”Joyceasked.

Nate gave up trying to eat the thick porridge that was the texture of nearly hardened tar and just as

edible.Heshovedhisspoonbackintoitandwatchedasitsatupright.PatiencehadtakentohelpingJoyce
withmealsandasmuchasheadmiredherperseverance,theresultswerenottheeasiesttodigest.

“Wewait,”Patiencedeclared.
Henearlychokedonhistoast.“Wait?”
“Yes.”
“You”—hepointedather—“wishtowait?”
“Yes.”Shefrownedathimasthoughshecouldnotunderstandhisconfusion.
Gonewastheputridpinkdressandhehopedhewouldneverseteyesonitagain.Initsplacewasthe

plain white shirt, slightly open at the collar and grey pantaloons. They did not hug her body quite as
beautifullyasbreechesbuttheywereawelcomerelieffromtheeye-singeinggown.

PatienceignoredhisstareandturnedherattentiontoJoyce.“Paulinehasnootherrelatives,correct?”
Joycenodded.“Weknowofnoothersanditseemsthesedistantcousinsarewhat’sleftofherfamily

fromherletters.”

“Paulineisawomanusedtoacertainlifestyle.Idonotbelieveshewouldsimplyrunoffandliveoff

herwits.”

“Shemighttrytofindanothermantolookafterher,”Natepointedout.
“Shemight,butifIwereher,Iwouldratherconnectwithfamily,particularlyafterwhathappenedlast

night. She would be fearful of being spotted again. It’s easier to hide with family who know of her
situation.”

“Soyouthinksheshallgotohercousins?”Nateasked.
“Butdoessheevenknowthey’regone?”
Joyceshrugged.“Whocansay?”
Patiencenibbledontheendofherthumb.“Ifshehasnotcomehereyet,shemusthaveconcludedthey

areoutoftownandthatthehouseisbeinglet.”

“SoshewillremaininFalmouthuntiltheyreturn.”
Patiencesenthimasmilethathadhisheartbeatingoddly.“Precisely.”
Itwasherhairthatdiditheconcluded.Shehadleftsomeofthecurlsinandithadasofterlook.He

wantedtotugononeofthosecurlslikeanaughtyboyteasingagirlheliked.Itbroughtouttheplumpness
ofherlipsandframedherfaceperfectly.

“Nate?”Patiencestaredathimexpectantly.
Heblinkedandforcedhisattentionawayfromherlips.“Yes?”
“Whatdoyouthinkthen?Shallwedoit?”
“Uh.Yes.Definitely.”
Joyceclappedherhandstogether.“Excellent.IshallspreadwordthatyouareleavingandtheSmiths

willbereturningshortly.Thenwejusthavetomakeitlookasthoughnooneishere.Eithersheturnsup
whileyouaresupposedlygone,orwemakeitlookasthoughtheSmithshavereturnedandshesearches
themoutthen.”

Natetriedtodigestthis.“Howwillwemakeitlookasthoughnooneislivinghere?”

“We cannot come and go, we shall have to leave the fires and lights unlit. Just for a few days,”

Patiencesaid.“Ifshehasbeenwatchingusatall,shewillthinkwe’vegone.”

Nateliftedhiscoffeecupinamocktoast.“Soundslikewehaveaplan.”

***

PainburstthroughNate’sknee.“Goddamnthisbloodyplan.”Heglaredattheoffendingtablelegthathad
decidedtogetinthewayofhisknee.Withonlyalittlelightfromoutsideseepingintothedrawingroom,
hecouldhardlymakeouttheoffendingobject.

“Language,”Patiencescolded.
“Whereareyou?”Hesquintedintothedarktomakeoutahuddledshapetuckeduponthesofa.
“Overhere.”
“Overhere,”hemimicked.“LikeIknowwhere‘overhere’is.”
“There’snoneedtobesogrouchy.”
Hemadehiswaycautiouslyovertohervoice,handsouttopreventanymoreaccidents.Itwasn’tthe

first.TheyhadbeeninhidingfortwodayswhileJoycehadspreadwordthattheywereleavingandshe
wasclosingupthehouseuntiltheSmithsreturned.Inthemeantime,Nate’slimbsandtoeshadmanagedto
findeverybitoffurnitureinthedeucedhouse.Bytheendofthis,hewouldbecoveredinbruises.

“Nate,careful.”
Herwarningcametoolate.Hisshinstrucktheedgeofthesofaandhetoppled.
Ittookhimamomenttorealizequitewhathehadfallenon.Hisfacewassurroundedbysomething

soft.Sosoft.Andgenerous.Twoshapesthatseemedtocuphishead.

“Nate.”
“Justamoment,”hemurmuredtoherbreasts.
“Nate!”Patiencetriedtopushhimoff.
Hefinallyeasedawayandfoundaspotonthesofatositon.“Myapologies,”hemuttered,notfeeling

atallsorry.Thatwasthenicestthingtohavehappenedtohimindays.

“Itdoesn’tmatter.”
“Yournightvisionmustbebetterthanmine.”
“Ihavebeensittinghereforawhile.Myeyeshaveadjusted.”
Heeyedheruntiltheshapeofhergrewmorevisible.Wrappedinablanket,shehadherlegstucked

upontheseat.

“Whatwereyoudoing?”
“Tryingtostaywarmmostly.”
It was odd not to be able to see her expressions. He did not much like it. He had not realized how

expressibleherfacewasuntilhecouldnolongerseeit.

“Youshouldgotobed.JoycehasIbelieve.”
“Joyceisasoundsleeper.Haveyouheardhersnoring?”
Natelaughed.“Ihave.”Despitetherebeingafloorbetweenthem,thewomanmanagedtowrackthe

rafterswithhersnoringattimes.

“Shecangettosleepnomatterwhat.Iamtoo...I’mnotsure...IjustfeellikeIamwaiting.”
“Yes,Iknowwhatyoumean.It’shardtorestwhenyouknowsomethingmighthappen.”
“Ihopeso.Ihopeallthissittingaboutfreezingisworthit.”

He reached out tentatively, hoping he didn’t get a handful of breast, as much as he would like it.

Luckily,hefoundherhandandindeedherfingertipswerefreezing.Shewassosmall,itwasnowonder.

Nateedgedcloserandputanarmaroundher.Shemadenoprotestandliftedtheblanketsoitcovered

themboth,whichwasacluetohowcoldshehadtobe.Patienceburrowedclose.Hisheartfeltasthough
ithaddoubledinsize.Allthesestrangeheartmovementsandfluttersweregettingtiring.WhyPatience
broughtouttheprotectivesideofhim,hedidnotknow.Thelastwomantoneedprotectingwasher.She
wasthetoughestwomanhe’devermet.

“Doyouthinkthiswillwork?”sheasked,herheadrestinginthecrookofhisarm.
Foramoment,hecouldnotreply.Shefitsoperfectlythere.Itwasasthoughheunderstoodprecisely

whyshehadnevergrowntall.Itwasallbecauseshewasintendedtofitagainsthim.

Shakingaway the foolishthoughts, he clearedhis throat. “It’s wortha try. Youwere right about her

beingacleverwoman.Ithinkyoucouldberightaboutthis.”

“Ihopeso.IwouldhatetogohomeandtelleveryoneIfailed.”
“Iknowyourbrothers,theywouldnotthinkyouhadfailed.Besides,Jacobwasaskingalotfromyou.

Eventrainedoperativesgetthingswrong.”

“Heaskedalotofyoutoobutyoudon’tseemconcernedaboutfailing.”
Heshrugged.Therewasnoneedtomentionthathehadmoreexperienceintheareaofespionagethan

sherealized.Ofcourse,mostofitwasmoretodowithsneakinggoodsintothecountrybuthehadmet
plentyofspiessinceheandhisbrotherhadstartedsmuggling.Theamountofmenandinformationthey
hadsnuckinandoutofthecountrywastoomanytocountatthispoint.

“Idon’tdoubtwewillfindher.”
“IwishIcouldbeasconfident.”
“You should be. Together we will find her, we will get that information and we’ll return home

triumphantandifthatdoesnotmakeyourbrothersproud,thentheyaresimpletons.”

Patienceyawned,along,loudyawnthatshefailedtosmother.“Forgiveme,Iamnotusedtobeingup

solate.I’mnormallyanearlyriser.”

“ItendtostumbleintobedwheneverIfeellikeit.ThoughoncemybrothermarriesHannah,Ihavea

feelingthingswillchange.”

“Willitbestrangelivingwithamarriedcouple?”
“Itdoesmakemeconsiderrentingahousenearby.BretonHallisavailableIbelieve.”
“DoesLordRedmereknowyouwishtomoveout?”
“Notyet.Ishalltellhimoncetheweddingplansarefinalized.Hehasalottoworryaboutatpresent.”
“Andheworriesforyou,”shestated.
“Toomuch.HeforgetsIamnolongerayoungmanwithnomotherorfathertolookafterhim.Perhaps

ifIsetuphouseonmyown,hewillrealize.”

“Itseemswebothhavethingstoprovetoourbrothers.”
Natelaughed.“Brothers,eh?Whowouldhavethem?”
“IdoloveminedearlybutIwishtheywouldseemeforwhatIam,especiallyHarry.”
“Andhowdotheyseeyou?”
“Asachild,Ishouldimagine.”
“Icannotseehowtheycouldnotseeyouasawoman.Afterallyouareextremely—”
“Donotevensayit,”Patiencewarned.
“Mature,”hefinished.“Iwasgoingtosay—”
Patiencecuthimoffbyslappingahandoverhismouth.
“Iwasnotbeingrude,”heprotested,thewordsmuffled.
“Shhh.Didyouhearthat?”
Herhandstillclappedoverhislips,heforcedhimselftolisten.Therewasasqueak,thenaclatter.

“Coulditbeher?”Patiencewhispered.
“Mmmf.”
“Oh.”Sheremovedherhandfromhismouth.“Sorry.”
“Itmightwellbe.Ithinkit’scomingfromthekitchen.”
“Yes.”Shescootedforwardandstood.“Quickly,”sheordered.“Wemustcatchher.”
Withasmuchspeedastheycouldmanageinnearpitchdark,theymadetheirwaydowntothekitchen.

NatewouldhavepreferredtogoinfrontbutPatiencewouldnotlethimtakethelead.Shepausedinthe
doorwaytothekitchen.Withnocurtains,itwasthelightestroominthehousewiththebasementwindows
droppingenoughpale,shimmeringmoonlightforthemtobeabletoseethelayoutoftheroom.

Nate peered over Patience’s head into the room but could see nothing. Patience turned to press a

finger to his lip, as if he could not be trusted to stay quiet. He was sorely tempted to nibble on that
fingertiptoteachheralesson.Hadanotherclatternotsoundedfromnearthepantryhemightwellhave.A
shadowedblurzippedpastthemandPatiencenearjumpedintohisarms.Shegrippedhimsotightlythat
hecouldfeelherheartpoundingagainsthischest.

“Arat,”hehissed.“Adamnedrat.”
“Shit.”
Hesmotheredalaughatherunladylikeexpression.Butbeforehecouldteaseherforit,thereardoor

tothekitchensqueaked.UnwillingtoletPatiencetaketheleadanylonger,heurgedherbackbehindhim
and edged toward the door. It eased open, letting in a blast of frigid air. A figure stepped in and Nate
positionedhimselfflatagainstthewall.Patiencefollowedsuit.Oncethepersonhadcomefullyintothe
kitchen,Natemovedtolockthereardoor.Theintruderspunatthesoundofhisfootsteps.

Pauline’sfeatureswerecleartoseeinthenightlight.Shesighed.“Merde.”

ChapterFourteen

Patiencetookfullenjoymentofthelitfireinthedrawingroom.Thesweetwarmthlickedintoherbones
assheeyedtheirbounty.

PaulineFourèshadfaredwellconsideringshe’dfledthesafetyofherprotector’shomenotlongago.

Everelegant,herpalepinkpelisseandgownwereperfectlypressed.Whatevershehadbeendoingsince
theysawherlast,shehadbeenwelllookedafter.

“Irememberyou,”shesaid,heraccentmakingherwordssoundalmostlyrical.“Youwerelafillein

thatawfulpinkdress.”

PatienceglancedatNatewhowasclearlysuppressingalaugh.
“Yes,”Patiencesaidthroughgrittedteeth.“Thatwasme.”
“Ididnotrealizeyouwerehuntingmedown,”Paulinesaidwithahuff.
She sat on the sofa, slightly reclined as if she did not have a care in the world. Her dark hair was

carefully braided around her head and held up with a silver comb. It was as though she was at a party
instead of being held by two strangers. A pang of envy rolled through Patience. How could she be so
calm,soself-assured?

Paulinepeeredathernails.“Isupposeyouwantsomethingfromme?”
Natenoddedandstrodeforward.Hesethimselfonthechairoppositeandleanedforward,elbowson

knees. Even Patience’s heart did a little flutter at the movement of his lithe body and the intense
expressiononhisface.GoodnessknowshowPaulinefeltbeingonthereceivingendofsuchalook.

“Wewanttoprotectyou,”Natetoldher.
The woman peered at Nate for some time before straightening a little in her seat. Whatever magic

Natewaswielding,itwasworking.PatienceshouldhavealwayslethimtaketheleadonPauline—after
allhewasquitetheexpertonwomen,shethoughtbitterly.

Paulinewavedahand.“Ihadprotection.”
“SirMagnuswasalreadytiringoffyou.”
She snorted. “Oui, the fool. He hardly knew what to do with a woman. I had strong suspicion he

was…well…youknow.”Shesmiled.

Patiencefrowned.“Waswhat?”
Nateshookhishead.“Itdoesnotmatter.”
Paulinegaveherasympatheticlook.“Poor,sweetgirl.Youareaninnocentthingareyounot?”
“Hardly,”Patienceprotested,feelinginnocentindeed.
Nexttothisvivacious,beautifulwoman,shefeltlikeashort,stumpy,uglypig.No,makethataboar.A

hairy,stunted,gruntingboar.Eachwordoutofhermouthfeltstupidandnonsensicalandeverymovement
wasawkwardandbumbling.AndPatiencehadhardlysaidawordormovedaninchyet!

“Wherearemycousins?”Paulineasked.
“Outoftown,”Patiencesaidfirmly.
“Andtheywillbegoneforlong?”
Natenodded.“Aslongaswewantthemtobe.”
Paulineadoptedapout.Onethatmadeherlookmoreattractiveratherthansulky.Thesortofpoutthat

made a man want to fix all her woes for her. Patience caught herself pressing her own lips together in
imitationandquicklystraightenedhermouth.

“YouEnglisharedevious.”
“Yesweare,”Nateagreed,agleaminhiseye.
That gleam—the sort of wicked one that always made her want to slap him as well as fling herself

againsthim—hadasimilareffectonPauline.Sheseemedtorisetoattentionthatlittlebitmore.

Theatmospheregrewthick.Patiencetriednottogrindherteeth.Alonglookranbetweenthepairand

ittookallherwillpowernottojumpbetweenthemanddosomethingfoolish.ThankfullyJoyceentered
beforePatiencesprangintoaction.

“Tea,mydears,”shedeclared.“Teaandsandwiches.NowarmfoodyetbutIamworkingonthat.”

The housekeeper’s face lit up at the idea of being able to cook a proper meal. “I am sure you are all
lookingforwardtothat.”

“Thatweare,Mrs.Rowley,thatweare,”Nateagreed.
“Well,Ishallleaveyoutoit,”Joycesaid,leavingthetrayonthecoffeetableandbackingoutofthe

room.

Paulineleanedforward,hergazeonthembothandpouredherselfacupoftea.“Iprefercoffee.Teais

soEnglish.”

Regardlessofherdislikeoftea,shesippedawayquitehappilybeforehelpingherselftoasandwich.

Patience’s stomach grumbled loudly enough for everyone to hear and her cheeks near boiled with
embarrassment.

Paulinesmotheredagiggleandmotionedtothefood.“Ishallnoteatitall.Ihavetowatchmyfigure.”
Patiencehadneverwatchedherfigureinherlife,unlessitwastogrumblewithitindissatisfactionat

being so shapeless and short. There was little point. What help was a womanly figure when bounding
acrossfieldsafterone’sbrothersorgoingonahunt?Pauline,however,usedherassetstofullaffect,and
Patience could not help wonder if she should not have spent more time wearing corsets and eating
carefully—thoughwithherheightshecouldlikelystarvetodeathandnotchangeonebit.

Ignoring the offer of sandwiches, Patience met the woman’s gaze head on. She would not be

intimidatedbyher.Notbyherelegantfigureorbyherbeautifulclothes.Notbyherbraidsnorherlong
archingneck.Notevenbythewaysheappearedasthoughsheownedtheplace.Theyhadamissionto
completeandnothingwouldstopher.Heck,shehadfaceddownthemostbrutishofmeninherattemptto
find Pauline. She had nearly been crushed by a carriage. She had lived in the freezing cold for several
daysandsurviveditall.No,therewasnoneedforhertobeintimidatedbythiswoman.

“We want the information you have on Napoleon, Pauline,” Patience said bluntly. “You are being

watched.Youhavebeenwatchedforsometime.Youwillnotbeallowedtoleaveuntilyougiveusthat
information.”

Pauline eyed her for several moments, her lips pursed. “I like you,” she finally concluded. She

motionedtoPatience’spantaloons.“Youlookbetterinthose.”

Patienceopenedhermouth,unsurehowtorespondtothesuddenreversalinattitude.
“Willyouhelpus?”Natepressed.
AflickerofamusementteasedthecornersofPauline’smouth.“Perhaps.Whatisinitforme?”
“Protection.”
Thewomanlaughed.“Thatinformationwasmyprotection.AmItotrusttheEnglishwithmysafety?”

ShesaidEnglishasthoughtheverywordpainedhertosay.

PatiencefinallysuckedupthecouragetositnexttoPaulineandforgethowinelegantshefeltnextto

her.“Youarebeingwatched.YourletterswerebeingreadlongbeforeyoucametoEngland.Therewill
benoescapeforyouuntilyougiveovertheinformation.”

“SoIamtobetraymyfellowcountrymen?”Paulineaskeddramatically.
Patiencefixedherwithalook.“YouwerebetrayedbyNapoleon,wereyounot?Andyourhusband?

Theydonotdeserveyourloyalty.”

A flicker of pain echoed in the woman’s dark eyes before it vanished. She drew in a breath and

releaseditloudlyenoughforthemalltohear.“Theydonot,thatistrue.ButhowcanIbesureIwillbe
safewhenthisinformationisinthehandsoftheBritish?NapoleonwillsurelywantmedeadafterIhave
betrayedhim.”

“Napoleonhasenoughtodealwithatpresent.Hewillnotbotherhimselfwithyou,”Nateassured.
“Andevenifhedid,wecanensureyouaresafe,”Patienceadded.“TherearemanyplacesinBritain

youcango.Youwillnodoubtberichlyrewardedforyourservicetoyournewcountry.”

Paulineflickedhergazebetweenthemboththenleanedbackinthechair.“Idonotknowifwhatyou

sayistruebutIwanttheEnglishtostopfollowingme,tostopreadingmyletters.Ifyoucanpromisemeat
leastthatmuch,IshalltellyouallIknow.”

Natenodded.“Thatwecanpromisewithease.”
“Verywell.”Paulineeyedherfingernailsforamoment.Onlythepopandcrackleofthefiresounded.

“Idonotknowanythingmyself.Itisallindocuments.Lettersandsuchlike.IleftthematMagnus’house
forsafekeeping.”

Patienceblinked.“Youleftthembehind?”
“WellIleftinahurry,didInot?”ShegavePatienceapointedlook.“ButIwasplanningtogetthem

back.IfyouletmeleaveIshallhavethembacktoyouwithease.”

“No.”Natestood.“Youwillstayhereuntilweknowwehaveeverythingweneed.”
“Wecangettheinformationourselves,”Patienceagreed,“justtelluswhereitis.”
Pauline sighed and offered another pout. “You do not trust me I see.” A smile played on her lips.

“Verywell,itisinhislibrary.Thereisabook—CandidebyVoltaire—youknowit?”

Theybothnodded.
“Youwillfindthepapersinthatbook.”
Naterubbedahandacrosshischin.“Allofthem?It’sasmallbook.”
“Youshallfindallyouneed,”repliedPauline,juttingherchinup.
“I suppose I had better contact Sir Magnus. Let us hope our little display on our last visit did not

frighten him off.” Nate shot Patience a look that reminded her of the fact that she had chased off Sir
Magnus’smistressandcausedquiteatodo,particularlywhenshehadreturnedtothepartylookingmore
thanalittleflusteredwithnoexplanationastowhyshehaddonewhatshehad.

“Ifyouareplanningonattendinganotherdinnerparty,youcannotsendherinthatpinkdressagain.”

Pauline nodded toward Patience. “I have some fine gowns in storage. She can wear one of those. That
pinkdressshouldbeburned.”Thewomangaveamockshudder.“Itisaninsulttofashion.”

“PerhapsIhaveotherdresses,nicerdresses,”Patienceprotested.
Paulineranhergazeupanddownherandshookherhead.“Non,youdonot.Youshallwearoneof

mine,”shesaidfirmly.

PatiencelookedtoNateforhimtocometoherdefensebuthemerelyshrugged,anamusedsmileupon

hisface.Apparentlyshewasgoingtohavetowearyetanotherdressandtherewasnothingthatcouldbe
doneaboutit.

ChapterFifteen

“Patience.”

PatienceturnedsoseePaulinepokingherheadoutofthebedroomdoor.Althoughthewomanwasnot

confined to her room as such, Nate had insisted on ensuring he knew where she was at all times, and
refusedtoletherwalkaroundthehouseunescorted.

“Doyouneedsomething?”
“Oui.”Paulinepushedopenthedoor.“Comeinhere.”
Frowning, Patience entered the bedroom. With the curtains drawn, the room made a gloomy prison.

Paulineinsistedonkeepingthemdrawnwhileshewasinhidinglestsomeonerecognizeher.Lampswere
litinseveralcornersbutcouldnotcombatthefeelingoftheroombeingutterlystifling.Particularlyfora
woman like Pauline. Patience had only been in her company for two days while they waited for their
chancetogotoMagnus’foranotherdinnerpartybutshehadthedistinctimpressionPaulinewasnotthe
sortofwomanwhocouldbeconfined.Shecouldnothelppityherforhersituation,foreverhavingherlife
dictatedbymen.

Paulinesatonthebedandpattedthemattress.Patienceletherfrowndeepen.
“Comehere,yousillyEnglishgirl.Haveyouneverconfidedwithyourgirlfriendsbefore?”
Sheshookherhead.“Ihavenone.”
“Well,youhaveonenow.”Shepattedthebedinsistently.
Unable to protest or quite fathom what Pauline meant by you have one now, Patience sat. Did that

meanPaulineconsideredherafriend?HerfirstfemalefriendwasNapoleon’sformermistress?Whata
riotshewouldhavetellingpeopleintheirvillagethat.Ofcourse,noonewouldbelieveher.

“Youaredifferent,areyounot?”Paulineasked.
“Doyouneedtoaskmethat?”sheindicatedtoherbreeches.
The French woman laughed. “Oui, you are right.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “I am the same. I was

neversatisfiedwithmeremarriageandduty.AndIwillnotbesatisfiedwithhidingawayinScotlandor
someotherfrightfullycoldplacewhileundertheprotectionoftheBritish.Ishalldiefromboredom,Iam
sureofit.”

“Iamsuretheyshallfindyousomewherepleasanttostay.”
“I cannot abide the thought of being watched over forever. I am sure they will still spy on me. You

mustknowthat,Patience.”

Patiencegrimaced.ThechanceswerePaulinewouldnotbeallowedtocomfortablysettlewithoutany

interference. She knew too much. There would always be people watching her, at least until the war
ended—ifiteverdid.

“Idonotknowwhyyouaretellingmethis,Pauline.Ihavenopoweroverwhathappenstoyou.”
“Youhavesomepower.EspeciallyoverNathaniel.”
Patiencelaughed.“Heneverlistenstome.”
“Youarewrong.Iseehim.Hewatchesyourmouthsocarefully,asifeachwordthatcomesfromyour

lipsisatreasure.Helistens.”

Shakingherhead,Patiencesmiledtoherself.Ifonlythatweretrue.Shewoulddearlyenjoyholding

Nate’sesteem.Howshehadgonefromresolvingtoloathehimforevertowantinghisesteem,shedidnot
know,butthereitwas.Shewantedhimtolikeher,tothinkwhatshehadtosayheldsomeimportance.

Howfickleofher.

“Youmustspeakwithhim.PersuadehimImustgo.”
“Weneedtogettheinformationfirst,Pauline.Youknowwhy.”
Shegaveasadsigh.“Ah,oui,youdonottrustme.”
“Weputquitealotofeffortintofindingyou.”Patiencenearlylaughedatherselfwhensheconsidered

thefightshehadlandedherselfinandthedaysspenttrippingaroundacold,darkhouse.“EvenifNate
werenothere,Iwouldnotreleaseyou.”

“Butafter?”Paulineaskedhopefully.“Whataboutafter?”
“Itissaferforthegovernmenttolookafteryou.Whatwouldyoudoonyourownanyway?”
“I have my cousins. They will return when you are gone. They can help me. I shall travel perhaps.

Thereareshipsenougharoundhere.Awarmcountrywouldbenice.”

Patienceshookherheadslowly.“IamnotsurewhatIcandoforyou.”
“Letmeleavewhenyouhaveyourinformation.Leavethefrontdoorunlocked.Icanslipaway.After

all,Iwillnotbeneededthen.”

“Pauline,I—”
“Orbetteryet,comewithme.”Pauline’seyeswerebrightwithexcitement.“Comewithmeandwe

shallhavewonderfuladventures.Youarenotmadeformarriageoradulllife,Iknowthat.”

“Ohno,I’m—”
“We shall be safer together and you are strong, are you not? Oui, you are, I can tell. Strong and

determined.Betweenus,wecoulddoanything.AndIlikeyou,andyoulikeme.Itwouldbeperfect.”

“Ireallydonotthink…thatis,Ihaveafamily.Theywouldmissme.”
“Yourbrothers?Pffft.”Paulinewavedahand.“Iheardyoutalkingofthem.Theyaretoobusybeing

mentocareabouttheirsister.”ShegrabbedPatience’shand.“Comewithme.Wecouldhavesuchfun.”

TherewasadeliberatecoughoutsidethedoorandPaulinedroppedPatience’shandabruptly.Pauline

stood,feelingasthoughshehadbeencaughtconspiringwiththeenemy.

“Thinkaboutit,”thewomanwhisperedasPatiencehastenedoutoftheroom.
Nate stood in the hallway, arms folded. Creases marred his forehead and his expression was dark.

Patience jutted up her chin and stalked past him. He followed her down to the drawing room. He had
heard enough, she knew that much, but why he was angry about it, she did not know. After all, it was
hardlyherfaultPaulinewasplotting.

She picked up a poker and gave the fire a jab. Sparks popped from the logs. Behind her, Nate

remained.Shedidnotneedtolookathimtoknowthatsamedarkexpressionremainedonhisface.

“Youarenotconsideringit,areyou?”
Sherolledhereyes,gavethefireonemorestabthenplacedthepokerbackinitsholderbeforefacing

him.Shemirroredhisstance,crossingherarmsandkeepingherlegsslightlyapart.Shehadnot,untilhe
hadchallengedher.Wasitsoastonishingathoughtthatshemightwishtotravelandexperienceexcitement
anddanger?

“AndwhatifIam?”
“Patience,youcannotbeserious.Wearetohandherovertothegovernment,notreleaseherintothe

wild.”

“Icannotblameherforwantingtobefree,Nate.”
“Andyou?Areyounotfree?”
“HowcanIbe?Iamawoman.IfIdonotmarry,Ishallbecomeaspinsterandatargetforpity.”
“Whatofyourfamily?”
Sheshrugged.“Mybrothersshallnotmissme.”
“Yourmotherwill.”
“Sheistoobusywithherpainting.Anyway,itisnotaprisonsentence.IcouldreturnifIwantedto.”

Natetookseveralboldstridestoclosethegapbetweenthem.“Patience,listentoyourself.Youwish

to gallivant off to who knows where when you have never been farther than London—if that—with a
womanwhocouldverywellbetargetedbytheFrenchandBritish.”

“Soundsfun,”shesaid,well-awareitwouldrilehimmore.Butwhyshouldhebesobothered?He

wasnotherkeeperorherrealhusband.

“Youaretooinnocent,littleone.Youhavespentallyourlifeinasleepylittlevillagewhereeveryone

accepts that you wear breeches and turns a blind eye. You will not find the same welcome anywhere
else.”

“Youthinkmehorriblynaïve,doyounot?Well,Idonotseehowyoucanknowmuchoftheworld

either.WegrewupinthesamesmallvillageifyourecallandIdonotthinktripstoLondonandScotland
countasseeingthewideworld.Thelifeofanoblemanishardlyonefilledwithdangerandadventure,is
it?”

“Patience,youhavenoideahowmuchdangerandadventureIhavebeenapartof.”
Shelaughed.“Ifyoumeanslippingoutofmarriedwomen’swindows,Idonotthinkthatcounts.”
“No,” he hissed. “I mean sailing across enemy-laden seas. I mean evading excise men. I mean

smugglinginspies.”

Patienceopenedhermouth,thencloseditagain.
Natestraightenedandpushedahandthroughhishair.“Damnit.”
“Whatdoyoumean,excisemen?Andsmugglingspies?”
Hehuffedoutalongbreathandpushedhisglassesbackuphisnose.“Iknowmoreaboutdangerthan

youwilleverknow.”

“Nate?”
Hemotionedtothechairandshesat,eyeinghimassheloweredherselfdown.Movingtostandbythe

fire,herestedanelbowonthefireplace.

“Ishouldnothavesaidasmuch.WhatIhavetoldyoucouldputmanypeopleindanger,particularly

mybrother.”

“LordRedmere?”
“HeistheonlybrotherIhave.”
“Yes,ofcourse.Forgiveme.”
Hestaredattheflamesforamoment.“Itrustyou,Patience,soIdonotthinkIneedtotellyouthis

informationisnottoberepeated.”

“Iswearit.”
“When I found out my eyesight was not good enough for me to join the army, I threw myself into

drinkingandwell…otherunsavorybehavior.Mybrotherfearedthatwithoutapurpose,Iwouldturninto
anotheroneofthoseuselesssecondsons.”

“Idonotthinkyoucouldeverbeoneofthose.”
Hegaveheralook.“IamadifferentmantowhatIwasthen.PerhapsIamevenchangedagainsince.”

Heranafingeralongthemantelpieceandstaredatthefireoncemore.“Mybrotherwantedawayforme
tobeinvolvedinthewareffortandfindpurpose.BychancehecameacrossaBritishspyshelteringin
Penshallow.Mybrotherhelpedhimandthatledtohiscurrentoperation—whichissmuggling.”

Shedrewinabreath.Smuggling?Surelynot.EveryoneknewthatsmugglingtookplaceinCornwall.

TherewastalkoftheShipInnbeingacenterforit,butnoonehadeverprovenanythingandmostdidnot
careenoughtopry.ButtosuggestthattheEarlofRedmerewasinvolved…?

“Yes,”heconfirmed,asthoughshehadspokenthewordsaloud.“Mybrotheroverseesasmuggling

operationgoingoutofourlittlevillage.Heusesitasacovertobringininformationandpeopleaswell
as take them over to France. It also means we can bring in goods that we are not meant to have.” He
grinned.“IdidsorelymissFrenchwineuntilwemanagedtogetourhandsonsome.”

Patiencegapedathimforwhatfeltlikemanymoments.Itwassohardtofathom.Natewasnotthis

lackadaisical lord as she had originally assumed—though admittedly she was far from seeing him that
waynow.AndLordRedmere,well,hewaspracticallyapirate!

“Soyousee,littleone,Iknowmuchaboutdanger,andIdonotrecommendittoyou.”
“Butyouwillcontinuetosmuggle?”
“Ofcourse.Aslongasthewarcontinues,wehavearoletoplay.”
“Whydoyouexpectmetobesatisfiedwithdoingnothingthen?WebothknowIshallnotbegivenany

othermissions.ThiswassimplyluckthatIwasallowedalongonthisone.”

“Patience,promisemeyouwillnotgowithher.”Hethrustafingerather.“Promiseme.”
Sheshookherhead.“Icannot.”WhatNatedidnotrealizewasthathisstoryhadnotputheroffthe

ideabuthadpersuadedhertothinkonitmore.Afterall,ifalordcouldbecomeasmuggler,couldayoung
womannotbecomeanexplorer?

ChapterSixteen

Natecouldnotrecalleverfeeling this nervous. Perhaps it was Patience in that dress that was doing it.
MaybeitwasbecauseKnightandDrakehadstillnotarrived.Itcouldhavebeenbecausetheyhadtohave
dinnerwithSirMagnusandsomehowfindawayintohislibrary.HeglancedatPatience.No,mostlyit
wasthedress.Everytimehelookedather,hishandsgrewclammy.

Hetriedtopeeratthepaintingonthewall—ahuntingscene—buthisgazeinevitablytrackedbackto

Patience who was, it seemed, as nervous as he. They had been pacing in the hallway for near on ten
minutes,waitingforhisfriendstoarrive.

Paulinecouldnotbetrustedonherownandasmuchasthehousekeeperwasdeterminedshewould

not escape under her watch, it was unfair to ask the diminutive woman to watch over her. So Nate had
sent word to his brother to ask for some muscle in the form of Knight. The response had been swift,
comingbydirectmessenger.Drake,itseemed,wantedinontheaction.Natesuspecteditwasmoretodo
with wanting to meet this elusive French woman. The damned man could sniff out an attractive woman
fromtwentymilesoff.

HehopedDrakedidnotdoanysniffingaroundPatience.
Damn,thatdress.Whoknewalittlebitoffabricandlacecouldhavesuchaneffect?Ofcourse,itwas

notjustthat.Itwasthewayherhairwascurled,makinghisgazefollowsaidcurlstoherlongneckthen
down,down,downtoherbosom.

Howanymanwasmeanttostaysanearoundsuchabosom,hedidnotknow.Theywerehardenough

toignoreinshirtsbutthesquarednecklineofthegreensilkgownwasdesignedtotantalize.Everytime
Patiencetookabreath,hemarveledathowherbreastsdidnotspillentirelyfromthegarment.

Inshebreathed.Anytimenow,hetoldhimself.Anytimenow,herbreastswouldjustpopout,andyet

they did not. She exhaled and her breasts remained perfectly in place. Whether his sanity lingered was
anotherquestionaltogether.

Patiencetweakedthelaceofhersleeve,clearlyuncomfortableinthedress.Itwasnot,heconcluded,

thefirsttimehehadrealizedtherewassomethinginnatelyattractiveaboutPatience,butitwascertainly
thefirsttimehehadrealizedshewascapableofbeingfeminine.And,intruth,shewouldberathergood
atitifshedidnotfidgetsomuch.Yes,shewasstillsmallanddidnothavethatlongcolumnlikefigureor
waifishwaistsomanywomenhungeredafterbutshewasutterly,andinnatelyappealing.

Since their conversation the other day, they had not talked about Pauline’s offer. He secretly hoped

Patience had forgotten the idea entirely and then any interference would be unnecessary. He could not
allowPatiencetorunoffwithPauline,hesimplycouldnot.

TheknockatthedoorwasawelcomedistractionfromPatience.Ifheremainedinthehallwaywith

herformuchlonger,hewasnotsurewhathewoulddo—somethingextremelyirresponsibleandroguish
mostlikely.

Drake and Knight stood at the door, water dripping from the brims of their hats. A light rain had

startedup,makingthestepsleadingdownfromthehousegleam.Hepeeredaroundthemforanysignof
anothervisitorbuttherewasnone.Natedidnotknowwhethertoberelievedornot.Patiencewouldnot
behappywhenshefoundoutwhathehaddone.

“Youcouldhavewarnedmeaboutthesteps,”Drakesaid,hisgrinbelyinghisgrumblingtone.
Hetappedhislegthatonbaddayswassopainfulhehadtouseacane.Theoldwarinjuryhadended

thecaptain’scareerinthenavyandsethimonthepathofsmuggling.SometimesNatesuspectedDrake
wasbetteratsmugglingthanfollowingordersanyway.

“Yourlegonlyhurtswhenyouwantitto,”Natesaid,steppingasidetoletthetwomenin.“Usually

whenyouneedsympathyfromattractiveladies.”

“Speakingofattractiveladies.”Drake’seyeslituponPatience.
Thecolorinhercheekswasnearcrimson.Drakeremovedhishandandgaveabow.“MissPatience

Grey,whatapleasuretoseeyouinagown.”

Knighthoverednearthedoorway,hisgreathulkseemingtosapthelightfromtheroom.Womenwere

usuallyintimidatedbyhimbutPatienceseemedmoredisconcertedbyDrake’sflatterythanthebeastofa
man.

“YouknowMr.Knight,doyounot?”Nateaskedher.
“Wehaveneverbeenformallyintroduced,”shesaid,purposefullyignoringDrake.
KnightgaveanodofhisheadandNateimaginedthatwastheman’sideaofanintroductionsoheleft

itatthat.

“WhereisthislovelyFrenchbellethen?”Drakeasked.
“Inthedrawingroom.”Natemotionedtothedoor.“Sheistoremaininthehouseandguardedatall

times.Sofarwehavehadnotroublebutwecannotbesurethattheinformationweneediswhereshesaid
itisandIcertainlydonottrusthertostay.”

Drakegrinned.“There’snothingIlikemorethanwatchingawoman’severymove.Youcanrelyonus

toguardher.”

“As long as that is all you do,” Nate warned. If Nate himself had a reputation for enjoying ladies’

company,Drakewasonehundredtimesworse.Buthewouldnotbetrayhisdutyforthesakeofawoman,
Nateknewthatmuch.

“Stop fussing like an old woman and get to that dinner party,” Drake ordered. “We can handle one

womanbetweenus,can’twe,Knight?”

Knightgaveagruntofacknowledgement.
Nateglancedattheclockinthehallway.“Mrs.Rowleyisaroundsomewhere.Shecanfeedandwater

you.We’relate,we’dbettermakehaste.”

Drakenearkickedthemoutofthehouse.TookeentomeetPauline,hereckoned.Butstill,theyneeded

someonetowatchoverher,justuntiltheyknewtheyhadtheinformationandhecouldnotthinkofanyone
elsehetrustedmorethanthem,savefromhisbrother.

TheymadetheirwaydownthestepsandPatienceletoutatinysqueakasherdelicateslipperskidded

onthewetsteps.Natecaughtherbeforeshecouldtumbleandshegrippedhisarms.Herfingersdugin
throughthefabricofhiscoatandhewinced.Toodamnedstrongforagirl.

“Theseshoesaretoobig,”shemutteredasshestraightenedherself.
Nate offered her an arm and escorted her down the rest of the steps. “Did you borrow those from

Pauline?”

“Yes.IsupposeIshouldbeashamedthatahomeless,countrylesswomanhasmoreclothingthanIdo.”
Nateshrugged.“Somewomenarepreoccupiedwithclothes,whileothersare…arewell…”
“Preoccupiedwithcompetingwiththeirbrothers?”shesuggested.
Hechuckled.“AndIthinktryingtobestone’sbrothersismoreimportantthanclothing.”
Thecarriagehehadorderedfortheoccasionawaitedthemattheendofthesteps.Raindrippedfrom

thedriver’scoatandhat.Hegavethemasourlook.“I’vebeen‘ere‘alfanhouralready.”

“Andyoucanchargemeextraforthathalfanhour,”Nateoffered.
The man’s grumpy countenance changed swiftly and he straightened in his seat. “We’d best be off

then.”

NateaidedPatienceintothecarriageandthevehiclesetoffbeforehehadevenmanagedtositdown.

Hetumbledontotheseatoppositeher.Oncehehadsettledmorecomfortablyhebitbackagroanofregret.
Thelitlanternsonthesideofthecarriagewarmedtheinsideofthevehicleenoughsothathecouldfully
admirePatience.

Itwasnotasthoughhedidnotlikeadmiringherbuthecertainlydidnotneedthedistraction.Every

timetheyhitarut—andthatseemedtobeeverysecond—herbreastsmovedagainsttheconfinesofthat
blasteddress.

Hedrewinabreathandforcedhisgazetothespotbehindherhead.Therewasnothingofnotethere

butatleasttherewerenobreaststoogle.

“Knightisquitethebrutishsortofman,ishenot?”
Nate nodded. Knight. Yes, that was the sort of topic he could talk on. There was nothing remotely

attractiveorappealingaboutthatman.

“He’satoughfellow.Goodtohaveonone’sside.”
“Andyoumethimthroughyourbrother?”
“Yes.Redbroughthimonboardtohelp.He’sthefaceoftheoperation.It’susefultohavesomeone

intimidating—meansnoonewillaskquestions.”

“Eveniftheydid,Idoubtanyonewouldeversuspectyouoryourbrotherofbeinginvolved.Asfor

Drake…”

“Yes,he’sascoundrel,butagoodscoundrel.”Hechuckled.“He’sourscoundrelIsupposeiswhatI

shouldsay.”

“That’sonewaytoputit.”SheleanedforwardandNatebitbackagroan.“SohowdowegetintoSir

Magnus’library?”

Forcing his gaze from her cleavage, he looked into her eyes. “Perhaps you can use your feminine

charms?”

Patiencesnorted.“Wewouldbemorelikelytosucceedusingyours.”

ChapterSeventeen

“Wellthatwasathoroughwasteoftime.”Patiencegrimacedatthecold,dampevening.Theircarriage
wasnowheretobeseen.Apparentlytheirdriverwasstillannoyedatthemforbeinglatetodepartand
haddecidedtoteachthemalesson.“IcannotbelieveIworeadressforthat.”

Natepeeredupanddowntheroad.“Ifit’sofanycomfort,youlookedbeautiful.”
Patienceopenedhermouthandclosedit.
“Youstilldo,evenwithyourhairwiltingintherain.”
Shegavehisarmatap.“Ihaveneverbeenbeautiful—youdonotneedtoflatterme.”
“Idonotneedto,butIwishto.”
Nate should have bit his tongue in half to stop himself but he could not. Now was not the time for

flattery or flirtation. They had wasted an entire evening listening to Magnus and his friends talk of
businessandsociety,andonlytheonementionofPauline.Magnushadconfidedthathehadtiredofher
andwasonthelookoutforanotherladybutthemoretimespentinMagnus’company,themoreNatewas
convincedthatMagnuswasnotinterestedinamistressatallandwassimplyusingthemasacoverforhis
truetastes.

The warm glow of lanterns drew his attention to the inn nearby. He motioned to it. “Let us wait in

there.Ihavelittleintentionofreturningtothedinnerparty.”Hepaused.“Besides,itmightdotowait.”

Patiencepeeredathim.“You’replotting.”
“Yes.”Hegrinnedandledheracrosstheroadtotheinn.“Yes.Weshallwait.AndonceMagnusis

abed,weshallsneakintohishouseandfindthatinformation.”

“Youwanttobreakintohishouse?”
“Whynot?”
Patienceshookherheadindisbelief.“Well,itisbetterthanattendinganymoredinnerparties,Ishall

giveyouthat.”

Natemanagedtofindthemaseatnearthewindow.Ifheleanedaroundandpeeredthroughthemurky

glass,hecouldseethelanternslitinthelowerwindowsofMagnus’house.Withanylucktheycouldwait
untilhewasasleepandslipinsomehow.

Thankfullytheinnwasquietwithonlyafewtravelersstoppinginbriefly.Natenursedanalewhile

Patiencesippedonsomewinethatmadehercurluphernoseandlookfartooadorable.

Adorable.Listentohim.Hesoundedlikealittlegirleyeingupalitterofpuppies.
They waited over two hours. Patience kept suppressing yawns and the innkeeper kept eyeing them

withannoyance,consideringtheyhadnursedthesamedrinkstheentiretime.Natewastemptedtoorder
another but they had drunk wine and brandy at Magnus’ and he wanted his head to remain clear. If
someoneputanotheraleinfrontofhim,itwasverylikelyhe’ddrinkthewholedamnedthing.

“Nate,”Patiencehissedexcitedly.“Thelightsareout.”
Hepeeredoutofthewindowandnodded.“Theyare.Butwehadbetterwaitawhilelongertoensure

heisabedandtheservantsaren’taround.”

Patience scowled but nodded. The damned woman was certainly keen to get involved in illegal

activity.AnyotherwomanwouldberunningtothehillsbutherewasPatiencereadytohitchupherskirts
andbreakdowndoors.

Hegrinnedatthementalimageanddrainedhisale,decidingthelastdropwouldnothurt.Heplaceda

coinonthetableinthehopesofmakingupfornotdrinkingenoughfortheinnkeeper’slikingandmotioned
forPatiencetofollow.

They made their way across the road and up the side of the house. Nate tested one of the cellar

windows to no avail. The door that led into the back of the house was no good either. Completely
shadowedindark,therearofthebuildingofferednootherwaystoenter.

Natestilledwhensomethingrustlednearby.Patiencesmackedintohisbackwithanoof.
“Shh,”hesaid.
“A fox or something,” she said. “Come on, let us try there.” She motioned to the window on the

secondfloorthathehadbeenignoring.Itwasslightlyajarbutwouldneedtobeforcedopen.

“Toohigh.”
“Icanclimb.Justgivemeaboostup.”
He shook his head again but she was already making her way over to the window. She eyed the

drainpipe that ran up the side of the building then bent to twist her skirts up. She tied them in a bunch
aroundherthighs.

“Paulineisnotgoingtobeimpressed,”hehissed.
Patiencewavedawayhiswordsandnoddedtothecornerofthepipewhereithookedontothewall.

“LiftmeupandIcanclimbfromthere.”

Natesighed.Therewasnofightingheronthisandhecouldn’tthinkofanyotherwayofgettingin.If

he climbed the pipe, it would likely give way under his weight. He only hoped nothing happened to
Patienceorhewouldneverforgivehimself.

Norwouldherbrothers.He’dbeluckytoretainhisballsifhelethercometoharm.
Hebentandliftedherupontooneshoulder.Fromthereshehookedherarmsaroundthepipeandone

footintothewall-attachment.Hegrimacedasmetalcreakedbuttherewasnocrashasthepipesgaveway
orthudasPatiencefell.Insteadshemadeherwayupthepipewiththeeaseofayoungboyclimbingatree
andreachedovertoeaseopenthewindow.

Hisheartremainedinhismouththeentiretimeassheleanedouttopullitopen.Afterthreetries,he

was ready to call this whole debacle off but the window finally popped open. She shimmied in and
vanished.

Natehadtoresistthedesiretopace.Whatifsomeonecaughther?Whatifshegothurt?
“Nate.”
HepeereduptoseePatienceleaningoutofthewindow.Shethrewsomethingdowntohimandittook

himamomenttorealizeshe’dflungdownasilkenrope.Hescowledandtuggedonit.Itfeltsecurebut
wherethedevilhadshefoundarope?

“If I fall on my arse, I’ll throttle her,” he muttered, before using the rope to pull himself up to the

window.

Patiencehelpedhaulhiminandhepausedoncehewasonhisfeettogatherhisbreath.
“Wherethehelldidyoufindthis?”Heliftedtherope.
“Fromthebed.”Shemotionedtotheheavycurtainsarounditandhenotedseveralotherlonglengths

ofsilkropeholdingbackthefabric.Patiencehadtiedtwotogetherandloopeditaroundtheheavybed.

“AfinejobI’mnotheavier.”
“Iknewitwouldholdyou,”shewhispered.
“Agoodthingthiswasn’tMagnus’roomeither,”hegrumbled.
“JustbecauseIcouldclimbupandyoucouldnotdoesnotmeanyouneedtobegrumpywithme.”She

grabbedhishand.“Come,letusfindthedocumentsandbegonebeforewearefound.”

Henoddedandusedthegriponherhandtoforceherbackbehindhim.Hewasdonewithwatching

Patiencetakerisks.“I’lltakethelead.”

She rolled her eyes but complied. Nate eased open the bedroom door and peered up and down the

dark hallway. They slipped out, observed only by the portraits of ancient and not-so-ancient ancestors.
Natehadalreadyvisitedthelibrarytwiceforbrandysoheknewthewaywellenough,evenifitwasnot
soeasytofindinthedark.HeledPatiencedownstairsandthroughthedrawingroom.Theembersinthe
fire still lingered, and for that he uttered up a prayer of thanks. It meant navigating the room that was
crowdedwithfurniturewasnottoodifficult.

Heopenedonedoor,thenclosedit,realizinghismistake.“Thisone.”
Motioningtotheotherdoor,hehastenedover,Patiencestillinhand.Keentogettotheshadowsofthe

library,theyslippedinswiftlyandsheshutthedoorwithcaution.

Foratownhouse,Magnus’abodeboastedadecentsizedlibrary.Bookshelvestouchedtheceilingsand

theroomoccupiednearlyhalfofthegroundfloor.Alargewindowatoneendreleasedagentleglowfrom
thelitlanternsoutsideandthefirehadnotbeenputoutinhereeithersoitwasnottoohardtofindtheir
wayaround.Howeasyitwouldbetofindthebook,however,wasanothermatter.

“Voltaire,”heremindedPatience.
Shepeeredupatthebooks.“Wheredowestart?”
“Maybetheyarealphabetized.”
She moved to the first bookcase and peered at the title. “No, it looks like it might be by subject

matter.”Shetracedthespineofoneofthebookswithafinger.“Thislookstobethegeographysection.”

“Hemusthaveafictionsectionsomewhere.”
“Youstartthere.”Shepointedtotheoppositewall.“We’llmeetinthemiddle.”
Natenoddedandsquintedatthetitlesinthefirstbookcase.“History,”hemurmured.
“Philosophyhere.”
He scanned several more titles and moved onto the next bookcase. The man had far too much non-

fiction if you asked him. Where were all the exciting tales of action and adventure? Although, after
tonight, he did not know if he wanted any more action and adventures. A relaxing cup of tea would be
nice.HeglancedatPatience.Withawonderfulwomanathisside,perhaps?

Heshookhishead.Agereallywascatchingupwithhim.
“Nate,”shehissed.“Overhere.”
Hehurriedover.Shemotionedtothebooks.“Look,Chaucer,Defoe…ohGulliver’sTravels.They’re

notinalphabeticalorderthough.”

Grimacing, he nodded. “You start at the bottom.” On tiptoes, he scanned the titles. He must have

lookedatfiftyorsobeforePatienceletoutasqueak.

“Shh.”
“I’vefoundit.”Shepulledoutthebookandstood.
Heyankedopentheboundleatherandlettheairinhislungsrelease.
“It’sthedocuments,isitnot?”sheasked,pressingherselfagainsthiminanticipation.
“I think so.” He pulled out the first letter—orders, he suspected, and a list of French names. The

secondwasamap.“Thismustbeit.Paulinewasn’tlying.”

“Comeon,justtakethebookandwecanchecktherestlater.”
“Letusslipoutthereardoor.Idon’tmuchfancyanymoreclimbingfortheday.”
“Coward.”Shejabbedhimwithanelbow.
“Ow.”Naterubbedhisribs.“It’smoretodowithnotwishingtoseeyouclimbagain.Itwasthemost

terrifyingthingIhaveeverwitnessed.”

“Whyshouldmeclimbingbeterrifying?”
“Because I thought you were going to break your neck,” he declared. “I do not know what I would

havedoneifyouhad.”

“Oh.”
At that moment, he wished for more light. Or for them to be elsewhere. To see her expression

properly and understand fully what that one syllable had meant. Did she like that he cared for her
welfare?

Hetookherhandagainandtriednottomarvelathowperfectlyherfingersslippedintohis.Ifthere

was ever a time not to marvel over such trivial things, it was certainly when one was breaking into a
houselikeathief.

ChapterEighteen

Patience’s stomach felt like it was churning with bees. Except perhaps that was not right because bees
wouldbeuncomfortableandthiswasmoreofawonderful,buzzingfeelingthatmadeherlimbswarmand
her breathing quicken. Much of it was to do with the fact they were standing in a house, without the
knowledgeoftheowner,havingscaledawallandfoundalltheinformationtheyneeded.Alotmoreofit
wasalsotodowithNateholdingherhandandtellingherhewouldhatetoseehercometoharm.

Nateturnedthehandleonthelibrarydoorandstilled.Patiencescowled.
“Whatisit?”
Heputafingertohislipsandsheclampedherlipstogether.Easingthedooropenfarther,theyboth

leanedintothegaptolisten.Shewasn’tsurewhatNateheardbuttherewasdefinitelyfootstepscoming
theirway.Shepeeredaroundthelibrary.Therewerenooksandcranniescoveredinshadowbutnowhere
tohidetwopeople.

Someonegiggled.Thentherewasadeepervoice.Comingfromthehallway,shesuspected.Perhaps

theywouldnotcometheirway.

Adooropened.Natereactedbeforeshecouldfathomwhatwashappening.Hetuggedheroutofthe

libraryandintothedrawingroom.Thenheopenedthedoorhehadoriginallytriedandshovedherintoit.
Hefollowedherinandclosedthedoorbehindthem.

Darknessswallowedher.Sheblinkedintogloomtotrytogetherbearings.Whensheputoutahand,

she felt something cold—glass perhaps. If she felt the other way, there were more of the same objects.
Winebottles,sherealized.Thishadtobethewinestore.

She twisted into Nate. There was nothing cold here. Her hand landed on his chest and she felt the

erraticbeatofhisheart.Ashereyesadjustedtothedarkness,shecouldmakeoutthelineofhisshoulders
andseetheshelvingaroundthem.Thatwasaboutit,however.

Adooropenedandthevoicesenteredtheroom.PatienceinstantlyrecognizedthebaritoneofMagnus

butthegigglefromthewomanwasnotfamiliar.Andsheseemedtogigglealot.

“Oh,sir.”Anothergiggle.
Patience shifted and turned so that she could see through the crack in the door. Nate followed suit,

pressinghimselfbehindhersohecouldseeoverherhead.

Sheblinkedandpeeredharder.
“I’llbedamned,”Natewhispered.
She did recognize the woman in Magnus’ arms. One of the serving girls. That was why he had not

beeninterestedinPauline.Hewasindulginghimselfelsewhereandhavingamistresswasacover.

Thewoman’sworkdresshadbeenpusheddownoneshoulder.Magnuslavishedkissesalongherbare

skinwhilefumblinghishandupunderherskirts.Patiencegrewawareofthethuddingofherheartpicking
upspeed.Herskingrewhot.

MagnusbrokeawayfromthewomanandmovedoutofPatience’sview.Itwaswickedofher,butshe

wasdisappointed.Sheshouldnot,butshewantedtoseemore.

WhenMagnusreturnedtothewomanwithaglassofbrandy,Patiencerealizedhowclosetheywereto

beingspotted.Whatifhedecidedtogetabottleofwine?

Her fears faded when the woman drained the brandy and cast the glass aside before taking Magnus

intoherarms.Herfaceapictureofecstasy,Magnuskissedhiswaydownherneckandbackup.Hishands

beganroamingoncemore,firstpressingagainstherbreasts,thendowntobunchupherskirts.Hepressed
hishandunderneaththelayersandthemaidreleasedamoan.

“Ihavebeenwaitingalleveningforthis,”Magnussaidagainsthercheek.
“Well,youinsistonhostingdinnerpartiesallthetime.”
“Ihavetokeepupappearances.”
“Byhavingamistresstoo?”themaiddemanded,pullingbackforamoment.
“She’s gone now, you know that. I sent her on her way. There is no one else but you for me.” He

movedhishandagainstthewoman’sthighsandhereyesflutteredclosedandshetiltedherheadback.

Whetherwhathesaidwastrue,Patiencethought,shedidnotknow,butthemaiddidnotseemtomind.
Behindher,Nategrewfidgety.Hisbodypressedintohers,hischesthardandunrelentingandhisheart

beating fiercely against her back. The same discomfort was beginning to envelop her. She wanted to
writheagainsthim.

Andthatwaswhensheunderstood…Natewasaroused.Hiserectionlayhardagainstherback.She

movedintoitslightly,tobesure,andabarelyaudiblegroanescapedhim.Thespectacleinfrontofher
begantoloseitsappeal.Sheturnedtofacehimwithbarelyaninchseparatingthem.

The darkness had not eased. She still only saw his outline but it was enough. She heard his heavy

breaths and knew he was feeling as she was. One of his hands came up to cup her cheek. The sudden,
sweetwarmthofitstartledherandshehadtobiteherliptopreventherselffrommakingasound.

She skimmed both hands up his arms, reveling in the taut, strong feel of his muscles underneath his

dinnerjacket.Sheletthemrestonhisupperarmsandfeltthemusclesflexashereachedwithhisother
handtopullherfirmagainsthim.

Herheartpoundedlikecannonfireinherears.Somewhereinthedistancewerethegruntsandcriesof

lovemakingbutshecouldhardlypaythemanyattention,notwhenshewasflatagainstNate,practically
sightlessandabletofeel.Every.Little.Thing.

Fromtheheatofhisbreathtothewarmthofhispalm,shefeltitall.Itwasunlikeanythingshehad

everexperiencedbefore.

“Patience,”hemurmured.
Patience.Eventhewayhesaidhernamemadehershudderwithpleasure.Ifshethoughtitcouldnot

getanybetter,hebroughthislipstohers.Inthedark,shehadbeenunabletopredictthemovementandthe
fissionitsentdownherspine,allthewaytoherborrowedslippers,madehertrembleinhisarms.

Lipsslightlyparted,shelethimtaketheleadashemovedhissoft,warmmouthoverhers.Everyinch

ofhertingledandhernipplespressedhardagainstherstaysinprotestoftheirconfinement.Shemoved
intohim,rubbingherselfagainsthiminabidtogainsomerelief.

Arumblingsoundrosefromhisthroatandhepressedthekissharder,thistimeslippinghistongueinto

hermouth.Shemethistonguewithherownandtrembledagain.Hekissedheroverandover,deeperand
harder.Allshecoulddowastaketheonslaughtandsurrenderherselftothesensationspouringoverher.
LordNathanielKingsleywaskissingher.Her!PatienceGrey,thestrangegirlwhoworebreeches.

Alargecryfromoutsidefollowedbyagroanbrokethemoment.Natedrewaway,hisbreathsheavy.

Hekeptherclosewhiletheybothsuckedingulpsofairinthewarmstoragecupboard.Perspirationclung
toherskin.

Natepeeredoutofthegapinthedoorbutshedidnottrytoturn.Shewaited,flatagainsthim,takingin

everythingthathadjusthappened.Afterawhiletherewasthesoundofadoorclosingandshehearda
muffleddeclarationofMagnustakingthemaidtobed.TheywaitedawhilelongerbeforeNateopenedthe
doorandtookherhandoncemore.

Heescortedthemsilentlythroughthehouseandslippedoutofthereardoorandintothegardens.The

roperemainedswingingfromthewindowandifshe’dthoughtaboutit,shewouldhavetakenitdownbut
evenifMagnusnoticed,theyhadtakennothingofimportance—atleastnottohisknowledge.

Oncetheywerewellawayfromthehouse,NatepausedandtookPatienceinhisarms.Hekissedher

onthelipsonce.

“Wedidit.”
“Yes,wedid,”sheagreed,pickinguponNate’sinfectiousgrin.
Thecarriagehadobviouslynevertriedtocomeforthemastheydidnotspotitontheirjourneyhome.

Thankfully the walk was not hard, even in her borrowed slippers, and the rain had eased off to a light
drizzle.Herhairhadlikelybeenruinedbytheirencounterinthewinestoresoatleastshehadanexcuse
forherunseemlystate.

Hand in hand they made their way to the house. The excitement swirling in her stomach had yet to

abateandshedidnotthinkitwouldforalongwhileyet.TheyhadcompletedtheirmissionandNathaniel
Kingsley had kissed her. She could not say what that meant but she had little inclination to study it at
present. For the time being she was going to enjoy the memory of a time she had reveled in being a
woman.

Lampsstillglowedinthewindowsofthehouse.Nate’sfriendshadlikelyoptedtoremainuptowatch

overPaulineuntiltheirreturn.Joycewasupstilltooassheopenedthedoorandbegantuttingovertheir
dampstate.

“Thosedriversareterrible.Theyaresoimpatient,”shesaid.“They’llneverwaitforanyone.Letme

takeyourcoats.”Sheheldoutherhandsastheyunbuttonedtheircoats.“Oh,wehavemorevisitors!Your
brother,MissPatience!”

Patiencescowled.“Jacob?”
“Yes,that’stheone.”Joycesmiled.“Hesaidyouwouldbesurprisedtoseehim.”
“Iam,Ithoughthewouldstillbeabed,nursinghisleg.”
“Well,helooksinfinehealthtome,”Joycesaid.
WhatwasJacobdoinghere?PatiencehandedherpelissetoJoyceandstrodeintothedrawingroom.

Sureenough,herbrothersatnexttoPauline,hislegproppeduponafootstoolwithacupofteainhand.
KnightandDrakestoodnearthefireplace,bothlookingasthoughtheywerestillonguard.

Hegrinnedwhenhesawher.“Patience!Christ,you’rewearingadress.”
“Yes,Jacob,Iam,”shesaidtightly.“Whatareyoudoinghere?Shouldyounotberesting?”
“Well,thedoctorsaidIwasrecoveredenoughtobeginwalkingaboutagain.Saidtheexercisewould

domegood.”

“Iamcertainhelikelymeantastrolldowntotheharbor,andnotatriptoFalmouth.”
Nateenteredtheroom,thebookstillclutchedinhishand.Paulinesmiledwhenshesawit.
“Youfoundthebookthen,”sheasked.“Andwitheverythinginit.SeeIwasnotlying.”
“Yes,wehaveit,”Natesaid.
“Excellentnews.”Herbrothereasedhimselfupandlimpedover.“MayI?”
Natehandedoverthebook,albeitreluctantly.Patiencefeltthesame.Thiswastheirdiscovery,their

work.Shedidnotmuchfeellikegivingittoherbrother.

Jacobleafedthroughtheinformation,hisexpressiongrowingmoreexcitedbythemoment.“Perfect,

perfect.”Hemurmured.“Well,thegoodnewsis,Ihavecometorescueyou.”

“Recuseme?”Patienceasked.
“Yes.Youcanallreturnhome.PaulinehasagreedtoaccompanymetoTruro.Fromthereweshallbe

settingherupwithsomeprotectionandIshallgetthisinformationtakentoLondon.”

Patience glanced at Pauline who rolled her eyes. Somehow she suspected Pauline would not need

protection.Thewomanhadmorewitthanmostmenputtogether.

“Youdidnotneedtocome,”Patienceprotested.“Wehaditallinhand.”
“AsIcansee.”JacobclappedNateontheback.“Youdidafinejoboflookingaftermylittlesister,

evenifsheisalittledamp.Excellentgown,though.Youalmostlooklikealady,Patience.”

Shegavehimahard,longglarethenswiveledonhertoes.“Iamgoingupstairstochange.”
Slammingthedoorshutbehindher,sheheardherbrotheraskNatewhatonearthhehaddonewrong.
Everything,shethoughtasshestompedupstairs.Hehadcometostealhermoment.Hehadteasedher

infrontofeveryone.HehadassumedNatehaddoneallthework.Noneofthemwouldeverseeheras
morethanthetiny,silly,PatienceGreywhocoulddonothingwithoutthehelpofaman.Sheswipedaway
atearoffrustrationandslammedthebedroomdoorshut.

ChapterNineteen

Patience hardly knew what to say to Nate on the journey home. What could she say? Sorry you were
draggedintothisandwastedyourtimewhilemybrothergetstotakeallthecredit?Actually,Iquite
enjoyedyourcompanyafterall?AndperhapsIwaswrongandyou’renotsuchabadmanafterall?
Wouldyouliketospendmoretimewithme?

Sheshookherhead.No,therewasnothingmoretobesaidsosheremainedquietwhilethecarriage

rolledacrossthebumpyroadthatranalongthecoastline.

Drake appeared disappointed to leave Falmouth. Perhaps more because he did not wish to leave

Pauline.Thehandsomecaptainhadperfectedasortofmasculinesulkeversincetheyhadpackedupand
departed. Patience had to admit to being quite intrigued by Pauline’s effect on men. It was certainly
somethingtobehold.

ShecouldnotdenybeingenviousofPaulineandhowcomfortableshewasusingherwomanlywiles

to get through life. Not that Patience wanted to use what little wiles she had or was even interested in
affectingmenbuttobesocomfortableinone’sownbodywasquitesomething.

IfKnightwasdisappointedtoleavewithoutcompletingthemission,hedidnotrevealit.Eyesclosed,

arms folded, he remained perfectly still, even as the carriage tossed them about like toy dolls being
playedwithbyachild.Themanwaslikearockthatneitherweathernortimecouldmove.

Patiencetiltedherheadandeyedhisscarredface.SheknewlittleofMr.LewisKnighteventhoughhe

hadbeenlivinginPenshallowforseveralyears.Shedidnotevenknowwhereheresided.Mostofthe
timehecouldbefoundintheShipInnwhichwasoutofboundsforawomanlikeher.Someofthewomen
saidhewasacriminal,ontherunfromthelaw,butsurelynot.Natehadsaidnothingofacriminalpast
evenifwhattheyweredoingnowwasnotexactlylegal.

The carriage hit a particularly big rut and Nate’s shoulder bumped into hers. “Forgive me,” he

murmured.

TheirgazesconnectedandPatiencewassureherheartnearlyjumpedfromherthroat.Hisblueeyes

werealittledarkerthanusual,probablybecauseofthegloomyconfinesofthecarriage.Eitherway,they
seemed to reach deep down inside her and twist her stomach into a tangle of knots. If she looked hard
enough,shewascertaintherewasanunspokenmessagethere.

Whatitwas,however,shedidnotknow.IfonlyshewaslikePaulineandunderstoodmen.Forallher

timetryingtopretendtobeone,shestillhadlittleideahowtheyactuallythought—particularlyonelike
Nate,whowasfarmorecomplexthanhisarrogantexteriorwouldhaveonebelieve.

She looked away, her cheeks hot, and focused on peering through the clouded and slightly mud-

splatteredwindow.

“Ihaveaskedmydrivertostopatyourhousefirst.”
Forcedtolookathimagain,shenodded.“Excellent.”
A pang of dread speared her stomach. The house would be empty apart from her mother who had

likelyhardlynoticedshewasgone.Hermomentofexcitementandadventurewasover.Nowwhatwould
shedo?

Neverbeforehadshelongedforajourneytotakemoretimeorforsomethinglikeabrokenwheelto

befall them. Unfortunately, nothing delayed them and they arrived outside her house by mid-afternoon.
KnightpeeledhiseyesopenlongenoughtonodhisfarewellwhilstDrakegaveheragrinandawinkand

toldherhehopedhewouldseeheragainsoon.

Patience hardly knew how to respond to his flirtatious manner that seemed to be his default so she

merelysmiledbeforetakingNate’sprofferedhandandexitingthecarriage.

Asherfoothittheshingledpathinfrontofthehouse,thefrontdooropened.Shehadtotakeamoment

tocomprehendwhothemanstandinguponthedoorstepwas.

“Harry!”
Hereldestbrother,andtheheadofthefamily,beamedatherandrusheddownthestepstogreether.

Nate stepped back so that Harry could embrace her. Patience found herself enveloped in her brother’s
hold,barelyabletobreathebutfartoohappytocomplainaboutit.

Hefinallysteppedbackandshecranedhernecktoviewhim.Warhadagedhimalittle,makingthe

creasesalonghisforeheaddeeperandpepperinghishairwithstrandsofwhite.Otherthanthat,helooked
ingoodhealthandthesameashehadalwaysbeen.

“Whendidyoureturn?”shedemanded.
“Onlytwodaysago.I’mtoremainfortwomonthsandlikelyheadbackouttoSpainafterthat.”
Herheartdroppedalittlebutitwasnothingnew.Herbrotherhadbeencomingandgoingoutofher

lifeeversincehegothiscommission.Atleasttheywouldhavealittletimetogether.

HarryturnedhisattentiontoNateandofferedoutahand.“Nate,ithasbeenawhile.IhearIamto

offermycongratulations.”

Natetookherbrother’shandandthrewherapuzzledlook.“Uh...”
“Mothertoldmeallaboutit,”heexplainedtoPatience.“Ifwehurrythingsalong,wecanhaveyou

wedbeforeIleave.There’snothingIwouldlikemorethantoseemysistertakencareof.”

PatiencepeeredatHarryforamoment.Whatonearthhadhermothersaid?SheknewPatiencewasn’t

goingtomarryanyone,letaloneNate.

“Everyoneisveryhappyforyou,Patience.”Harrygrinned.“Ofcourseafewweresurprised.Idid

notevenknowyoutwowerefriends.”

“Well,itwasverysudden,”shefoundherselfsaying.
“Allthatmattersisthatyouarehappy.”
Shegulped.Neverhadherbrotherlookedsoproudofher,sopleasedandhappy.Haditbeenplaguing

himthathissisterwasnottakencareofbyanotherman?

“Um,yes.Iam.”
Nateliftedhiseyebrowsbutsaidnothing.
“Youmustbeweary.Willyoucomeinforamoment,Nate?Wehavealottodiscuss.”
Nate shook his head. “I had better return home.” He motioned to the carriage where Drake was

peeringout,tryinghisbesttoappearlikehewasnotlisteningatall.“Iamnotalone.ButIshallcallon
PatiencetomorrowifIhaveyourpermission,Harry?Thenwecandiscussthingsfully.”HegavePatience
apointedlook.

She grimaced inwardly. Who knew how her brother had come up with the idea they were truly

engagedbutforthelifeofhershecouldnotbringherselftocorrecthim,notwhenheappearedsohappy.
Shewouldputhimtorights,ofcourse.Justnotyet.

Notyet.
Not whilst he was beaming at her. Apparently the only thing she ever needed to do to win her

brother’spridewastogetmarried.

Natebidthemfarewellandshestoodbyherbrother’ssidetowatchthecarriagedepart.WhenNate

returnedtomorrow,shewouldlethimknowthatshewouldrectifythis.Shecertainlywouldn’tholdhimto
amarriagethathadbeenintendedasnothingmorethanacover.Orthatanyoneasidefromaselectfew
weremeanttoknowabout.

“Harry,whenyousayeveryoneishappyforme,whatdidyoumean?”

Hegrinned.“Thewholevillageistalkingofit.Ithinktheyarelikelyassurprisedasmebuttheysayif

anyonecantameLordNathanielKingsley,itisyou.”

Shesighed.“Iamnotatallsureheistamable.”
Herbrotherpausedonthefirststepintothehouse.“Patience,areyouhappy?Didhetreatyouwell

during your time away? Mother said you were doing something of great importance but could tell me
little.”

“Whereismotheranyway?”
“Inthedrawingroom,ofcourse.”
“Of course.” She put a hand to Harry’s arm. “It is good to have you home. All is well, I promise.

Now,Imustspeakwithmother.”

Shestrodeintothehouse,easedopenthedoortothedrawingroomandcloseditgentlybehindher.

Her mother sat as though she had never moved from her position by the window, except now she was
paintingsomethingelse—aharebythelooksofit,setagainstlushgreengrass.

“Mama.”Sheapproachedslowly,awarethatifshejoltedhermotheroutof‘themoment’assheliked

tocallit,shewouldnotgetawordofsense.

Her mother held up a finger then pressed it to pursed lips while studying the bare bones of her

painting.Shadesofbrownandgreenstainedherfingertipsandapronandtherewereafewstreaksupon
hercheeks.HerhairwasruffledandwildandPatiencedetectedafewpaint-tingedstrands.

Finally, her mother turned her attention to Patience. She lowered the brush into a jar on the

windowsillandsmiled.“Alldonethen?”Sheopenedherarmsforanembrace.

Patience nodded and bent to hug her mother. “All done. Did Jacob tell you he was to join me in

Falmouth?”

“Hementionedsomething.Ithoughtheneededmoretimetorestbuthesaidhecouldhobbleabout.He

missedHarry’sarrivalhome,unfortunately.”

“Yes, it seems he could manage,” Patience said, biting back a sigh. If only he had waited a little

longer.TheycouldhavefinishedthemissionthemselvesandexplainedtoHarrythatshewasneverreally
engagedtoNate.

Patiencedrewoverachairandsatitnexttohermother’s.Slingingbothlegsoverit,sherestedher

arms upon the back and fixed her mother with a look. “Mama, did you tell Harry I was engaged to
NathanielKingsley?”

Sheblinkedather.“Well,youare,areyounot?”
“No,ofcoursenot.”Patiencepinchedthebridgeofhernose.“Mama,itwaspretend,remember?”
Acreaseappearedbetweenhermother’sbrows.“Wasit?”
“Yes.Itwasacover.”
Mamatiltedherhead.“Areyousure?Youlooksomuchlikeawomaninlove?”
“OfcourseIamsure.”
Hermothershrugged,sendingherlaceshawlslippingfromhershoulders.Patiencestoodandhelped

herreadjustit.Mamapattedherhand.

“He’sahandsomemanandalittlewild.IthinkIlikethatforyou.Betterthansomestaidoldgrump

whowouldstickyouinsilkandfeathers.”

Patiencelaughed.“IdonotthinkIwouldletanymanstickmeinsilkandfeathers,thoughIdidweara

dresstwice.”

“Ohindeed?Didyoulikeit?”
“Onceperhaps.”AtouchofwarmthspreadintohercheeksatthememoryofhowNatehadlookedat

her.ForthefirsttimeinherlifeshehadunderstoodalittleofwhatPaulineexperiencedeveryday.There
waspowerinfemininity.Beingawomandidnotalwayshavetomeanbeingweak.

Hermotherpeeredupather.“Areyousureyouarenotinlove?”

“Verysure,Mama.HowcouldIbe?Ihardlyknowtheman.”
“Whatashame.Heissoveryhandsome.”
“Youknowhandsomeisnotenoughforme.”
“ThatIdo.Shallyoutellyourbrother?Hewasquitehappytohearyouhadanoffer.Youknowhow

thesemenworryaboutuslookingafterourselves.”

“Ishalltellhimsoon,”Patiencevowed.
ShejusthadtofindawaytobreakthenewswithoutdisappointingHarry.Hehadlookedafterthemall

sincehewasfiveandten.Itwasquiteanundertakingwithfourbrothersandonesister.Thelastthingshe
wantedtodowasupsethim,butshecouldhardlyholdNatetoafakemarriage,couldshe?

No.
Shegavehermotherakissonthecheek.“Iamgoingtowashandchange.Pleasedonotsayanything

moretoHarry.Ishallsolvethisproblem.”

“Itisonlyaproblemifyoumakeitone,dear.”
Patienceshookherheadandlefthermothertoherpainting.Howshecouldthinkthatanengagement

thatwasnotreallyanengagementwasnotaproblem,shedidnotknow.Ofcoursetherewastheissuethat
thewholevillageseemedtothinktheyweretobewedtoo.ShewouldhavetogetNatetocallitoff,soto
speak.Certainly,shewouldbepitiedbyeveryoneandinsomeeyes,ruined,butshehadnevercaredmuch
fortheideaofmarriageandhersuitorswerehardlyliningupatthedoortopropose.LetNatesavehis
prideandbreakthingsoff—thatwasthebestwayofdealingwithit.

ShejusthopedHarrydidnottakeoffenseandfeeltheneedtocallhimout.
Patiencepausedoutsidethedrawingroomandpressedherbackagainstthedoor.Ohwhatapickle

thiswas.

ChapterTwenty

“LittleasIdonotwishtointerfereinyourlife—”

“Since when?” Nate snapped, folding away the newspaper and glaring at his brother over the

breakfasttable.

“IamnotatallsurewhereyougotthisideathatIamdeterminedtomanageyoureverymove.”
Nate pushed aside his plate, unable to find his appetite and put the newspaper down beside it.

“Becauseyoualwayshave.”

“No.” Red pointed a finger at him. “You think that I have. There’s a difference between wanting to

remain informed when your brother decides to go through with a faux engagement and managing your
brother’s life. Were I intent on managing it, I would have ridden to Falmouth and seen whether these
rumorsweretrueornot.”

“Well,they’renot,Icanassureyouofthat.Itwasallamisunderstanding.Whatwasmeanttobeajoke

andarusehassomehowturnedintotherealthing.”

Redshookhisheadandsighed.“Youshallhavetogethertocallitoff.Youcannotverywellruinthe

poorgirl,especiallywhenitisprobablyyourfaulttherumorstarted.”

“Howisitmyfault?”
“Someonemusthaveoverheardyoujokingaboutit.”
Damn,itwasnotthefirsttimehisactionshadcomebacktobitehimonthearseanditwouldnotbe

thelastnodoubt.

“I’mtovisitwithPatienceandherbrothertoday.Ishallensureshewishestobreakitofftheninform

Harrythat,alas,hissisterdoesnotthinkIamgoodenoughforherandthatwillbethat.”

“You’renot,”Redmuttered,“butdoesshebelievethat?”
“Patiencedoesnotwanttogetmarried,letalonetome,Ipromiseyouthat.”
Takingaslowsipofhiscoffee,Rednodded.“Ihopeyouareright.”
“Anyway,whatdoyoumeanI’mnotgoodenoughforher?You’remybrother,youshouldbesinging

mypraises.”

“You’reaflirtandarake.Nottomentionasmuggler.”
“Asareyou,”Natepointedout.
“AsifIcouldforget.ButIamnotarake.”
“OnlysinceyoumetHannah.Nowyouthinkyourselfsomeparagonofvirtue.”
Asmilecrossedhisbrother’sface.Itwasasoftone—onethathehadneverseenbeforeHannahhad

enteredtheirlife.“Hannahdidchangemesomewhat,yes.”

“Shouldyounotbeworryingaboutyourownweddingplans,anyway?Getyournoseoutofmineand

concentrateonyourown.”

Red’sbrowslifted.“Sothereareweddingplans?”
“No,damnit.YouknowwhatImean.”
“Well,todayIamtotakeHannahtotown.”Hewavedahand.“Dressfittingsorsomething,Iforget.

Herfatherwillbecomingtotowninaweekwhichmeanswehavelittletimetoensurethelasthaulis
distributed.”

“Whendowegooutagain?”
“Theweddingisinjustunderthreeweekssooncewe’vehoneymooned,Iplantosendtheshipout

again.”

Natenodded.“Excellent.Imayaccompanythem.Waitforallthegossiptodiedown.”
AndatripovertoFrancecombinedwithsomehardworkwouldclearhisheadofallthisPatience

nonsense.

Patience.
Damnit.
Inspiteofthedramafromyesterday,hewasitchingtoseeheragain.Itwasoddtosleepinhisbed

oncemore,knowinghewouldnotwakeuptoseeherfaceatbreakfast.Notbeingabletoendtheevening
cuddledunderablanketandwhilingawaythehourswassomewhatdisappointingtoo.Regardlessofwhat
happenedafterthisblastedmistakewasputtobed,hehopedtheycouldremainfriends.

Hescowledtohimself.Friends?Withawoman?Hesearchedhismemoryforsomesimilarincident

butcouldnotrecallone.Certainlyhewasongoodtermswithmanyofhisconquestsbuttheyhadnever
beenfriends.

“Ihadbettergetgoing.”Hestoodandpushedbackthechair.“IfIdonotquellthismarriagenonsense,

thetownsfolkwillhavemehitchedtoherbeforesundown.”

“Thereareworsefates,”hisbrothermuttered,hardlylookingupfromtheletternexttohisplate.
WorsefatesthanbeingmarriedtoPatience?Perhaps.But,Christ,thewomancoulddriveamantoan

early grave. It was all very well spending time with her when he knew it was going to end but to be
chainedtoherforever.

Hepausedonhiswayoutofthehallway.Theinevitableshudderofdreaddidnotfingeritswaydown

hisspine.Thechillthatusuallyovertookhimattheveryideaofbeinginthematrimonialstaterefusedto
take hold. In fact he felt...well, perfectly normal. Happy even. A little excited at the idea of seeing
Patience.

GodAlmighty,whatthedeucewaswrongwithhim?He’dhavetoseeadoctorifthiscontinued.
NateoptedtoridetoPatience’shouse.Theshortjourneyhardlywarrantedhavingthecarriagemade

readyandhecoulddowithabracingridetoclearthefatiguefromhishead.Afteranightoftossingand
turninginhisownbed,hecouldbarelykeephiseyesopen.

Hewouldneedhiswitsabouthimtoday,however.Whythedevildidshenotdenytheirengagementto

herbrother?

Though,ofcourse,heunderstoodsomewhat.FromallPatiencehadtoldhim,heknewhowmuchshe

adoredandadmiredHarry.Hehadappearedtrulyhappythatshehadfoundsomeone.But,ashappyasher
brothermaybe,thatsomeonecouldnotbeNate.

Natemadehiswaytothestablesandwasnearlytoppledbythesheepracingtowardhim.Hetookthe

bruntofthecollisiononhisshinsandgrunted.

“Goodmorning,sheep.”
Thesheepgavehimanudgewhichtendedtomeanshewashappytoseehim.
“Sorry,mylord,she’sbeentryingtoescapeallweek.”Astablehandpausedtobenddoubleandsuck

inabreath.

Nate waved away his apology. “Not to worry, I shall see her back to her pen.” He motioned to the

sheep.“Comeon,girl.Let’sgetyousomebreakfast.”

The sheep followed obligingly. At least she now remained in her pen. It was only when he did not

visitdidshetrytoescapeandgetintothehousetolookforhim.Forthefirstweeksoftheiracquaintance
shemusthavesnuckherwayintothehouseadozentimes.Thehousekeeperwasnonetohappyaboutthe
sheepdroppingssheleftontheancientandexpensivecarpets.

Hefedandfussedovertheanimalwhilsthishorsewassaddled.Shegavehimamournfullookashe

stood.“I’llbebacksoon,girl.WithanameforyoutooifIcanhelpit.Thoughwhatthedevilyoucalla
sheepIdonotknow.”

Nate followed the main path out of his brother’s estate. Tucked back from the village and nestled

betweenhills,thehousedidnotreceivethefullbruntofbeingbytheocean.Itwasn’tuntilonehadridden
outfromthegatehouseandalongtheroadthatcutalongonesideofthevalleydidoneknowtheywereby
the seaside. Sea salt filled the air, brought in on a breeze that whipped the collar of his coat and
threatenedtoturnintosomethingmoreaggressive.Hewelcomedthecoolbiteofitonhisskin.

Theestuarymeanderedbesidehim,drainedatpresentfromlowtide.Onlymudflatsandatinyexcuse

forariverflowedpasthimbutbyeveningitwouldbefullandreadyforboats.Hemetnooneuntilhe
reachedtheoutskirtsofthevillage.Afewgreetedhimnormallybutplentyofthevillagersofferedtheir
congratulations.Henoddedandthankedthemallwithatightsmile.

Apparently, they had all been hoping he would settle because many said as much. About time, said

some.Firstyourbrother,nowyou.Wewereallprayingyouwouldmeetsomeone,saidthemilliner.Well
done, congratulations, everyone is happy for you. All the words rang in his head until he reached the
stepsofPatience’shouse.Hetriedtoshakethemaway.Thelastthingheneededwasexpectation.He’d
donehisbesttoavoiditallhislife.

Amaidansweredthedoorandledhimintothedrawingroom.ThoughhehadbeeninsidetheGreys’

house before, it did not feel homely or welcoming as it had in the past. Patience’s brother stood at the
backoftheroom,hisbackrigid,handsclaspedbehindhim,likeanoldGrandfatherclockslowlycounting
eachsecond.Patiencemusthavebeensittingononeofthesofasandhadrisenuponhisentry.Todayshe
wore buff pantaloons and a white shirt. He only briefly noted the curve of her breasts—very briefly—
awareofherbrotherwatchingoverhim.Thewarmwelcomingsmilehaddeparted.HadPatiencetoldhim
already?

“Goodmorning,Harry.IwaswonderingifImighthaveawordwithPatience?”
Herbrothernoddedslowly,aflickerofwarninginhiseyes.“Ofcourse.”
Patiencewatchedherbrotherleave.Oncehehadexitedtheroom,shewenttothedoorthathadbeen

leftajarandcloseditgentlysothatitdidnotmakeasoundasitshut.Sheturnedtohim,eyeslowered,
handsclaspedinfrontofher.

“IknowIshouldhavecorrectedhiminstantly.”
“Yes.”
“Iwillrectifythis.Ijustwassoexcitedtoseehimandheseemedsothrilledforme.”
Harrydidnotseemquiteasthrillednowbuttherewasnosenseinwonderingwhy.Thechanceswere

Harryhadmulledoveritandrealizedaroguelikehimselfwasnotgoodenoughforhissister.Heranhis
gazeoverherfeatures,sodowncastandguilt-ridden.Despitehermelancholy,itpleasedhimtoseeher.
He had missed those full lips, so often pulled into a mutinous pout, and those flashing eyes that were
usuallyfiredupwithangerathim,because,ofcourse,healwaysmanagedtorileher.

And,goodGod,didheenjoyrilingher.Neverhadhehadsomuchfunexchangingwitswithawoman.
She had continued to adopt a softer hairstyle too. Though not as neat as one might expect, the wild

curlsaboutherfaceandpiledatopherheadmadehimwanttothrusthisfingersintothemandpullherin
forakiss.

His groin tightened making him realize it had been too long since he’d kissed her. Too long, but

perhaps not long enough. There wasn’t enough time for him to forget the warmth of her mouth and her
eager,inexperiencedpassion.Notenoughtimeforhimtoputittothebackofhismindandremindhimself
thatithadbeenonekissandtheywerenotengaged—notreally.Therewouldnotbearepeat.

“I believe,” Nate started, “that it may have been my fault we are in this pickle. Likely someone

overheardmejestingwithmybrother.Sowearebothtoblamehere.”

She opened her mouth then closed it. Moving around the sofa, she ran a finger across the carved

woodenbackbeforeloopingaroundandcomingbacktostandinfrontofhim.Hehadtoadmittospending
mostofthoseseveralprecioussecondswatchingherarseandhipsmoveindelightfulways.

“Youmustcallitoff,”shefinallydeclared.“Callitoffandthisshallallbeover.”
Natefrowned.“Icannot.”
“Butyoumust.”
Heshookhishead.“No,youmustcallitoff.”
“Iwillnot,”shedeclared,thatflashinginhereyesthathehadbeensofondofwarninghimhewasin

fortrouble.Perhapshedidnotmissthatasmuchashehadthought.

“Whynot?Wehavetoputastoptothissomehow.”
“MybrotherwillbesoupsetwithmethatIturnedyoudown.I’msureyouareawarethatIamnot

floodedwithoffers.”

“IfIendthingswithyou,youshallberuined.Nomanwillgonearyouagain.”
Shewavedahand.“Yes,yes,Ishallbetaintedgoods.”Sheutteredthelastwordwithdistaste.“ButI

havenoplanstomarry,noeagersuitorsthatshallbeputoff.Youmustbetheonetoendit.”

“Ifyouendit,littleone,thereshallbenoscandal.Thebannshavenotbeenread,youwouldbewell

withinyourrightstocallitoff,andnoonewouldthinkanylessofyou.”

“Awomaniswithinherrightstochangehermind,ofcourse,butIknowmanywhowouldthinklessof

me.Whywouldawomanlikemeturndownamanlikeyou?”Shejabbedafingeragainsthischest.“You
mustdoit.Noonewillquestionwhy.Theywillsimplythinkyouhadamomentofmadnessandnowyou
haveawokenfromit.”

Hesnatchedthatfingerandheldhercaptivebythatonedigit.Hetuggedherclose,usingthatsmall

hold.Theywerenearlytoetotoebythetimehewasdonewithher.

“Yourbrotherwillcallmeout.”
“Hewillnot,Iswearit.Iwillmakesureofit.”
“I’mnotdoingit.”
“Well,noramI.”
“Youmusteventually.Muchlongerandtheentirevillageshallbeplanningourwedding.”
Herchinjuttedout.“Youdoit.”
Her breath whispered over his face, hot and erratic. His whole body tightened. He searched those

blazingeyes.“You.Damn.Well.Doit.”

“Never.”
Anythoughtofarguingvanished.Hewouldwearherdownoncesherealizedhewouldnotgivein.

But,forthemoment,hehadotherthingsheneededtodo.Namely,kissher.

Hebroughthismouthdownhard,tryingtopunishherperhaps,exceptitdidnotwork.Shemethiskiss

with equal force and latched her hands around his neck. A groan tore from the back of his throat. He
bundledherintohim,holdinghertightagainsthisarousal.

Somewhere,inthedistance,adoorlatchclicked.Hehearditbutcouldnotregisterituntilsomeone

coughed.HeinstantlyreleasedPatienceandturnedaround.

Patience’smothergrinnedatthem.“Ohdear.”
Hegrimacedinwardly.Nowhewouldneverbeabletocallitoff.Theonlywaytostopthismarriage

wasforPatiencetoendthings.Somehow,hewouldhavetopersuadeher.Theonlyproblemwas,withhis
mindstillsearedfromherkiss,hecouldnotquiterecallwhyitwassuchaterribleidea.

ChapterTwenty-One

T hewarmthoftheShipInnbarelytouchedthechillinNate’sbones.Afteraneveningofdistributingand
hidingthegoods,theencroachingwinterweatherhadeatendeepinside.Redgaveashudderandtugged
offhisglovestomakethemostoftheheatthatfilledtheoldmedievalbuilding.

Nateduckedunderalowbeamandledthewaytotheirusualspot,nearthefire.Thetableandfour

chairs were empty. Everyone knew this was where they spent their time and with a man like Knight on
theirside,noonedaretaketheirspot.

Knightoptedforthechairbythewindow,alwayskeentobeabletoseewhatwashappeninginthe

room.Nate,Red,andDrakeoccupiedtheotherchairsandDrakethrewupahandtomotiontooneofthe
barmaids.Knighttookamomenttosurveytheroom.Nateknewlittleabouthim—noneofthemdid—but
they all trusted him with their life. He worked harder than any of them and had been known to use his
greatsizetogetthemoutofstickysituationsonceortwice.

However,justbecausehetrustedKnightitdidn’tmeanNatedidnotwonderabouthim.Whydidhe

alwayslookasthoughhewasonguard?Whowasheexpectingtosee?Unliketherestofthem,Knighthad
nocover.HewasnonoblemannoracaptainlikeDrake.Knightwasthefaceoftheirsmugglingringand
hedidaperfectjobofit.Noonewoulddarehandhimoverorquestionhisactivities.

Louisamadeherwayovertotheirtable,atrayofaleandwhiskyreadyforthem.Shehandedoutthe

drinksandproppedthetrayunderonearm.“Coldnight?”

“Thetemperatureisdropping,”Drakeagreed.“Itwillmakelifeharderforthenextfewmonths.”
“Solongaswedon’tgetdamnedsnow,I’llbehappy,”saidRed.
“Ifyou’rehavingtrouble...um...movingthingson,youknowIhavespacehere,”Louisaoffered.
Itwouldnotbethefirsttimeshehadhelpedthem.Therehadbeenatimeortwowhenthey’dneeded

tohidefromthecustomsmenorstowtheirgoodselsewherebuttheyavoidedbringingLouisaintotheir
business as much as they could. The fact was that if either he or Red were found guilty of smuggling,
they’dprobablygetalighttaponthewristsorhavetopayafine.Therestoftheirgroupwouldnotbeso
luckyandtheycertainlydidnotwantLouisatopaythepricefortheiractivities.

Redshookhishead.“There’llbenoneedforthat.Iftheroadsgetblocked,wecanmanage.”
“Welltheofferisalwaysthere,”shesaidwithasmile.
NatepeeredatKnight,onlyjustrealizinghowquiethewasbeing.Whichwasnotatallunusualbut

there was something in his manner that drew Nate’s attention. He appeared more uncomfortable than
normalinhishugebodyand…Natestaredharder...bloodyhell,wasthemanblushing?Knightswunga
quicklookupatLouisathencasthisgazequicklyaway.AsmilequirkedNate’slips.Themanwithaheart
ofstonehadafancyforLouisa.Whowouldhavethoughtit?

Louisaglancedaroundtheroom.“Ihearthere’safewbroken-heartedgirlsinthevillagenow.”
Drakehelduphishand.“Itwasnotme.Ididnottouchthem.”
Laughing, Louisa shook her head. “I meant because both Kingsley men are now engaged. Funny, I

neverthoughtPatienceGreytobeyourtype,Nate.”

“Well,I—”Shewasrightofcourse.Patiencewasnothistypeuntil,well,shehadbecomehistype.

Hewasbeginningtosuspectshewasnowhisonlytype.

“Oh,Ihadbetterdash.Rosielooksswamped.”LouisaduckedawayleavingNatewiththeaftermath

ofherwordsandseveralstaresfromhisfriends.

“Whatisit?”
“You’restillengaged?”Drakeasked.“Ithoughtyouweregoingtohavehercallitoff.”
“Itried,”hemuttered.“Thedamnedwomanwon’tdoit.”
Red leaned in, cradling his whisky. “She won’t do it? She wants to hold you to it. I did not take

Patienceforthesorttowrangleamarriageinadishonestmanner.”

“No,it’snotlikethat.Shesaysitwilldisappointherbrothertoomuch.ShetoldmeIhavetobethe

onetocallitoff.”

“Wellwhyhaveyounot?”hisbrotherasked.
“Becauseitwillruinher.It’sfarbettershecallitoff,youknowthat,”Natesnapped.
Drakeshrugged.“Ifsheiswillingtoputupwiththeaftermath,youmightaswellcallitoff.Atleastit

savesyousomepride.”

“Idon’tcareaboutmypride.”
Thecaptainlaughed.“Ohweknowthat.YouwouldnothavecharmedhalfthepopulationofCornwall

intobed,hadyoucared.”

Nateshothimalook.“Saysyou,CaptainDrake.You’vebeddedtheotherhalf.”
Asmugsmilecrossedhisface.“Andthensome.”
“Idonotknowwhyyoutwoneedtobeincompetitiontobedthemostnumberofwomen.Youneedto

keep your cocks in your breeches and your heads in the game.” Red leaned back and folded his arms.
“Youdon’tseeKnightrunningoffwithanewwomaneverynight.”

“Hemustbeaeunuch.”DrakejabbedanelbowintoKnight’sside.
Knightgrunted.“Ibedwomen,”heprotested.
Nate eyed the man. He had never seen him with a woman and as far as he knew, Knight had zero

abilitytocharmone.“Scaringwomenawaywithyourscowldoesnotcountasbeddingthem.”

“Notallwomenfearme.”KnightswungaglancepastNateandhewasconvincedithadtohavebeen

tolookatLouisa.Christ,themanhaditbad.

“Anyway, we were discussing Nate here and the wife he has somehow nearly gained,” Drake said.

“Tobehonest,she’saprettything.Alittlerougharoundtheedgesbutthosebreechesshelikestowear.”
He made a noise in the back of his throat. “They cup her just...” He lifted both hands. “Not to mention
thoseti—”

Nate cut him off with a punch. Drake tumbled back, his chair toppling over and sending him to the

floor.BeforeNatecoulddoanythingelse,KnighthadsteppedbetweenthembothleavingNatenursinghis
soreknuckles.

Drakecametohisfeetandclutchedhisjawwithagrin.“Iwasonlytellingthetruth.”
Natenarrowedhisgazeatthemanandsuckedinalongbreath.Hehadneverstruckoutathisfriends

—didnotevenconsiderhimselftohaveatemperreally.AllheknewwasthatwhenDrakebegantalking
aboutPatiencelikethat,aredmisthaddescended.Whatwasthiswomandoingtohim?

Redputhishandsouttoeithersideandmadealoweringmotion.“Letusfinishourdrinks.Drakewill

watchhismouthandNatewillwatchhisfists.”

Drakenodded.“I’llwatchthemcarefully.Didnotknowyouhaditinyou,Nate.”
“Maybeitwillknockyourobsessionwithtitsfromyou,”Natesaidthroughgrittedteeth.
AlaughescapedDrake.“Never.”
Natecouldnothelpgrin.“Wasworthatry.”
“Canwegetbacktoourdrinks?”Knightasked,motioningtothetable.
Nodding,Natesatandtherestfollowedsuit.“Iwillnotapologize.”HedirectedthisatDrake.
“Ididnotexpectyouto.ThoughyoumightwanttothinkagainaboutpersuadingPatiencetocalloff

theengagement.Ifshecanmakeyouloseyourtemper,shemustbequiteawoman.”Drakepickedupan
ale,draineditandmotionedforasecond.

“Sheis.ThatdoesnotmeanIshouldmarryher.”
“Doesitnot?”
NateeyedKnight.Hetriednottobetakenbackbythebrute’sinference.“Therearemanywomenlike

Patienceoutthere.”

“Isthere?”Knight’sfaceremainedexpressionless.
“Yes,damnit.”Therehadtobe.Surelyifhecontinuedsearching,remainingabachelorandenjoying

alltheoppositesexcouldgivehim,hewouldfindanotherwomanlikeher?

“Areyoucertain?”thegiantofamanpressed.
“Since when do you ask so many questions?” It had to be the most amount of words Nate had ever

heardfromtheusuallysilentman.Whywaseveryonesobloodyinterestedinhisaffairssuddenly?

“IthinkKnight’spointisthatwehaveneverseenyouquitesoinvestedinawomanbefore,”Redsaid.

“You’vecertainlyneverbeenreadytokillamanoverawomanbefore.”

“Iwouldn’thavekilledDrake,”hegrumbled.
“NotevenifImentionedhertitsagain?”Drakegaveaflashofteeth.
Natethrustafingeratthecaptain.“Nevermentionthemeveragain.”
Drake threw up his hands. “See? He’s as lost as you were when you met Hannah.” He motioned to

Red.

“Iwasnotlost,”hisbrotherprotested.“But,yes,Nateisindeep.Evenifhedoesnotknowityet.”
Nateslammeddownhisjugofale,makingitsloshoverthesides.“Goddamnit,stoptalkingaboutme

likeI’mnothere.”

Redfixedhimwithaseriouslook.“Faceit,Nate.Youneverloseyourtemperoverawomanandyou

arenevergrouchy.Thereissomethingaboutthiswoman,obviously.Youcouldendthisallwitheaseand
yet you choose not to. Now you must decide if whatever this is is worth pursuing. God knows this
bacheloractisgettingold.”

“You’retechnicallystillabachelor,”Natepointedout.
“Not for much longer and I certainly never indulged in the lifestyle like you did.” Red leaned in.

“Thinkcarefully,Nate.Doyouhaveanyinterestinanyotherwomanatpresent?”

“Well,no,butthere’shardlyahugevarietyhere.”
“Andiftherewas,wouldyouwantanyofthemoverPatience?”
Natepausedandconsidered.ThefactwasthatifPatiencewasinaroomfullofbeautiesalldressed

upandprimpedtowithinaninchoftheirlives,hewouldonlybeinterestedinher.Hewasonlyinterested
inher.

Andthathadtomeansomething.
“I’llbedamned,”hemutteredunderhisbreath.
Redslappedhimontheback.“Lookslikeyourballsfinallydropped.Welcometotheworldofbeing

aman.”

The other men around the table laughed. Nate only felt numb. He’d never considered what would

happenifhefellforawoman.Certainlyhehadheldgreatadmirationformany,andundoubtedlyplentyof
desire,butneveranythinglikethis.

He supposed there was only one thing for it. He would have to persuade Patience to make their

engagementreal.

ChapterTwenty-Two

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Patienceaskedasshefoughttopullonherridinggloves.

“Isthatanywaytogreetyourfiancé?”Nateflashedagrin.Itmadeherstomachturnitselfinsideout.
“Youarenotmyfiancé,”sheprotested.
“AccordingtoeveryoneelseIam.”
Shesighed.“Nate,allyouneedtodoisdeclareitwasamistakeandwecanendthis.”
Hissmilesoftenedandtherewassomethingoddflickeringinhisblueeyes.Akindofsoftnessthatshe

hadneverwitnessedbefore.“Come,thebirdswillnotshootthemselves.”

“HowdidyouknowIwasgoingshooting?”
“Yourbrothermentionedasmuchyesterday.”
“Youknowyoucouldhaveusedthatmomenttotellhimtheweddingwasnotgoingtohappen.”She

continuedfightingwithherglove.Sheneverhadanyproblemswithkidleatherbeforebutthenshenever
normallyhadtowrestlewiththethingsinfrontofthemosthandsomeandcharmingmanshehadevermet.

“Ifyouhadlistenedtoourconversation,youwouldhaverealizedwhythatwasnotatallpossible.”
Scowling,shehuffedatherwretchedglove.Whatevertheyhadtalkedaboutbehindcloseddoors,her

brother had told her nothing. She imagined it was the usual sort of thing—how much dowry she would
bringandsuchlike.ItwouldbeapaltrysumtoamanlikeNate.Whichbroughtupthequestionyetagain,
whyonearthdidhenotsimplygiveinandannounceitwasallover?

Natesteppedforward,hisbootsclackingonthetiledfloorofthehallway.Hetooktheglovefromher

andeaseditonbeforedoingupthethreebuttonsontheinsideofherwrist.Thenhesnatchedtheother
fromwhereitwastuckedunderherarmanddidthesame.Oncehewasdone,hesweptakissacrossher
lips.

Allofithadhersotakenabackthatshewasunabletoreact.Unlessonecountedstandingfrozenwith

one’smouthajarasareaction.

“My horse is waiting. I thought we could hunt on my brother’s land, if you have no objection. It is

certainlymoresuitedtohuntingthanthewoods.”

Hadshebeeninbetterchargeofhersenses,shewouldhavedeclined.Shehuntedonaregularbasis,

onherownusually.Sheonlytookonegunandhadnoneedforanyaid.However,theshootingwouldbe
betterontheEarlofRedmere’sland.

Butwhywashedoingthis?Therewasnoneed.Didhethinktopersuadehertobreakitoff?Ifhedid,

hewasgoingaboutitthewrongway.Shelovedtorideandhunt,andtherewouldbenothingbetterthan
doingitonestateland.

“I—”
“Excellent.”Hetookherhand,gaveheranotherkissonthelipsandhelpedhermountherhorsebefore

followingsuit.

Heatinfusedhercheekstheentireridethroughthevillage.Theycrossedthebridgeovertheestuary

anditseemedeveryonewasfascinatedbythem.Iftheywereindoubtastowhethertherumorsweretrue,
theywouldnotbenow.WhatsortofagamewasNateplaying?

Once they moved past the fishermen’s cottages and the road widened, she came to his side. “You

realizeweshallbethetalkofthetowntoday?”

“Good.”

“Good?”
“Yes.Youdeservetobetalkedof.”
Sheshookherhead.“Ihavenoideawhatyoumeanbutyouknowthatwillmakecallingthingsoffall

themoredifficult.”

“Ifyoucallitoff,yes.”
“YouknowIcannot.Mybrotherwillbefurious.”
“Hewillunderstand.Thatis,ifthat’sreallywhatyouwant.”
“WhatIwant?Ofcourseit’s...”Shesuckedinabreath.Thismanwasconfusingher.Itwaswhathe

wanted,wasitnot?Surelyitwas?Howcouldtheygetmarried?Theymighthavelivedaroundeachother
for years but they had not really come to know each other until recently, and a few kisses and
conversationswerenotenoughtomakeamarriage,werethey?

Not to mention there was no chance Nate could really want her. Not truly. She was so far removed

frommarriagematerial,itwaslaughable.

Theycrossedunderthegatethatindicatedthestartoftheearl’sland.Itstretchedoveraflatinletof

land that had been carved out of the valley when the estuary had been wider, likely many hundreds of
yearsago.Thelandextendedupoverthehillsonwhichsheepandcattlewerekept.Treesdottedthegrass
whichwassegmentedofffromtherestoftheworldbywayofbrickwallsandawoodenfence.Smoke
swirledfromthegatehouseandlampswerelitinthewindows.

Theymadetheirwayuptowardthefieldsbehindthehouseanddismountedthere.Patiencetriedher

besttofocusonthehuntingbutitwasmightilydistractingtobewithNateandshedidnotperformaswell
asshewouldhaveliked.MostlyshedidnotoutperformNateandthatriledher.

After an hour of his company, she began to forget she was with the great Lord Nathaniel and as he

teasedandflirted,sherelaxed.Withseveralexcellentshotsunderherbelt,theycalleditaday.

“WouldyoumindifIcheckonthesheep?”heaskedastheymountedtheirhorses.
“Notatall.”
Theyheadedtowardtheouterstableswherethefarmanimalswerekept.Thehorseswerealloweda

moment to drink and eat while Nate opened the sheep’s pen and gave her a pat on the head. The odd
relationshipbetweenthetwomadehersmile.Whowouldhavethoughtasmuggling,roguishlordwould
careforasheep?Heglancedherwayandthebreathleftherlungs.Hegaveherthesameaffectionatelook
thathebestoweduponthesheep.

Couldhecareforhertoo?No,surelynot.
“Will you come in for some refreshments? My brother will not be at home. He is dealing with this

weddingmalarkey.”

Patience eyed him, taking in the appealing way his hair had tousled underneath his hat. He set said

garmentasideforamomentandsteppedcloser.

“Well?”
“Iamnotsureyoursistertobewillbehappywithyoucallingitmalarkey.”
“Donotchangethesubject.Willyoustayalittlelonger?”
Thewarm,earnestlookinhiseyeshadherpracticallyunravelling.Hadshenotbeenleaningagainst

oneofthewoodenstrutsinsidethebarnshemighthavecollapsedaltogether.Itwouldbefartooeasyand
appealingtobelieveNatetrulywantedher,butifhedidnot,whatwasthisgame?

“Ishouldreturnhome.”
“Perhaps.”
“Imean,Ireallyoughttoreturnhome.”
“Maybe.”
“Nate,Imust.”
“Why?Yourbrotherknowsyouarehere,withyourfiancé.AslongasIhaveyoureturnedbynightfall

thereisnothingthatcanbesaid.”

“Yes,butwebothknowyouarenotreallymyfiancé.”
“Untilyoubreakitoffwithme,youare.”
Shestudiedhisresoluteexpressionandhuffed.“Thisis—”
Ablurofwhitecutheroff.Thesheeprushedinfrontofher.Natehelduphishands.“Sheep,behave,”

hecommanded.

Theanimalignoredhimandwentbarrelingintohim,forcinghimtotakeastepback.Allwouldhave

beenwellhadthebackofhislegsnotconnectedwiththetroughbehindhim.Thesheepbackedoffonly
brieflybeforegivingNateonemorenudge,asifintendingtosealhermaster’sfate.

It seemed to happen slowly. There were flailing arms, a slight look of panic which Patience rather

enjoyed considering she had never seen the man look panicked in his life. He toppled backward and
watersplashedabouthim.Thetroughrockedslightlybutdidnottip.

Patiencestaredandtookintheaftermathofthesheep’seagerbehavior.Thecreaturedidseveralloops

of the trough as if inspecting the result. Nate sat, his legs hanging over the side of the trough. His shirt
clung to his skin, soaked through. Water trickled down his face and a tinge of furious red haunted his
cheeksandforehead.

Patiencepressedherlipstogetherbutitwasnogood.Aburstoflaughterescapedher.Thenanother.

Then more when Nate tried to ease himself out of the trough only to fall back down and create another
waveofwater.Tearsstreameddownthesideofherfaceandsheclutchedherstomach.

“God.Damn.Sheep,”Natemuttered.
“Oh dear,” she gasped. “You should see...” She tried to suck in a breath to control the laughter. “It

reallyisjustsoveryamusing.”Hershouldersshookasanothertorrentoflaughterovertookher.

“Donotjuststandthere.Helpmeup,”Natedemanded,holdingoutahand.
Stillgiggling,Patiencetookhishandandbracedherselftohelppullhimup.Assoonashisfingers

hadsealedoverhers,sherealizedhermistake.Hegaveonebrief,hardtug.

Thegroundwentfromunderherfeet.Ashockofcoldwatertouchedherskin.Shetoppledcompletely

in,landingatophim.Hiseyeswerecrinkledwithmirth.

Shegavehimasplashandlaughed.“Now,howamImeanttoreturnhome?”
“Precisely.”
“Didyouplanthis?”
Aneyebrowlifted.“Plantohavethatblastedsheeppushmeintoatrough?Unlikely.”Hegavehera

littleshoveandinchedherforwardoutofthetrough.“Comeon,letusgetoutofherebeforewecatcha
chill.”

Sheputherhandsontotheedgeofthemetalandwithoneratherungentlemanlypushtoherrear,she

wasout.Turning,sheofferedherhandtoNate.

“Youhadbetternotpullmeinagain.”
Heliftedahand.“Iswearit.”
Shehelpedhimupandwatersluicedoffhim.Heshovedahandthroughhishair,turningthetousled

wavescurlier.Patiencegrinned.

“Icannottellifyoursheeplovesyouorhatesyou.”
Hereturnedthegrin.“SometimesIcannoteither.”
Whenhergazefellfromhissmile,theairinherlungsfroze.Itwasnotthefirsttimeshehadseenhis

bodybuttherewassomethingdifferentaboutitinawetshirt.Thewaythecottonclungandmoldedtohim
hadherstumblingforwords,oractions.Allshecoulddowasstare.

She tried like the devil to swallow the knot in her throat but it would not budge. When she finally

managed to tear her gaze upward, she realized he had not even noticed her paralysis. He had been too
busy staring as well. She now understood that if she looked at her own shirt, there would be a similar

imageexcepthewouldbeabletoseeherbreastsandprobablytheindentofherwaist.

It hit her hard. This was it. This was what it felt like to be a powerful, strong woman, able to

commandamantodoherbidding.Except,ofcourse,nowshehadhimunderhercommand,shewasnotat
allsurewhattodowithhim.

Hisgazeliftedtohersandthepowershifted.Nowitwasequal,weightedbetweenthemanddrawing

themtogether.Shenolongerquestionedwhattodo.

Theycollidedatthesametime,theirwetshirtsstickingtooneanother.Hisbodywaswarmbeneath

thecoldcotton.Warmandhard,andimpossibletoresist.

Hishandcuppedherneck,thepressurestrongandunrelenting.Therewouldbenoescapinghim.Not

thatshewantedto.Shelethergazefallbrieflytohislipsbeforegazingintohiseyes.Anybreathshehad
leftinherbodyvanishedinapuffofsmoke.

Patienceloopedherhandsaroundhisneck.
“Christ,whatareyoudoingtome?”heasked,thewordsgruffandraw.
Shehadnotimetoanswer.Evenifshedid,shewouldnotknowhowtorespond.Hislipscamedown

upon her slightly parted ones. Hot, demanding, passionate. Her eyelids fluttered closed of their own
accordandshewaslost.Losttothefeelofhisbodyagainsthers,losttothewayhishandsheldherclose,
treasuredher,madeherfeeldesirableandbeautiful.

His tongue touched hers and she trembled. Her bones had turned to liquid and were it not for his

embrace,shewouldbepuddledonthefloorlikemeltedice.

Naterockedhishipsintohers.Anythoughtsofherwetshirt,orevenhis,werelonggone.Heatflared

through her as though she were standing next to a raging fire. He broke away briefly—long enough to
pepperkissesdownherneckandnibbleherjawline.Heleftherwanting,pantingandneedy.Hiswords
echoedinhermind.Whatareyoudoingtome?Whatareyoudoingtome?

Whatwashedoingtoher,morelike?Everyideaofcommonsensehadfledher.Theonlythoughtsthat

existedwereMore!andOhyes,there!andMore,more,more!Oncehishandsbeganmovingupanddown
her back, she began to move with him, pressing herself into him. An ache that only seemed to worsen
gatheredbetweenherthighs.

Shegroaned.Hekissedherharder.Patienceresponded,sweepinghertongueintohismouth.Awild

sound tore from Nate and he gripped her hips tight. As he did so, she stumbled back. They toppled
togetherontothestraw.Natebarelygaveheramomenttocatchherbreath.Cushionedbythestraw,she
acceptedtheonslaughtofhisfierykisses,amoanescapingherashisbodycoveredhers.

“What.Do.You.Do.To.Me?”heaskedbetweenkissesoncemore.
Sheunderstooditnow.Shearousedhim.Somehow,she—theeccentricgirlwhoworebreechesand

huntedwithherbrothersanddidnotknowhowtoembroider—arousedthisman.That’swhatshedidto
him.Andhedidthesametoher.Everyinchofherwasalight,desperateforhistouch,hiskiss.

Thatsamefireburnedinsideher,makingherfeelfullandwonderful.Herheartstretchedwitheach

pepperedkissagainstherskin.Sheeyedthebeamsaboveforamomenttotrytogetherselfcenteredand
ensurethiswasreallyhappening.Anditwas.

NathanielKingsleyhadhismouthuponherneck,hishandononebreast.Hemovedatopher,rubbing

against her in a way that mimicked everything she wanted from him. She did not even have to cast her
mind back to know she had never felt this before. The desperation building inside should have been
terrifyingbutitwasn’t,notwhenshewassharingitwithNate.

Hepluckedabutton,openinghershirtafraction.Hotbreathwhisperedoverthecurveofherbreasts.

Shecouldfeelthemrisingandfallingagainstherundergarments.Nateeasedbackjustenoughtoeyeher.

She could imagine the picture she made—sprawled on the straw, her hair wild, her shirt open. She

couldimagineitandshecouldseeherselfinhiseyes.She,PatienceGrey,wasbeautiful,andpowerful,
andsensual.Shewithherboyishwaistandshortlegs,wasenchantingeven.

From the look in Nate’s eyes she was right. Goodness, so this is what it felt like to be a beautiful

woman?Shewasalmostheadyfromtheexperience.

“Patience, Patience, Patience,” he murmured, returning to cover her body with his. His lips tickled

acrossthetopsofherbreasts,makinghernipplesacheandthrob.

Shearchedinstinctivelyintohimandhehookedahandbeneathherback.
“Beautiful Patience,” he whispered and the words danced a pattern of breath across her skin.

“Beautiful,beautifulPatience.Christ,nowonderIneverstoodachance.”

“What...whatdoyoumean?”shemanagedtocroak.
Sheregrettedthewordswhenhemovedupontohiselbowtolookdownather.However,shecould

not resist lifting a palm to touch his cheek and push aside a strand of hair that had dropped across his
forehead.Totouchhimsofreelyleftherfeelingtinglyinside.

“You’rebewitching,Patience.”
“Youhadbetternotsaythatinpublic.Itwouldnotbeastretchoftheimaginationforpeopletothink

mearealwitch.”

Hechuckled.“Perhapsyouare.”Natedroppedakissonherlipsandrosebackup.“Willyoucallit

off?”

Awashofcoldnesstumbledoverherasthoughshehadbeendunkedinthetroughoncemore.“You

must,”sheinsisted.

“Iwillnot.”
“NorwillI.”
Hegrinned.Itwastheusualcharming,heart-wrenchinggrinthatheoftenthrewherwayyettherewas

somethingdifferenttoit.Asthoughhehadnotsummonedittocharmherbuthegenuinelycouldnotkeepit
fromspreadingacrosshislips.

“Thenitlooksasthoughwearegettingmarried.”
Staringathim,shefrowned.Hesaidthewordssomatter-of-factly,asifheweretalkingofthemgoing

forastrollorhavingdinner.Asifitwouldnotchangeboththeirlivesirrevocably.

“Wedonothavetoifyousimplystopbeingstubbornandcallitoff.”
Hegaveashrug.“Iwillnotcallitoff.Youwillnotcallitoff.Iseenootherwaytoendthisotherthan

usgettingmarried.”

She blinked several times as she searched her mind for a response. “But...but...why would you not

breakitoff?”Itmadenosense.Shehadbeencertainhewoulddoiteventually,atleastbeforethebanns
were read. There was no chance Nate would let this farce continue. Once he was back in society—or
whatlittlesocietytherewasinPenshallow—hewouldforgetaboutherandbemorethanhappytosayhe
hadmadeamistakeandhewishedtomoveon.

“Wouldusmarryingbesoterrible?”
Suddenlyhis proximity wastoo much. Hetook her mind andwhirled it around,made her unable to

think.Shewriggledtogetfreefromhimandheshruggedandeasedaway.Patiencedrewherlegsupand
loopedherarmsaroundthem.

“Youcannotpossiblywantmeforyourwife?”
“Whyevernot?”
“Because...becauseIamnotwifelymaterial.”
Heranhisgazeoverher,remindingherofherdisheveledstate.Sheclutchedherblousetogetherand

stood.Hefollowedsuitwhichmadeherwishshehadstayedsitting.Nowhehadtheadvantageofheight
andhandsomeness.Hisshirtremainedplasteredtohimsoshecouldnotforgetthestrengthandbeautyof
thatbodythathadbeenpressedagainsther.

“Patience,youaremorethanwifelymaterial.Youarecourageous,intelligent,funny,andsensual.”
Sensual. That was a word she had never heard describe her. Then again, she was not sure she had

heardanyoftheotherseither.Eccentric,yes.Strange,certainly.Stubbornandaggravatingtoo.Butnoneof
those.

Sheeyedhim,huntingforsomesignofalieorulteriormotivebehindtheflattery.Shecouldfindnone.
Nateextendedhishand.“Come,Ishallfindyouadryshirt.Nodoubtitshallbetoobigforyoubut

hopefullynoneshallnoticeonceyouhaveyourridingjacketbackon.”

Patienceswallowedagainstthedrynessinhermouthandnodded.Hecouldnottrulywanther,could

he?Yet,asunconvincedasshewas,shetookhishandandallowedhimtoleadherintothehouse.

***

AnyreliefNate felt at Patience agreeing to remain vanished when Red greeted him at the house with a
grimexpression.Hisbrother’sexpressionbarelyflickeredattheirdampstate.

“Youhaveavisitor.Patience’sbrotherJacob.Ihaveputhiminthebluedrawingroom.”
Patiencethrewapuzzledglancehiswaybutbeforeshecouldquestionherbrother’sarrival,Hannah

scurriedin.Red’sprettyfiancéclappedahandoverhermouth.“Whathappenedtoyoutwo?Itdidnot
raintoday,didit?”ShepausedwhenshespottedPatience’sembarrassedexpression.“Well,thesethings
happen.Believeme,Ishouldknow.”

AsparkofamusementdancedbetweenRedandHannah.Natehadnotbeenappraisedofeverything

thathadhappenedduringtheirtimetogetheronlyweeksbeforebutRedhadconfessedHannahhadended
upsoakedtotheskinatonepointandwasforcedtostriptoherchemise.Ithadbeenthatmomentthathad
ruinedhimforever,hisbrotherconfessed.

“ComewithmeandIshallfindyouachangeofclothes.”Hannahheldoutherhandexpectantly.
PatiencegaveNateahelplesslookandtookHannah’shand.Oncetheywereoutofearshot,heleaned

intoRed.“Icanassumethisisnotafriendlyvisit,canInot?”

Hisbrothershrugged.“IcannotsaybutJacobdidnotlookbestpleased.”
“Well,bestgetthisoveranddonewith.”
He strode to the blue drawing room and pushed open the door. Nate briefly considered sitting but

decided against it. If this were taking place in a bar or a darkened alleyway, he would be preparing
himselfforafight.Jacobeyedhim,armsfolded.

Nate forwent any formal greetings. He knew what this was about. “I take it Pauline is deposited

safely.”

“Sheis.”
“Thelegcausingyouanytrouble?”
Jacob’sjawflexed.
“Comeon,Jacob,outwithit.”
Jacob took several steps forward and thrust a finger in his face. “You need to call this off with

Patience.Youknowthiswasnevermeanttoturnintoarealdamnedmarriage.”

Natecockedhishead.“Harryseemshappywiththematch.”
“Harrythoughtshe’dneverfindanyone.He’dbehappyifshemarriedapig-farmer.Heseemswilling

toignoreyourpast…behavior.”

“Andwhatsortofbehavioristhat?”Natecrossedhisarmsandliftedhischin.
“Theflirting,thetupping,hell,eventhesmuggling.Mysisterdeservesbetter.”
Natenoddedslowly.“Isee.SoIwasgoodenoughtoaskforhelp.Goodenoughtoaidyouinthepast,

even,butnotgoodenoughforyoursister.”

“Youwillcallthisoff,Nate,”Jacobdemanded.“CallthisofforI’lltellher.”
“Icannot.”
Jacobpeeredathim.“Whynot?”
“Iloveher,”hesaidsimply.
Patience’sbrotherstaredathimforseveralmoments.“Howisityouhavegonefrombeggingmeto

saveyoufrommysistertofallinginlovewithher?”

Natereleasedaquicklaugh.“Iwasnotbeggingyoutosavemefromher.Iwasbeggingyoutosave

herfromherself.Ifyoudidnotarrivewhenyoudid,Imaynothavebeenabletoprotecther.”

“Fromyourselfyoumean?”
Jacob’shandcurledaroundhisneckinmoments.Fingerpresseddeepintohisskin,makinghisface

hotandhisneckhurt.Natehelduphishands.HewouldnothurtPatience’sbrothernorwouldhefightan
injuredman.

“Iloveher,Jacob,”herepeated,thewordsstrangled.
“Youweregoingtotupher.HadInotinterfered,youwouldhavetakenhertobed,that’swhatyou’re

saying, is it not? All this talk in your letter of her being too wild, too dangerous for the mission, was
nonsense.”

Nate would have laughed again if he could have, but the pressure on his neck remained and was

beginningtosendhisvisionalittleblurry.“Well,sheiswild.”

“Damnit,Nate.Iexpectedbetterfromyou.”Jacobreleasedhimsuddenlyandthrusthimback.
Natetookthemomenttodrawinabreathandadjusthiscravat.“Iloveyoursister.Imeanthat.Hell,I

probablylovedherevenwhenIwrotetoyou.ButIdidn’tknowthatthen.AllIknewwasthatIneededto
protecther.Ididnottrusthernottomakerashdecisions.”

JacobcurledafistandNateliftedbothhandsinaplacatingmove.
“Andnotaboutme,Iswearit.”
Nate inwardly cursed himself for his cowardly move. He should have talked her out of going with

Paulinebutthetruthwas,hewasterrifiedshe’dgoandthenwhat?He’dbeleftwithouther.

Damn.Eventhenhe’dbeeninlovewithher.Hejusthadnotrealizedit.
“You’re a damned animal, Nate,” Jacob spat. “How am I to believe you feel differently about my

sistertoanyotherwomanyou’vebedded?”

Nateliftedabrow.“You’rehardlyaninnocent.”
“Thisismysisterwearespeakingof,”Jacobsnapped.“Idon’tgiveadamnwhatmypastis.Theonly

onethatmattersisyours.”

Nodding,Natesighed.“Iknow.”Hepushedahandthroughhishair.“Iknow.Ihavebeennoangel.

Heck,I’vebeenworsethanthat.ButIwanttomarryPatience,andIwanttomakethisagoodmarriage.I
wanttodevoteeverywakinghourtoher.”Helaughedathimself.“IwantthatwomanmorethanI’veever
wantedanythingandIwouldnever,neverhurther.Isweartoyou,allIwanttodoismakeherhappy.”

Jacobturnedawaybrieflyandpacedpastthefireplacethenbackagain.“Thatbetterbetrue.Youhave

alwaysbeenonefortheladiesbutyouwereneveraliar.Ihopethathasnotchanged.”

“Iswearit.”
“Well, then, I suppose…” Jacob drew in a breath and exhaled it slowly. “I suppose you have my

blessing.”Heheldoutahand.

AdoorslammedbeforeNatecouldshakeit.Heturnedtoseethedrawingroomdoorajarandhisgaze

connectedwithHannah’s.Hepushedopenthedoor.“WasthatPatience?”

Hannahnodded.“Iamsorry,Nate.Sheoverheardyourconversation.Icouldnotdrawheraway.”
He dashed past her into the secondary drawing room and glanced out of the window. Sure enough,

Patiencewasalreadymountingherhorse.Bythetimehecaughtupwithher,shewouldbelonggone.

“Wherewillshebegoing?”hedemandedofJacob.
Herbrothershrugged.
“Ineedmyhorse.”
Jacobputahandtohisshoulder.“IfIwereyou,letherbe.Youknowwhathertemperislike.Give

herawhilethengotoher.Tellhereverythingyoutoldme.Ifthatdoesnotwork,thenIdonotknowwhat
will.”

Natepressedhispalmsagainstthewindowsillandwatchedhersetoffatagallop.Hisheartpounded

so hard in his chest he feared he’d crack a rib. Damn him. Damn his idiocy. Damn him for not
understandingsoonerhowhefeltabouther.Whyhadhenotbeenhonest?Damn,damn,damn.

ChapterTwenty-Three

Greatamberandpinkstreakslitthesky,tearingthewayacrossitasthoughtheskyhadbeenslicedbya
swordmultipletimes.Thesunlingeredonthehorizon,notquitereadytogiveupfortheday.

Patiencehad,however.Shehadsurrendered.Shehadwavedthewhiteflag.Rolledoverandplayed

dead.Nomoreofthischarade,shetoldherself.

Noteventherhythmicpoundingofherhorse’shoovesbeneathhercouldsootheawaytheangryache

throbbinginherheart.Shehadneverfeltthelikesofitbeforeandsheneverwanteditagain.Nowonder
shehadspentherlifeavoidingmenandromanticfeelings.Theyweresimplyhorrible.

She swiped a tear that rolled traitorously down her cheek and sniffed hard. Unfortunately more

followedandbythetimeshereachedhome,hercheeksweredampandhereyessore.

The horse insisted on giving her a quick nuzzle as Patience stowed the gelding in the stable.

ApparentlytheanimalknewwellhowPatiencewasfeeling.Thoughshedidnotdareremainwithhertoo
longorelsethesimpleaffectionfromthemountwouldlikelyhavehercrumblingtothefloor.

Tothinkshenearly—No,shewouldnotsayittoherself.Patiencestompedfromthestableandmade

herwayaroundthebackofthehouse.Lampswerelitinthedrawingroomandupstairssohermotheror
brotherwerein.Shecouldnotfacethemwitharednoseandlikelyswolleneyessosheoptedforsitting
inthegazebointhegarden.

Whyhadsheevertrustedthatman?Shetoreoffaleaffromanearbyplantandshreddeditintotiny

piecesbeforestartingonanotherpoor,defenselessleaf.Whyhadsheeverletherselffallunderhisspell?
Thesepastweekshadbeenconfusingand…andridiculous.Shehadnotknownwhethershewascoming
orgoing.

Butnowsheknew.Shewasgoing.RunningfarawayfromNathanielKingsley,themanwhodidnot

trusthertodoherjob.First,shewouldcallofftheengagement.ShewouldtellHarrythathewasacad.A
manwhocouldnotbetrusted.Harrymightstillbedisappointedbuthewouldnotblameherifhethought
Nate was a man of bad character. Then she would go to her cousins’ in Devon. Stay there for a few
monthsperhaps.Waitforthegossiptovanish.

Andwhenshereturnedshewouldavoidlookingthatmanintheeyeseveragain.
Agreat,uglysobescapedher.Evenasshetriedtokeepitin.Thesoundwassohideousthatanother

followedit.Thenanother.Shewasnotsureifshewascryingbecauseshehatedthatshewascryingor
becausesheloathedthethoughtofneverseeingNateagain.

Foolthatshewas.
Thatmandidnotdeservehertears.Sheflungahalf-shreddedleafawayanditflutteredontoherlap.

Sheeyedthedisobedientleafandbrusheditoffherlegs.Natedeservednothing.Hehadtoyedwithher,
perhapsusingherasamomentarydistraction.Hehadusedherillindeed.Ifanyoneunderstoodhowmuch
that mission had meant to her, it was Nate. All those quiet evenings spent spilling out secrets she had
neveradmittedtoanyone…

A crazed laugh bubbled from her. How foolish she must have sounded. How much he must have

laughed.PoorlittlePatienceGrey.Noonetotalktobutaroguewithnomorals.

“Whatthedevilwasthatnoise?”
PatiencetwistedherheadtoviewHarryheadingdownthegardenpath.Hecarriedacandle,muchto

herregret.Perhapsshewouldhaveescapedhissympathyhadhenotbeenabletoseeherface.

Shesniffedandshrugged.“Catperhaps.”
Hesmiledandcametositbyher.“Orawailingwoman.”
“Strange.Ihaveseennowailingwomen.”
Harrysetthecandleholderonthealcoveinthegazeboandtwistedtoeyeher.“IthinkIhave.”
Ahandreacheduptobrushhercheekandthatdidit.Shefeltherselfcrumbleintwo.Harryopenedhis

armsanddrewherintothem.Theshockofthecontactmadethetearscomeharderandfaster.Shecould
not recall the last time her brother had embraced her. When she was five perhaps and had skinned her
knee,ormaybewhenshefellfromatreeattheageofseven.

He brushed her hair with a palm and made soothing noises. She could not be sure what they were

becausethetearsstillcame.Afterawhile,shecouldnotbesurewhatshewascryingfor.Thelossofa
sillydreamperhaps.Theideathatmaybe,justmaybe,someonelikeNatecouldcareforher.Sheimagined
someofthetearswereforherbrotherandhiscareofher.Howhehadlookedafterhersinceshewasa
younggirlandallshelongedtodowasmakehimproud—yetshehadfailed.

ThankstoNate,shethoughtbitterly.
Whenherheadbegantohurtandherthroatgrewdry,thetearsslowed.Harrydidnotpushheraway

butletherremainagainsthischestuntilherbreathingsteadied.Finally,sheeasedherselfupandswiped
herhot,stickyfacewithahand.

Harryofferedherahandkerchiefandshegaveanunladylikeblow.
“Better?”heasked.
“Ithinkso.”Hervoicesoundedrawandhollow.
Lifting her head, she gazed out at the garden. The sun had vanished entirely, cloaking it in a black,

unrelentingblanket.Cloudshidthestarsfromviewandallthatcouldbeseenwasthatwhichwaslitby
thecandle.

“Wouldyouliketotellmewhatthatwasabout?”
Drawinginalong,longbreath,shetwistedtoeyeHarry.“Ihavedisappointedyouagain.”
“Howso?”
Shelickedherdrylips.“IfailedJacob’smission.”
Hescowled.“Youfoundtheinformation.Howisthatfailure?”
“Ididnotfinishit.Jacobdid.”
“FromwhatIhear,youdidallthework.Jacobwasmerelythemessenger.Butwhyshouldanyofthat

mattertome?”

“Because…because…”Shesighedandlethershouldersslump.“BecauseyouareproudofJacoband

GeorgeandEdward.Theyareallservingtheircountry.Ijustwantedtodothesame.”

Harryshookhisheadandlaughedalittle.“Patience,youhavemorethanmademeproud.Youalways

did.Whoelsecouldclaimtohavesuchaheadstrongsisterthattheyneednotworryaboutherfallinginto
thearmsofsomerogue?Whocouldsaywithconfidencethattheirsistercouldlikelytakeontwentymen
twicehersizeandcomeawaywithoutascratch?Youarewithoutadoubtthestrongestandfiercestsister
amancouldaskforandIamluckytohaveyou.Ihaveneverneededtoescortyouaboutthecountryand
searchoutaboringhusbandtoensureyousettledandwerenottakenadvantageof.Icountmyselfalucky
man.”

Sheabsorbedthewordsbutthereweresomany,itwashardtotakethemallin.SoHarrywasproud

ofherafterallthen?

“ButIdonotthinkyouarecryingbecauseyousupposedlyfailed.Afterall,youhavebeenhomesome

timesincethemissionandyouwerenotcryingbefore.”

Shesqueezedthehandkerchiefhardbetweenherhands,asthoughshecouldcrushawaythememoryof

her humiliation. Patience lifted her chin and met her brother’s concerned gaze. If she had known how
proudofherhewas,wouldshehavepushedherselfashardthroughoutherlife?Couldshehaveignored

whatshehadheardfromherfatherallthoseyearsagobeforehisdeath?Didsheevenregretthatshehad
beensocompetitive?Perhaps.Butperhapsnot.Afterall,shehadbutonlyoneregret—andthatwasever
consideringgivingherhearttoNate.

“I-IhavebrokenofftheengagementwithNathanielKingsley.”
“Ah.”
“Youaredisappointed,”shestated,turninghergazetoherlap.
“Inhim,yes,ifitturnsouthewasnotasinlovewithyouasIthought.”
Shesnappedhergazetohis.“Youthinkhewasinlovewithme?”
“Didhenevertellyouthat?”
“Well,I…”No,hehadnot.ButhehadtoldJacob.Hehadsaidmanylovelythingstoherbrotherthat

he had yet to say to her. However, that did not excuse his behavior did it? If he truly cared for her, he
wouldnothaveruinedthingsforher.ThechanceswereshewouldneverhavereallygonewithPauline
buthestolethatchoicefromher.“Notassuch,”shefinishedsoftly.

“Buthedoesloveyou?”
Patienceliftedashoulder.“Ithinkso,but…”
“Doyoulovehim?”
“Yes.”
Thewordcameoutwithoutthought,withoutitevenechoinginherhead.Yes,shelovedhim.Shehad

likelylovedhimforsometimenow.Sincetheirfirstnightsalone,maybe.Itwashardtotell.Ithadbeen
sneakinguponher,workingitswayintoherverybones.

Love.
It now pounded in her heart with every beat. Love, love, love. But did she want to love a man that

wouldsodisregardherneeds,evenifhedidseemtothinkhewassomehowsavingherfromherself?

“Patience, Nathaniel Kingsley is everything a brother could want for a sister—in rank and wealth.

However,hischaracterleavessomethingtobedesired.Thatsaid,theveryobviouslovehehadforyou
fromthemomentIsawhimpersuadedmethatifyoudidindeedlovehim,Ishouldgiveyoumyblessing.”

“Hischaracter…”Shedrewinabreath.“Hischaracteris…”Shesmiled.“NathanielKingsleyisa

rogue.Heisaflirt.He’sthemostinfuriating,pig-headed,annoyingmanIhaveevermet.ButIwaswrong
about him for the most part. He is loyal and trustworthy. He has done more for this country than most
peoplewilleverunderstand,atgreatperil.”

Harryfrownedbutlethercontinue.
Thesoftsmilerefusedtoabate.“Heisnotsoverybad,Isuppose.”
Harrychuckled.“Ifheisnotsoverybad,whyareyoubreakingofftheengagement?”
Sheshookherheadslowly.“Iamnotsure.IdonotknowifthethingsthatIthoughtwereimportantare

now.”

Herbrothersqueezedherhand.“Letmebetheolder,wiserbrotherforbutamoment.Iamnoexpert

inlove—GodknowsIhaveyettofindmymatch—buttherearefewmenwhocouldkeepupwithyou,
Patience.IbelieveNateisoneofthem.Ifhehasyourbestinterestsatheart,thenwhateverhadhappened
tomakeyouthinkbadlyofhim,Isuggestyouatleastspeakwithhimaboutit.Youdohaveatendencyto
leapwithoutthinking.Donotruinachanceatlove.”

Patiencepeeredatherbrother.“Whendidyoubecomesowise?”
“Thewar,”hesaidgrimly,“makesonegrowupfast.Besides,raisingthreebrothersandasisterdoes

tendtomakeonematureratherswiftly.”

“Weareluckytohaveyou.”
“AndIyou.Now,whatareyougoingtodoaboutthischapofyours?”
Patiencesmiled.Shehadanidea.

ChapterTwenty-Four

Nateeyedthebedwithdistaste.Itdidnotmatterhowlateitwas,howcouldhepossiblysleep?Hetugged
off his cravat in a half-hearted attempt to ready for bed and set down his cufflinks on the mahogany
armoire.RedhadlittlesympathyforhimandhadorderedhimofftobedsoheandHannahdidnothaveto
look at his miserable face any longer. It was all very well for them, they had each other. What did he
have?

A sort of fiancée, who was not really his fiancée, but one whom everyone thought was his fiancée,

whohereallydidwishtobecomehisfiancéebutlikelyneverwouldnow.

Anyway, he did not much wish to be around those two. With the wedding mere weeks away, their

obviousloveforoneanotherwasbecominghardertostomach.Particularlywhenhewaswell-awarehe
hadruinedeverything.

Tomorrow.HewouldgoandtalktoPatiencetomorrow.Ormorelikelygetanearfulfromher.Either

way, he’d face his fate, tell her the truth behind his actions and grovel on his knees if he had to.
ApparentlywhenitcametoPatiencehewasnotbeyondthat.HislettertoJacobhadbeenrashandfoolish
butafterhethoughthewasgoingtolosehertosomeexotic,dangerouscountry,hehaddecidedhehadto
stopherforherowngood.

Lookwherethathadbroughthim.
Downtohiskneesifneedsbe,itseemed.
Whatanarrogantfoolhewas.Heslippedoffhiswaistcoatandunbuttonedhisshirt.Movingoverto

the washbasin, he dunked his hands in the cold water and bent to splash it across his face. Nate
straightened,pusheddampfingersthroughhishairandletoutthehundredthsighofthatnight.

Maybeheshouldhavegoneafterher.Hedidnotknow.OfcoursePatiencewouldbefuriousbutwhat

werethechancesofhercalmingdownbythemorning?He’dalmostratherhavefacedherstraightaway
thanletherstewaway,gettingangrierbythemomentandconcoctingallsortsofrevenge.

HehadacquiescedtoJacobbecausehewasherbrother.Heknewherbetter.Except,Natewasnotso

sure now. Patience had never confided with any of her brothers about how she felt, how she longed so
badlytomakethemproud.Onlyheknewthat.

Themorehethoughtaboutit,themorehegrewconvincedthatheknewherbetterthanthemall.
Glancing at the clock, he debated it. If he turned up now and Harry was aware Nate had upset

Patience, he might end up called out for a duel or at least end up with a door slammed in his face. He
probablydeservedtobecalledout.HehadnotbeenhonestwithPatienceandforthathehadpaiddearly.

Butdamnit,heneededtoseeher.Nootherwomanhadevertangledhimupinknotsso.Noonehad

beenabletocausehimsuchanguish.ThatwassimplybecausenootherwomanwaslikePatience.

Hishandhoveredoverhisjacket.Togoornottogo.Beforehecouldmakethedecision,therewasa

rattleatthewindow.Hescowledandpeeredatit.Therewasnoraintonightnorwind.Unlessagreattree
hadsuddenlysproutedovernight,therewasnothingthatcouldmakesuchanoise.

Therattle—thatwasmorelikeatapwhenhethoughtaboutit—happenedagain.Hestrodeoverand

slungbackthecurtains.

Henearlyfelloverbackwards.
“Patience, bloody hell.” He yanked at the handle on the window only to find the cold weather had

made it seize up. He tried again. “Bloody, goddamn, bloody, idiot woman. What in the hell…” he

mutteredashewrangledwiththemetallatch.

Itfinallygavewayandhetoreopenthewindowtohaulherin.Heyankedherinsofastandhardthat

theytoppledtothefloortogether.Hereleasedanoofandfoundhimselfmomentarilydazed.

Nateblinkedseveraltimesbeforefocusinghisvisiononthewomanontopofhim.Herhairwaswild

aroundhershoulders,agolden,frizzymessthatmadeherfaceseempetite.Sheworeadress.Thesame
god-awful pink one that should have been consigned to a bonfire as soon as it had been designed. The
dresswastiedaroundherlegsmuchlikethenighttheyhadbrokenintoMagnus’house.

That was not the most unusual thing about her, however. No, it was the wide grin on her face that

baffledhim.Maybeshewasconsideringthrowingapunchhiswayandthatwasthecauseforamusement.

“You’readamnedfoolishwoman,”hesaid,grabbingherarmsandeasingheroffhim.“Ifyouwanted

toshoutatme,youcouldhavecomethroughthefrontdoor.

Hestoodandslammedshutthewindow.Thewindowshookinprotestandhewinced.Heturnedto

herandthrustoutafinger.“Nomoreclimbingdamnedbuildings,doyouunderstandme?Nomore,little
one.Youcouldhavekilledyourself.”

She said nothing, merely held onto that strange smile that only made him madder. What was she

thinking,scalingthewallsofthehall?HisroomwasawholelevelhigherthanthewindowatMagnus’
house.

“WhatwouldIhavedonehadyoudied?”hecontinued.“What—”
Shegrabbedhisfaceinbothhands,roseontotiptoesandflattedherlipstohis.
“WhatwouldIhavedone?”hesaid,thewordssmothered.
Patience drew back long enough to shush him then kissed him again. The fight vanished. He had no

ideawhyshewaskissinghimorwhatthedevilwashappening,andhedidnotmuchcare.Lethersilence
himforeverwithherkisses.Hewoulddieahappyman.

Handstohisshoulders,shecoaxedhimaroundsothathisbackwastothebed.Shetookastepback

andgavehimagentleshove.Hefellbackontothebedandpushedhimselfupontohiselbowstoview
her.

Uglypinkdressornot,hehadneverdesiredanyonewithasmuchintensityasthis.Fromherhaloof

messyhairtothebunchedfabricaroundhermuscledcalves,hecouldnotwanthermore.

Fistsonhips,sheeyedhim,andhehadtowonderifthiswasnotpartofsomeplanofrevenge.Get

himarousedthenhumiliatehiminsomeway.Ifso,hewouldgladlytakepart.Hewoulddowhatevershe
bidifitgavehimachancetotrytoexplainhimselftoher.

“Patience,I—”
Shecameforwardandclimbedatophim,kneesoneithersideofhislegs.Thesweet,freshscentof

hercloudedabouthim.Heglancedathercleavagewhichwasdirectlyinhislineofsight.Actually,the
dresswasnotsobadafterallifhethoughtaboutit.Thewayitcuppedhergenerousbreastswhilegiving
himthetiniesthintoffleshwasenoughtodriveamanwild.

“Ilikethisdress,”hesaid,hisapologyforgottenmomentarily.
“Youdo?”Shelaughed.“Ithoughtitwashideous.”
“Whywearitthen?”
“Because,LordNathanielKingsley,Iintendtoseduceyou.”Sheleanedforward,forcinghimtolie

backonthebed.

Herhairdriftedoverhim,teasinghisskin.Herthighsheldhiminplacewhiletheapexofherthighs

pressedhardagainsthisarousal.Hiseyesnearrolledbackinhishead.

“You’redoingafinejob.”Thewordscameoutstrangled.“Butwhy?”hemanagedtoforceoutasher

breathwhisperedoverhislipsandacrosshisslightlystubbledchin.

Shepressedakisstothesideofhisneckandatremorofanticipationriotedthroughhim.Thensheput

herlipstohisAdam’sappleanddowntohiscollarbone.Shecameuplongenoughtoremovehisglasses

andsetthemasidebeforecontinuingthiswonderfullytorturouspatternofkissingalloverhisfaceuntil
shecametohislips.

“Iheardwhatyousaid.”Thewordswereutteredagainsthischeek.
“Iknow,and,Patience,youshouldknowthat—”
“Youloveme.”
“Well,yesthattoo.”
“Good.”Sheliftedherheadtomeethisgaze.“Iloveyoutoo.”
Anyreplyvanished.Thebumblingwordsofapologyweregone.Afanfareoftriumphsoundedinhis

mind.Yes,yes,yes.Hehadthiswoman’slove.And,apparently,shewasnotatallangry.

By the time he’d considered summoning more words of apology, she was kissing him again. And

rubbing. God almighty, there was rubbing. Her body rocked against his, sending surge after surge of
pleasurethroughhim.Hedrewinabreathandpushedhishandsthroughherhair.Whateverhadhappened
betweenherfindingoutaboutwhathehaddoneandnow,hehardlycaredanymore.Allheknewwasthat
Patiencelovedhimandwasintentondrivinghimovertheedge.Well,ifshewasgoingtopushhiminto
theabyss,hewastakingherwithhim.

Hekissedherbackhardandfast,delvingdeepanddrinkinginthetasteofher.Whenhebrokeaway

brieflytodrawinabreath,hesawflushedcheeksandglisteningskin.

“Wheredidyoulearntoseduce?”heasked.Halfofhimwasjestingbuttheotherhadhimworrying

shehadbeenputtingherskillstopracticeelsewhere.

“Fromyou.”
“Fromme?”
Shenoddedandtuckedherbottomlipunderherteeth.Asmilecurvedherlips.“YoutaughtmeallI

knowaboutbeingawoman.”

Heliftedhisbrows.“Well,thatwascleverofme.”
Patience chuckled. “Do you not see? All those compliments, all that flirtation. All those roguish

commentsandthosekissesandtouches,they…well,theymademeunderstand.”

“Understandwhat?”
“Thatthereisnoshameinwearingadressandbeingfeminine.Thatthereisnothingweakinbeing

womanly.That,essentially,itcanbequiteapowerfulexperience.Youtaughtmethat.”

He eyed this brave, bold woman in front of him with a smile. “And here I thought you knew

everything.”

“Almosteverything,”sheconceded.
“Icanteachyoumore.”
“Thendo,”shebegged.“Thendo.”
Nateneedednomorecoercion.Notthatheeverneededanyinthefirstplace.Herolledherontoher

back. Peppering kisses over her neck and the rise of her breasts, he began to untangle the dress from
around her legs. He worked her stockings down and found her mouth with his. She writhed underneath
him,movingherbodylikeawaveontheocean,beckoninghimtohisdoom.

Well,doomedmanthathewas,hewasmorethanhappytosinkwiththisship.Oncehehadworkedoff

her gown and discovered, much to his delight that only a slip remained underneath, he set to work on
drowninghimselfinher.Hepushedupthecottontoeyethesoftfleshofherthighs.Hekissedandbitat
theinsideofthemwhileurgingthechemisehigher.

Natesetalightkisstoherslightlyroundedbellythenup,andup.“Christalmighty.”Hedamnedwell

nearlyspilledinhisbreechesthenandthere.Thewomanhadthemostspectacularbreastsamanhadever
seteyeson.

Whenherbreastswerefullyrevealedandherchemisehadbeencastaside,hecontinuedkissinghis

wayalonghertremblingbody.Herfingernailsrantracksoverhisskin,leavingtrailsoftinglingsensation

alloverhim.Hiscockstrainedagainsttheconfinesofhisclothes.

Hegaveherafirmkissandstood.Forthemostpartitwastoremovehisclothing,butitalsogavehim

theaddedadvantageofadmiringherspreadacrosshisbed.Herarmswereslightlybrownerthantherest
ofherandatiny‘v’ofcolorwherehershirtalwaysremainedopenledhiseyedowntoherbreasts.Her
nippleswerepinkandpale,andjustperfectfortasting.

Ablushofcolorranacrossherchestandupintoherface.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
Hefoughtwiththebuttonsofhisshirt.“Undressing.”Hefrownedatthebuttonsthatseemedtohave

becomethesmallestbuttonsintheworldandwerecompletelyimpossibletoholdonto.“Tryingto.”

Shemovedtositupbuthemotionedherdown.“Stay.Iwanttoadmireyou.Donotmoveamuscle.”
Hesawherthroatworkbutshedidashebidandremainedutterlystill,hereyessteadilywideningas

hefinallymasteredbuttonsandrevealedhischestthenstrippedtohisskin.Sheswallowedagain.

“Iwillnothurtyou,”hepromised,placinghisbodyoverhers.
“Iknow.”
Though the temptation to bury himself deep inside her was fierce, he did not give in. Patience’s

pleasureandcomfortwouldbehisfirstthought.Hiscocktouchedherdampquimandhegroaned.Shelet
out a hiss and shuddered. He grinned to himself as he buried his face into the crook of her neck and
nibbledatthesensitiveskinthere.

Hemovedagain,touchinghisarousaltoherfoldsandthatsameshudderrepeateditself.Shiftinghis

hips,hemovedslightlyharder,eachtimebrushinghiscockupanddownhersensitivespot.Hernailsdug
intohisshoulders.

Ifhefocusedhard,hecouldforgetthepleasureitbroughthim.Heforcedhimselftothinkonlyofher

slightly whimpering noises and the subtle movements of her body. With each gentle, rubbing thrust, her
body grew more limp, more pliable. The whimpers turned into cries. He picked up the pace until she
stiffenedandhernailsbitintohisskininafartoopleasurableway.Hisnamespilledfromherlipsina
breathycryandshewilted.

Natemovedbacktoviewherandpushedherhairfromherdampenedface.“Youarenottheonlyone

whocanseduce,”hesaidwithagrin.

“No,”sheagreed,drawinginalong,shudderingbreath.“Iamnot.”
Heeasedupherlegandopenedhertohim.Withonefinger,hetestedher,findingherwetandready.

Heplacedinanotherfinger,thenanother.Hereyeswidenedbuttherewasnopainthere.

Loweringhimselfdownontoher,heurgedherlegsoverhishipsandkissedherhardbeforemoving

back.Hewantedtoseeherexpressionformanyreasons.Firstly,toensurehedidnothurtherbutsecondly
sohecouldneverforgetthetimehemadePatiencehis.

Heinchedincautiously,jawclenchedasthetightnessclosedinaroundhim.Thedesiretoclosehis

eyeswarredwiththeneedtoseeher.Heeasedforwardagain,surelymovingattheslowestpaceaman
hadevermoved.Hismusclesstrainedwithrestraint.

Deeperagain.Deeper,deeper.Hereyeswerewide,hermouthwasopeninan‘o’shape.Hairsplayed

overhisbedsheets,herhandsnowdiggingintohisrear,shewasthepictureofseduction.Howcouldany
manresist?

Hemovedonemoretimeandwaited.Inthoseseveralheartbeats,heabsorbedthesensationofbeing

joinedwiththewomanheloved.Handonheart,itwasnothinglikehehadeverexperiencedbefore.

“Goingtomarryyou,”hemurmuredbeforeeasingbackandslidinginagain.
Shemoaned.“Yes.”
“Youwishtomarryme?”
“Yes,”sherepeated,herlidsflutteringashepickedupthepace.“Yes,yes,yes.”
Natewouldhavetoaskheragainwhenhewasnotburieddeepinsideofhertobecertainbutfornow

hewouldtakethatasayes.

Thepleasurebuiltashekissedherdeep,theirtonguestangling.AsPatiencebegantounderstandthe

rhythm,shemovedherhipswithhim,bringingmoreecstasythanhethoughtpossible.Herbodybeganto
quiverandtightenaroundhim,andhegrittedhisteethtokeepcontrol.

Herpeakcameslowly,rollingoverthembothinsubtlewaves.Sheutteredanothersoft“Yes”andher

bodyspasmedonelasttime.Hegavehimselfuptoherthen,closinghiseyesandgroaningloudlyashe
spilledintoherinonegut-wrenchingorgasm.

Pushingupontohiselbows,hestareddownatthewomanwhohadchangedhislifeirrevocablyand

realizedhehadnoregrets.Hewasalwayslookingforhisnextadventure,afterall,anditseemedPatience
wouldbethat—andhehadnodoubtshewouldkeephimonhistoesfortherestofhislife.

“Inevermeanttohurtyou,”hesaidquickly.
“Youdidnot.Thatwaswonderful.”Shesmoothedapalmoverhischeekandhenearlyforgotwhathe

wantedtosay.

“No,withregardstotellingJacobheneededtocomeandhelp.”
“Iknow.”
“Do you? Do you understand how insane you made me? I could hardly think straight. I was scared,

littleone.Scaredofthelengthsyouwouldgotoandscaredyouwouldleaveme.”

“You?Scared?Surelynot.”
Henodded.Admittingthatonewasscaredshouldnothavefeltlikeagoodthingandyetitdid.The

burdenhadfallenfromhisshouldersandlefthimfeelingweightless.

“Youareanamazingwoman.HowcouldIeverhopetokeepyouhappy?”
“Moremomentslikethiswouldbenice,”shesaidwithagrin.
“Saucywench,”heteased.
“Iwasangry,”sheadmitted.“Youknowwhy.”
“Ido.”
“ButIrealizedIhadbeenchasingthewrongthingsforthewrongreasons.AndthatIhadtochasethe

thingsIwanted.Namely,you.”

Ifhegrinnedanyharder,hewouldbreakhisface.Sohekissedherforeheadandeasedoffhersohe

couldwrapherinhisarms.“Well,youhavenoneedtochasemeanylonger.Iamyours.Forbetterorfor
worse.”

Epilogue

“Donotbejealous,Red.”

Nate’sbrothernarrowedhisgazeathim.“Iamnotjealous.”
“Couldhavefooledme.”Natepointedtohiscravat.“Doesthislookrighttoyou?Hamiltoncouldnot

seemtogetitrightthismorning.”

“Yourvaletisoneofthebestthereis.Itlooksfine.”
Natepeeredintothefull-lengthmirrorandscowled.HehadtolookperfectforPatience,especially

after all the fuss there had been over The Dress. It would be the only time he would ever see Patience
actuallyinterestedinagownandhewouldnotruinthingsforherbylookinglessthanflawless.

“Whatisthetime?”Natedemanded.
Redpulledouthispocketwatch.“Timetoleave.Yourfiancéshouldbeatthechurchsoon.”
Natenodded,drewinabreathandstraightenedhiswaistcoatoncemore.Therewaslittlehecoulddo

now. If he tweaked or toyed with his finery any longer they would be late to the church and Patience
wouldstringhimupformakingherwait.

Heglancedathisbrother’sfrown.“Dostopscowling.Youaremeanttobetheproudbrother.”
“Iamnot.”Redattemptedtosmileanditwasthoroughlydisconcerting.
“Yourweddingisamereweekaway.Itwillbeyourturnsoon.”
Redshookhisheadandgenuinelysmiledthistime.“Ithasbeentoodamnedlong.”
“Iknewyouwerejealous.”
“Well,someofushavetodothingsproperly,unfortunately.”
“WhereasIamthescandalousyoungerbrotherwhosweptawomanoffherfeetandnowmustmake

thingsrightbymarryingher.”Hegrinned.

“Indeed.”Hisbrotherliftedabrow.“ButIamgladyouaremakingthingsright.Youwouldhavebeen

damnedmiserablehadyounotpersuadedPatiencetomarryyou.”

Nateliftedachin.“Iliketothinkshewouldhavebeenmiserablewithoutmetoo.”
“Ifyousayso,”Redsaiddryly.“Comeletusnotkeepyourbridewaiting.”
Nateandhisbrotherheadedouttothecarriage.Hannahwaitedfortheminside,havingannouncedthey

neededsometimealonetogether.PerhapssheexpectedRedtogivehimsomewordsofwisdombutNate
needednone.HeknewfullwellwhatheneededtodowithPatience.Loveher,treasureher,worshipthe
damnedgroundshewalkedon.Awomanlikehermadethateasyenoughbecause,quitefrankly,itwasno
lessthanwhatshedeserved.

KnightandDrakewerealsohuddledintothecarriage.ItwasoddtoseeKnightsquashedintoaformal

waistcoatandjacket.Hehalfexpectedthegoldbuttonstopopoffatanymomentasthecarriagesetoff.

Theymostlyremainedsilentonthejourneytothechurch.Natetriednottofidgetbutitwashardto

remain still when he considered how close he was to marrying Patience. They had arranged a quick
weddingwithalicensefromthebishoptoavoidhavingtoreadthebanns.Mostofthevillagehadbeen
merrilygossipingaboutthemanywaysoitwasnobigscandal.Asfarashewasconcerned,hecouldnot
waittomakeherofficiallyhiswife.Heunderstoodhisbrother’sfrustrationathavingtowaitsolongto
wedHannah.

Manyofthevillagersweregatheredoutsidethechurchwhentheyarrived.Nateshookmanyhandsand

utteredafewthankyousasmenandwomenwishedhimwell.Hepausedashespottedafamiliarface.

Thewoman,herfacemostlyhiddenunderahugehat,gavehimaslowsmile.

“Iwouldhavethoughtyouhadleftthecountrybynow.”
Pauline’ssmileexpanded.“Soon,”shesaid.
“Managedtogivethegovernmentmenaslipthen?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Iwishyouwell.”
“AsdoI.IwillnotstaybutbesuretotellPatiencethatIhopesheembraceshernextadventure.AndI

hopeshehasflungawaythatawfulpinkdress.”

Natelaughedandrecalledthelasttimeshehadwornthehideousgarment.Truthbetold,hehadquite

anaffectionforitnow.Heshouldputitinaframeorhaveitlockedinatreasurebox.

“Aurevoir,Nathaniel.”Paulinetwistedintothecrowdandvanished.Nateshookhisheadatthebrief

encounter. He had a suspicion Pauline would have no problems settling wherever she went and likely
findingsomegenerousdonortoprovideherwithallthatsheneeded.

Patiencedidnotleavehimwaitingtoolong.Whenthechurchdoorsopened,hisheartnearlyleaptout

of his throat and flopped onto the aisle. Not from nerves, however. He had simply never seen anything
quitelikeit.TheDresswaswellworthallthefussitseemed.Whitelaceanddelicateembroiderywitha
matchingbonnethadturnedhisPatienceintoquitethesitetobehold.

As she beamed at him, he could feel a ridiculous grin taking hold and there was little he could do

about it. What made his smile increase was the sight of the sheep, walking on a lead next to Patience,
flowerstwinedaroundtheleather.

ShecametohissideandhandedthesheepovertoherbrotherJacob,andtheyfacedthevicarwhile

everyonesettledintothepews.HeleanedintoPatience.

“TheDressiswonderful.Youlookspectacular.”
“Thankyou.”Atingeofcolorappearedonhercheeks.
“Ihopethisdoesnotmeanthisistheendofthebreeches.”
“Never,”shepromised.
SomethingnudgedthebackofhislegsandurgedhimclosertoPatience.Nateturnedtofindthesheep

backing up and preparing for another shove. Jacob gave him an apologetic look and tried to rein the
animalbackin.

“Ithinkthesheepwantsustogetonwithit.”
Patiencenodded.“Ithinkshemightberight.”Heleaneddowntokissherandthesofttouchofherlips

almost made him forget they had an audience of just under one hundred. The vicar coughed and Nate
straightened.

“MayI?”thevicarasked.
Natechuckled.“Pleasedo.”Hehadneverbeenmorereadyforhisnextadventure.

THEEND

Enjoyedthistitle?Pleaseconsiderleavingareview!

WantONEnotificationwhenWaitingforaRogueLikeYouisreleased.Signup

here

ClaimyourFREEhistoricalromanceboxset

here.

OthertitlesbySamanthaHolt

You’retheRogueThatIWant

(Book1oftheRoguesofRedmereSeries)

TheCynfellBrother’sSeries

Author’sNote

PaulineFourèsdidexist.ShewasNapoleon’smistressandherearlyhistoryinthisstoryiscorrect.However,Itookafewlibertiesandbrought

hertoEngland.Inreality,shedivorcedherhorriblehusbandwhilsttheywerestationedinEgyptwheredivorcewasrelativelyeasy.She

remainedNapoleon’smistressforsometwomonthsmoreuntilhewenttoSyriaandthenFrance.Verysimply,Napoleoneventuallylost

interest—orwasperhapswaryofcreatingscandalwhenhebecameFirstConsul—andrefusedtoseeherwhenshereturnedtoFrance.He

giftedherahousenearParisandmoney.Shemarriednotlongafter.

Herlaterhistoryiswhatinterestedmemostinher.Shewasapainter,aharpplayer,wrotetwonovels,andmovedtoBraziltosellexoticwood

toFrancewithanewhusband.Shelivedalong—andhopefullyhappy—lifefinallyreturningtoParistoliveinanapartmentsurroundedby

monkeys.

Author’sNote

Pauline Fourès did exist. She was Napoleon’s mistress and her early history in this story is correct.
However,ItookafewlibertiesandbroughthertoEngland.Inreality,shedivorcedherhorriblehusband
whilst they were stationed in Egypt where divorce was relatively easy. She remained Napoleon’s
mistress for some two months more until he went to Syria and then France. Very simply, Napoleon
eventually lost interest—or was perhaps wary of creating scandal when he became First Consul—and
refusedtoseeherwhenshereturnedtoFrance.HegiftedherahousenearParisandmoney.Shemarried
notlongafter.

Her later history is what interested me most in her. She was a painter, a harp player, wrote two

novels,andmovedtoBraziltosellexoticwoodtoFrancewithanewhusband.Shelivedalong—and
hopefullyhappy—lifefinallyreturningtoParistoliveinanapartmentsurroundedbymonkeys.

Document Outline

Copyright
1. Chapter One
2. Chapter Two
3. Chapter Three
4. Chapter Four
5. Chapter Five
6. Chapter Six
7. Chapter Seven
8. Chapter Eight
9. Chapter Nine
10. Chapter Ten
11. Chapter Eleven
12. Chapter Twelve
13. Chapter Thirteen
14. Chapter Fourteen
15. Chapter Fifteen
16. Chapter Sixteen
17. Chapter Seventeen
18. Chapter Eighteen
19. Chapter Nineteen
20. Chapter Twenty
21. Chapter Twenty-One
22. Chapter Twenty-Two
23. Chapter Twenty-Three
24. Chapter Twenty-Four
Epilogue
Other titles by Samantha Holt
Author’s Note

Wyszukiwarka

Podobne podstrony:
Percy Sledge When a man loves a woman
Michael Bolton When a man loves a woman
When a Man Makes Love to a Woman(1)
How and When to Be Your Own Doctor
Nyambe When Giraffes Attack
when september ends
When I grow up
0409 You're a woman ?d Boys Blue
31 When in Rome listening
When you?lieve
ATT19-samantbhadra-dzogchen-0, Dzogczen
Wilde A Woman of No Importance
He loves you
Carole Mortimer Taggart's Woman [Harlequen Presents50] (rtf)
Cleaning Flame Ionization Detectors When and How
Call me when you're sober - tekst i tłumaczenie, Evanescence - piosenki i tłumaczenia
OiZ (HOLT)
Mansfield The Woman at the Store

więcej podobnych podstron

When A Rogue Loves A Woman Samantha Holt

Document Outline