A Match of Wits Read Online Free PDF

breeze,” Zayne said. “I’m fairly sure you’ll blow away, given the size of that hat.”
    “Highly doubtful,” Agatha argued. “Besides, the sun is much too hot out here. I need to protect my skin.”
    “Why the veil though?”
    “I thought it lent a rather dramatic touch, and it’ll keep the bugs away.” She stepped closer. “So, shall we get on our way?”
    Zayne ignored the question. “What are you wearing?”
    “May I remind you that you’re concerned about the time, but if you really want to discuss fashion, fine.” She gestured to her clothing. “Today I’m wearing a practical pair of trousers paired with a lovely billowing shirt. To add an extra dash of flair, I’ve thrown chaps over my trousers and included a vest so that I’ll fit in with my western surroundings. And before you begin arguing with me, I’ve seen numerous women wearing trousers out here, so my attire is completely appropriate.”
    Zayne swallowed the protest he’d been about to make, knowing Agatha spoke nothing less than the truth. While women were in short supply throughout the West, the few who roamed around did dress in trousers more often than not, especially those who worked beside their husbands panning for gold. And it wasn’t as if he’d never seen Agatha in trousers, but he’d forgotten how incredibly attractive she was, and chances were he’d get little work done today since she was certainly going to be a distraction.
    Even though he’d sworn off women for good, he was still a man, after all, and men did tend to notice beautiful women. “It’ll be hot in the mine, so maybe you’d be more comfortable in a dress,” he settled on saying.
    “And isn’t it just so unfortunate that I won’t have time to change since the day is quickly getting away from us?” Agatha hopped up on the seat next to him and glanced around. “Where’s Matilda? I thought she was right behind me.”
    “Don’t think for a minute we’re going to take your pig.”
    “She gets lonely when I’m not around,” Agatha replied before she smiled. “Ah, here she comes now.”
    Zayne swiveled around and found a lady marching toward them, holding a picnic basket in one hand and a leash with Matilda attached to it in the other. Just like Agatha, she was dressed in trousers and a plain shirt, but her trousers appearedto be freshly ironed, whereas Agatha’s were a little wrinkled. The woman was wearing a small hat that afforded her a bit of shade, but her hat wasn’t outlandish in the least. A trace of amusement flowed over him when he noticed that every brown hair under that hat seemed to be perfectly in place, and she was holding herself as if she’d grown up with a book attached to her head.
    “Mrs. Swanson,” Agatha exclaimed, “it’s wonderful to see you up and about and obviously feeling better, but there’s really no need for you to join me today.”
    Mrs. Swanson deposited the basket in the back of the wagon, handed the leash to Mr. Blackheart, who looked taken aback, and then lifted her chin. “Of course I’m going to join you today, Miss Watson. That’s what we paid companions do, not rest in our rooms while our employers go off into the mountains unescorted.” She turned to Zayne. “If you don’t remember me, Mr. Beckett, I’m Mrs. Swanson, Drusilla Swanson, and I’m great friends with your sister, Arabella Wilder.”
    Zayne peered at the lady, thought she looked somewhat familiar, but before he could even acknowledge her, Mr. Blackheart stepped forward.
    “I was telling Mr. Beckett that I think taking Agatha with him to this mine is a bad idea.”
    Mrs. Swanson pursed her lips. “I couldn’t agree with you more, Mr. Blackheart, but at least Miss Watson will have the two of us to watch out for her, and the poor dear has been fretting lately over a new story idea. Perhaps this will give her some inspiration.”
    “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Mr. Blackheart mumbled before he turned his attention back to