For Love and Honor Read Online Free PDF Page A

to bring Miss Nelson with him, except she had been right—he did need another person to help.
    But also, he liked her. It felt good to have her with him. She didn’t complain and was game for anything. He also didn’t mind her body this close to his.
    Perhaps he shouldn’t have kissed her. It had not been a good kiss at all, and yet he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Her honest innocence was refreshing.
    Yes, he was still angry she had run away. That had been dangerous, foolish . . . and also showed her courage. He was not accustomed to thinking of women as having courage, but Miss Nelson was proving him wrong on several points.
    And if he kept thinking about her, he’d see them both killed.
    Destroying the ammunition in the French supply train was necessary. In truth, he might not survive this encounter, but he was a soldier first and foremost.
    The French finally set up camp on a small plain. When William noticed that the dust and sounds of wagons and horses were growing closer, he reined in Valiant and moved well away from where the enemy would set up sentries. Tying his horse up, he and Miss Nelson enjoyed a quick meal of bread and cheese from the innkeeper.
    He then set out to spy upon the French. Miss Nelson wanted to join him, but he made her stay behind.
    Coming to a bluff, he crawled on his belly until he could look upon the French camp without being seen.
    A second later, he heard a noise—a moment before Miss Nelson crawled on her belly beside him. “What shall we do?” she whispered.
    “Don’t you do anything I order you to do?” he demanded.
    A dimple flashed at him in her smile. “What fun would that be?”
    And in that moment, William tumbled in love.
    It was a very odd thing. He’d never felt it before. His mother had always told him that when he met the girl he was meant to meet, he would know. Her prophecy had sounded like nonsense to him. He’d desired many women, but had not had that moment when he said, this is the one —until now.
    “I want you to be safe,” he said.
    She nodded, her gaze shifting from him to the French encampment, which she studied like a seasoned mercenary. “I will be.”
    “I don’t know that. You haven’t listened to one order I’ve given.”
    Again she looked at him, and he thought she was adorable. The Spanish sun brought out her freckles, which seemed exactly right on her face. Perfect even.
    He must be mad, because here they were in grave danger and he wanted to kiss her.
    William blocked the idea from his mind. He should be wanting to strangle her.
    He’d see them both killed if he didn’t stop mooning over her.
    Beyond her head, he saw movement.
    The top of a helmet showed itself from the other side of the bluff, and William knew they were seconds away from being discovered by the approaching soldier.

 
    Chapter Five
    P IPPA NOTICED IMMEDIATELY when Captain Duroy’s attention veered from her. She turned and saw the Frenchman coming over the bluff.
    In seconds, the sentry would see them. All would be lost.
    And then Pippa knew what she would do. Captain Duroy wanted a diversion. Well, she would create one.
    Before he could stop her, she rose to her feet and began walking toward the sentry. She pulled the scarf from her hair. Her copper curls sprung free in joyous abandon.
    Of course the guard saw her and immediately crouched, his bayonet ready to run her through. Pippa stopped and thrust out her chest. Now was the time to show that she did have breasts.
    “I am the daughter of Sir Hew Nelson, the British envoy to Spain. I insist on being taken to your commander.”
    The Frenchman frowned. She’d deliberately spoken in English. Let them find out later she was fluent in their language. She also expected the sight of a woman in male attire would protect Captain Duroy. She was right. The guard had no eyes for anyone but her.
    “ Allez ,” he ordered, waving her in front of him with his bayonet.
    She held up her hands to show she had no tricks and