His Secret Heroine Read Online Free PDF

no other way to survive, would she not do what must be done?"
    "Surely it would be less rigorous to become a governess."
    "And if she could not? What if perhaps she had been turned out without a character? If she had to choose between that and other even less savory choices?"
    He stared openly. She held her breath. She'd just doomed herself, to even know of such things, much less speak of them. "I had not thought of that," he answered. "You are an astute young lady, Miss Englefield."
    "There is nothing astute about what every woman knows, sir. A female life can be a precarious one."
    "Many ladies are not aware of the plight of others."
    Her hands gripped the gunwale. She was no sheltered lady, but she dared not let him know that. "More is the pity. But I must wonder how your ladies of the sea managed to keep their secrets. Surely the basic differences would be obvious."
    Lord Reginald's mouth wriggled like a naughty boy with a secret. " A small man can more easily get around in cramped quarters, and many a country woman is as strong as a man."
    She smirked back. "But would not the physical differences be noticed? Could she live among men without — Men are much more open about some things..."
    "There is not a great deal of bathing and changing of clothes at sea, Miss Englefield."
    Chloe's mouth opened, but it could not quite form a word.
    Amusement crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Yes, it would be difficult to conceal. But if you could, would you not like to have such an adventure?"
    Her cheeks flushed. How could he know she had secret longings no civilized woman should have? But she smiled to hide her secret thoughts. "If ever such a glimmer entered my mind, Lord Reginald, I fear you stifled it when you took away the opportunity for bathing and changing one's garments."
    It was Lord Reginald's mouth that hung open this time. He stared at her as if feasting with his eyes on an eternal banquet, and set her heart racing like hounds after the fox. Her eyelids fluttered, and she studied the seams of her tan kid gloves. "But come, you are neglecting your other guests, Lord Reginald. And I should see to my aunt."
    With a shaky smile, she turned away, leaving the chill of the strengthening wind behind. Then abruptly, she pivoted to face him again. "Thank you for the lovely irises."
    Again and again, she caught him staring, blatantly begging a silent question, and she blushed and looked away.
    He was everything she never wanted, a man who scrambled her brain and tangled her heartstrings in hopeless knots. But not even that mattered when it came to saving Madeline and Allison.
    She had to choose. Lord Vilheurs was richer, safer.
    But Lord Reginald was the son of a duke. He had power. And power was what she must have, far more than money.
    Chloe took a long, deep breath. Boldly, she set her gaze to ensnare his. She lifted her fan to touch her lips, obscuring their silent message. But he heard it. And his eyes replied. He would pursue her to the ends of the earth.

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Once back at his rooms, Reggie dashed to his desk and within minutes was lost in his writing. All through the night he continued, barely even noticing the chimes from the mantel clock, and regretting that time passed so rapidly when he had so many words that had not yet made it to paper.
    He jerked back to reality when Puckett dashed in, slamming the door behind him. "Sir, your father. He's coming."
    Reggie jumped up from his desk, jerked off the smock, while Puckett scooped up the scattered pages and shoved them into the hidden panel of the des k. Reggie slipped into his coat and tugged on gloves to cover his ink-stained hands.
    The door opened. Hostility flickered like sparks as the duke entered. Reggie gritted his teeth. No one dared suggest to the duke that he behave like any reasonable man and knock before entering. In any event, the Duke of Marmount had never been a reasonable man and would not consider becoming one now.
    "Going