If He's Dangerous Read Online Free PDF Page A

that strange urge. “More or less.”
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    â€œSir, do you recall visiting me in the garden?” asked the female leaning over him, her clean womanly scent filling his nose.
    â€œLady Lorelei Sundun. My family?”
    â€œThey have not yet replied to my letters. I felt it was necessary to act now and wait no longer for their aid.” Even in the shadow-streaked light from the lantern she could see that he had been badly beaten. “Do you think you can move at all? We brought some clothing and have some horses waiting.”
    â€œI can move enough for that.” Argus began to sit up and quickly placed a hand against the damp stone wall to steady himself as pain, hunger, and exhaustion threatened to send him into unconsciousness. “May need some help.”
    â€œYou shall have it.”
    Argus fought to clear the fog from his mind when the youth called Cyrus set down his lantern, retrieved some clothing from a sack, and began to dress him in a fine linen shirt. Lady Lorelei gingerly knelt on the bed and worked to unlock the chain on his ankle. Despite his pain, Argus’s curiosity was roused when he realized she was attempting to pick the lock, and had probably done so on the door to his prison. Another soft aha sounded as the shackle fell from his ankle. One step closer to freedom , he thought, and experienced a brief surge of strength and determination that cut through his pain.
    â€œTurn your back, Lolly,” said Cyrus. “Need to finish dressing him.”
    Lorelei turned her back, ignoring the sharp pinch of disappointment that rippled through her over not being allowed to see exactly what Sir Argus hid beneath the filthy blanket he held over his lap. She set her mind to deciding the best, and quickest, way to get the man out of the house. He was so badly beaten that she doubted he would be able to even stumble along without aid. Once they reached the horses the burden of moving him would ease, but, until then, she and Cyrus would have to give the man a great deal of support even as they tried to move along as quickly as possible.
    â€œReady,” said Cyrus.
    Cyrus stood with one of Sir Argus’s arms wrapped around his shoulder and his own arm wrapped around the bigger man’s waist. Years of working in the fields at harvest time had made Cyrus a strong young man, but Lorelei was not sure that her cousin was strong enough to hold Sir Argus upright all the way back to the horses. Part of that journey would be uphill. She said nothing, however, for she was accustomed to how easily a young man’s pride could be stung. She simply picked up the lantern, ready to lead the way out of the dank prison.
    â€œYour shawl,” said Sir Argus, his voice weak and hoarse. “Under the mattress.”
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    Calling the hay-stuffed rag a mattress was doing it too great a compliment, Lorelei mused as she reached under it. She tied her shawl around her shoulders, picked up the lantern again, and led the way up the stairs, careful to make sure her cousin and Sir Argus had enough light to see their way up. She ignored the grunts and soft curses she heard behind her. By the time they reached the foot of the slope, both Cyrus and Sir Argus were panting heavily. Lorelei was just about to offer some help when Peter came running down the slope.
    â€œBy damn, there really was a prisoner in the house,” said Peter as he slung Sir Argus’s other arm around his shoulders.
    â€œIf neither of you ever believed what I told you, just why have you helped me search for him?” she demanded as she held up the lamp to light their path as the three of them staggered ever so slowly up the hill.
    â€œNot much else to do. A shame the man you have rescued is not a bit smaller.”
    â€œI believe I am lighter by a stone or more than I was a fortnight ago,” said Sir Argus.
    There was a faint tremor in his voice that told Lorelei the man was very close to collapse despite his