Lady Iona's Rebellion Read Online Free PDF Page B

to trouble—the kind that generally ended up with him staring down the barrel of a revolver.
    “I wish to—” She paused and blinked heavily, turning her gaze skyward. Her lips twitched and she looked ready to burst out into a puddle of tears. She drew a loud, steady breath. “You have lived your life, Lord Nathan.”
    “Some would say I’ve lived it too heartily.”
    “Indeed,” she muttered.
    “What is it that you wish, Lady Iona? Have you come in search of that kiss I failed to steal from your lovely lips two days ago?”
    A pretty blush colored her cheeks. “No,” she said without hesitation. “No, I wouldn’t dream—I mean, I apologize for insulting you. I wish to make amends. In fact, I want to renew our friendship.” She let out a huff. “Two years ago, we successfully conspired to help our friends find love. Lord Nathan, I come to you now with a similar task.”
    “You wish to play matchmaker again?” He laughed at the thought. It came out sounding bitter. Two years ago he’d helped his friend, the crusty Viscount Evers, find his heart and nearly lost his own in the process. “I am sorry, my lady. I cannot help you.”
    “You misunderstand me,” she said and grabbed his arm before he could skirt around her. “I want you to help me recapture that feeling of excitement when we were plotting and scheming.” She sighed and added breathlessly, “And truly living each day. In short, I want you to teach me how to be more like you.”
    He stared at the delicate hand curling around his arm. He tried to convince himself that the warmth he felt, radiating out from where she was touching him, was because the day was warm and nothing else. “You don’t understand what you are asking.”
    She licked her glossy lips. Her pale blue gaze pierced his heart. “I think I do.”
    “I couldn’t.” He peeled her fingers from his forearm, caressing each one in turn before releasing her hand. With large strides, he took several steps down the narrow passage and away from her.
    “I suppose then I will simply have to ask either Mr. Harlow or Lord Grainger to teach me their roguish ways.”
    Nathan froze in his step. “You wouldn’t.”
    “I will if I must,” she said. Her voice had hardened with resolve.
    He was acquainted with both men though he’d not call either friend.
    Harlow was a fop, a young one with absolutely no sense at all. He’d muddle things, leading the reserved Iona into a situation that would surely ruin her reputation.
    Talbot, on the other hand, was older and more careful. Iona might escape an encounter with the rogue with her reputation unscathed, for he’d be discreet. But Nathan wouldn’t trust Talbot alone with an innocent like her. He’d seduce away her innocence and leave her heartbroken. Much like himself, Talbot was a wolf, naught but a wild animal that should never be trusted with the sheep.
    Nathan grabbed Iona’s arms. “No,” he said. “You won’t pursue this crazed idea with any gentleman. I will pay a visit to your father if forced.”
    Fire flashed in her cool gaze.
    “You don’t understand,” she whispered. “You don’t know what it feels like to temper every action, to be the obedient one.”
    She might as well have slashed him with a sword. She represented everything he wished to become. She was the daylight to his perpetual nightmare. Ladies like her were to be protected, shielded from the darker side of life.
    But if she wanted to spend time with him, even for such a nefarious purpose, perhaps he could use her folly to his benefit.
    “Very well,” he managed to dredge out from behind his clenched teeth. “However I will choose how the lessons go—”
    “What is this?” Talbot’s voice boomed just before a large hand grabbed Nathan’s shoulder and turned him around. “When you failed to reach the labyrinth’s end I grew concerned, Lady Iona. That concern, I see, was not unfounded.” Talbot curled his right hand into a fist and drew it back.