Lady Sophia's Rescue (Traditional Regency Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

day, the sister was struck by lightning. She died on the spot.” Sophia turned to Dottie and took her hand. “Poor Dottie was right there. And since that day has been unable to utter another word.”
    “How dreadful,” Thompson said, shooting a most sympathetic look at the poor mute. Or the woman he thought was a mute.
    Mr. Birmingham looked exceedingly contrite. “Forgive me for bringing up such a sad recollection,” he said.
    They rode on in silence for a considerable length of time when he asked, “What was the twin’s name?”
    What a peculiar request! Then Sophia remembered her parents’ alleged propensity for alliteration. “Dorcus.”
    A smile curved his lip.
    Once her nerves had settled, she turned her thoughts to the bruisingly handsome man who sat across from her. He definitely was NOT what he seemed. A fine gentleman did not travel about with an arsenal beneath his carriage seat or with a valet who was as adept with a saber as he was with a hot iron. Just who was this Mr. Birmingham, and what was the source of his wealth? Not many men would display such a lack of concern when an expensive carriage had to be replaced.
    Whatever he did, she was sure it was something unlawful.
    Isadore would know. Her insides lurched. Isadore was up to no good.
    * * *
    Given that he often traveled with large amounts of money, William’s unwritten credo was to always be prepared to thwart attacks, even on a harmless trip to Yorkshire to visit his sister. But this latest attack was altogether different. He was not transporting money or gold. He was not protected by loyal Birmingham guards. And he was not the target.
    The single-minded abductors were willing to dismiss one of the wealthiest men in England in order to get their hands on Miss Isadore Door and her eighty thousand pounds worth of bullion.
    Though he and Thompson had faced down far more ferocious assaults than today’s, William had never before fought with such intensity. He had never before wished to protect anything as fiercely as he wished to protect Miss Door.
    If that was her name. He was almost certain it could not be.
    Even though she had brought such peril upon herself, he was seized with a need to protect her. He would never forget the terror that spiked through him when the men said they wanted only the women. It would have been easier to hand over a hundred thousand pounds worth of bullion than to allow those men to accost the lovely Isadore.
    His gaze whisked over her as she sat across from him, staring intently out the carriage window. How could such an elegant creature be involved with gold smugglers?
    The woman was hiding something from him. Was she also shielding her sister from knowledge of her dangerous connections?
    Though last night he had determined not to bring up the bullion until he was alone with Isadore, he wavered now. Could he not discuss it in general terms that her mute sister might not understand?
    He cleared his throat.
    Isadore turned those large, near black, eyes on him.
    “I don’t like that a lady is taking such grave risks with her safety,” he said.
    Their gazes locked, and she did not answer for a moment. “Perhaps the lady has a propensity to act impetuously.”
    His eyes narrowed. “And regret her impetuous actions afterward?”
    She nodded, and he noticed the auburn glints that highlighted her dark hair in daylight.
    In that instant his conviction that she was well borne was confirmed. For reasons unknown to him, she had decided to embroil herself in this unsavory business in order to lay her hands on a great deal of money.
    “I would like to think that once this transaction is closed,” he said, “the lady will take her ‘rewards’ and retire from risky propositions.” Then it occurred to him that he did not wish for her to close this transaction. He did not like to think of her doing anything further that might jeopardize that lovely neck of hers.
    “Then you and I are in perfect agreement, Mr.