Love's Harbinger Read Online Free PDF

purchasers and the lease for the office. A three-month lease. That pretty well tells the story—it expires the first of June, so Elwood has flown as well as Lord Thomas.” She glared at him, but did not deign to point out his error. “Come, I’ll take you home.”
    “I am not going home. I am on my way to a rout party.”
    She picked up the lantern.
    He placed the records under one arm, put his other hand on her elbow, and led her out, leaving the door unlocked behind them. “A rout party? I admire your courage, ma’am. Grace under pressure is an admirable trait. Is Lady Lynne waiting in the carriage? She must be planning to break our appointment.”
    “What appointment?” Faith demanded suspiciously.
    “We have planned a tête-à-tête for this evening. I had some hopes you were to be included. I’m running a little late,” he said, and pulled out a pocket watch. “Eight twenty-five.”
    Faith looked at the clock on the wall and corrected him. “It’s only eight-twenty.”
    He didn’t even bother to look at the clock. “It’s wrong. My watch is always right. I lead a split-second life,” he said, and returned the timepiece to his pocket. It had an unusual fob that looked like a twisted piece of some dark metal. “I’ll return you to Lady Lynne.”
    “She isn’t with me. I’m going with a friend—I have to stop at her place.” She looked at him uncertainly, disliking to ask a favor. “Actually, my aunt doesn’t know I’m here. I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell her.”
    “Then you should treat me more civilly, milady. I don’t usually perform favors for people who try to bash me over the head.”
    “I didn’t know who you were.”
    His feline eyes shot a mocking smile at her. “Would it have made a difference?” he asked.
    “Yes, I would have taken more careful aim, Mr. Delamar.”
    They reached her carriage, and he opened the door. “You still wouldn’t have hit me.” He laughed. “Beau Douro trained his guerrillas better than that.”
    Her head flew up in surprise. “What? Were you with Wellington in the Peninsula?” she asked.
    “I’ve been many places, including Spain. Do try, if you can, to close your mouth. It is unflattering that you are so shocked at my being an—a soldier. Besides, open-mouthed ladies look so very witless, don’t you agree?”
    She closed her mouth, only to pull her lower lip between her teeth. Faith had the greatest admiration for military gentlemen, and she knew that those who had been with Wellington in the Peninsular War had been outstandingly fearless. “Not shocked, only surprised,” she said. Embarrassment lent a softer tone to her voice and a becoming air of uncertainty to her manner. “I should have guessed by your complexion . . .”
    “Ah, no, that only told you I am part blackamoor.”
    “What was your position in the army?”
    “I always like to be in the forefront of any endeavor when trouble is brewing,” he answered with studied obtuseness.
    Not an officer then, she surmised, and changed the subject. “How did you know I was there in the office? And how did you know it was me? Even before I lit the lantern, you used my name.”
    “I smelled the burning oil. Lanterns don’t light up by themselves, and when I was close to you, I recognized your perfume—a light lilac scent. Of course many ladies use that fragrance, but you did speak before I was certain it was you.”
    “You seemed to move around so quickly, too, like a cat.”
    “As I said, I am trained in warfare. Even a lady has been known to pull a trigger, so I was a little cautious. I am sorry if I frightened you, Lady Faith. I’ll let you get on to your party now. Your aunt will tell you what plans I have to retrieve—er, the money,” he finished, and was sorry to terminate their conversation on that reminder of Lord Thomas.
    She pokered up immediately. “Good evening, Mr. Delamar.”
    He closed the door and the carriage drew away. Her stop had made her late in