Never Kiss a Laird Read Online Free PDF Page A

appeared to lounge at his ease.
    “So tell me how you come to be
here, all alone and unprotected, at such an ungodly hour of the morning.”   He steepled his
fingers, placing the tips under his chin, crossed his ankles, and regarded her
as if fascinated.  
    “If you must know, Beau strained a
tendon or something last night on the way home from visiting with Patience.   Miles was to walk him back to the Manor and
send Tom in the gig to pick me up.   I
very much am afraid that Beau must have been more badly hurt than I thought,
because they did not come for me.   I am
sure that someone will be by directly to collect me, though, so there is no
need for any rescuing, and you can go about your business, sir.”
    “For my part,” Simon ignored her
last suggestion, “I left the Cartherson’s rout party
early and went over to Giles’s for a few hands of piquet.   The only person I went to the rout most
especially to dance with was not there, you see.”   He turned a soulful blue gaze upon Sally.
    “More likely, you left when you
realized that the Cartherson’s did not put out card
tables,” Sally replied cynically.
    A wicked smile lit Simon’s blue
eyes.   “How well you know me, Sally.   You could always see through me, even when we
were children.   Why won’t you smile on my
suit, m’dear ?”   He surveyed her closely, from her shining red-gold curls, her enchanting
face, down to the pale blue evening frock she wore over a slim but shapely
figure.   He rose to his feet, and crossed
the short distance between them quickly.   He put a hand under her chin, tipping her face up so their eyes met.   Her eyes sparkled angrily and she tried
unavailingly to turn her face away.
    “Pretty Sally,
always so cold and aloof!”   He
dropped his hand and smiled.   “And such a temper.   But
fate has favored me, and I shall be your knight errant.”
    He turned and presented an arm to
her, and Sally could smell the faint aroma of brandy on his breath. She was not
alarmed, but Simon Atherly was unpredictable when he had been drinking.
    “I think not, sir.’   Sally informed him.   “Tom will be here with the gig at any
moment.”
    “I would be honored if you would
allow me to take you home, Sally,” Simon bowed gracefully and held out one
hand, stepping in her direction.   “I’m in
my carriage, so you needn’t fear the elements.”
    The snow seemed like the least of
her problems, Sally thought to herself, as she noted the implacable look in
Simon’s blue eyes.  
    “Tom will be here directly, Mr.
Atherly.   If you will excuse me, I think
I will just ask Barrow to bring me some coffee while I wait.”   She moved towards the door, but Simon stepped
adroitly between her and the exit.
    “You’re out of luck there, Sally.   Barrow is obliging me by loading some brandy
into my carriage.   We have a little
arrangement, but I know you won’t betray me.”   He gave her a conspiratorial smile, and leaned forward to take her hand
and place it on his arm.
    Sally considered her
situation.   Something must be seriously
amiss for her family not to have come looking for her.   Her options seemed to include further waiting
while she sent a groom with a message to Denham Park,
or allowing Simon to drive her home.   Not
really liking either option very well, Sally shrugged.
    “Very well.   I thank you, Mr. Atherly.   I would appreciate it if you would convey me
home.”
    “There’s a smart girl,’ he intoned
smugly.   “Barrow should be done loading
my brandy by now.”   He picked up his
great coat and flung it negligently over his shoulders.   Holding out her cloak to her, he enquired,
“En avant ?”
    Sally allowed him to place her
cloak around her shoulders, and, retrieving her gloves from a table, she
preceded him from the room and down the hallway to the front door.   Simon pushed the door open, and Sally stepped
out into the cold air.   Her breath
immediately formed little puffs around