Patrica Rice Read Online Free PDF Page A

attire in public. Alone here, she unfastened the jacket and threw it over her saddle. A breeze whispered through the linen of her shirt and ruffled the jabot, and she smiled in delight at this small freedom. It was good to be herself again.
    The horse whickered, and Daphne hesitated, looking cautiously around. She could see the tree trunks sloping downhill. There did not seem to be any dangerous precipice. All was quiet around her except for the crunch of her feet in the dried leaves. That was when she realized it was too quiet.
    In the field she had crossed, birds had been singing. It was spring, after all, and the trees should be full of bird song. Perhaps her presence had intruded, but it had been quiet even before she entered the grove. She stood still, waiting to hear the sounds of scampering feet or rushing wings that she remembered hearing when she stood quietly in the woods of her home.
    Nothing. Not a sound. A ripple of fear coursed down her spine, but Daphne proceeded onward, more determined than ever not to be frightened. It was broad daylight. There was nothing to fear of the day.
    A moment later, she had the distinct impression of being watched. The hair on the back of her neck prickled, and she frowned in concentration, trying to find the source of the sensation. No movement caught her eye, yet the feeling was all around her.
    Annoyed at herself, refusing to admit her fears were becoming irrational, Daphne looked up, trying to scan the density of the branches overhead. A patch of blue appeared where she didn’t think there ought to be sky, and her heart lurched nervous.
    Determined to conquer her fears, she announced firmly, “Whoever is there, come down at once. I do not like being spied upon. It is impolite and cowardly.”
    A chuckle and a rustle followed her words, and before she could jump back, a tall, lithe form dropped from the branches to land at her feet. The scent of bay rum was stronger this morning, and she scowled.
    “You! I should have known. I carry no jewels or money today. What is your purpose in frightening me this time?”
    Pulling his hat farther down over his face, and relying on the obscurity of the dense shade, the intruder caught her elbow and began to turn her back the way she had come. “I don’t think anyone or anything is capable of frightening you, Miss Templeton. I think it is all a hum. Where is your groom if you fear walking on uncertain ground? You shouldn’t be wandering about alone.”
    Daphne shook her arm free and halted their progress. “Do you tell all the ladies to stay at home where they belong? Fie on you, sir. And how do you know my name?”
    She could see his broad shoulders in the fitted blue coat lift in a shrug, but she could not see his face. “This is a small village, Miss Templeton. Everyone knows everything. And any young lady of good breeding should be accompanied. There are brigands living along this river whom you wouldn’t like to meet.”
    “Obviously,” she replied, her voice tinged with irony. She feared to look too closely at his features, and the broad-brimmed slouch hat he wore pulled low hid him well.
    “I have answered your questions, Miss Pert. Now tell me what you are doing here and how you recognize me. It is not at all healthy for either of us for you to know who I am.”
    Daphne gave a supercilious sniff. “I am merely exploring my aunt’s property. And I cannot think that many thieves wear bay rum. It is hard come by outside of London and not generally worn by any but gentlemen familiar with the clubs of London.”
    His tone was one of wry mockery at himself. “I see that I shall have to grow a beard and cease bathing to better blend in with my surroundings. You are too sharp by far, Miss Templeton. I would advise you not to let anyone know that you can recognize me. It would cause both of us some difficulty.”
    “I can imagine it would cause you a few sleepless nights,’’ she agreed with alacrity. “But I do not think