Red Roses Mean Love Read Online Free PDF

lush pink lips. Incredible and eminently kissable. Had he ever kissed those lips? No, he decided. He couldn't recall ever tasting them, and he knew he'd never forget the feel of such a remarkable mouth. But then why did she seem so familiar?
    Before he had a chance to ponder further, another wave of dizziness struck him, setting up a devilish pounding in his head. An involuntary groan escaped him.
    The sound, though barely audible, apparently penetrated the woman's sleep. Her eyes opened slowly, her long lashes fluttering. Stephen watched her sleepy gaze settle on him. For several seconds they stared at each other. Blue. Her eyes are blue. Like aquamarines.
    The woman's eyes popped wide open. She gasped, bolted to her feet and approached the bed.
    "You're awake!" Perching one hip on the edge of the mattress, she reached out and touched his forehead. "The fever has broken. Thank God." She smiled at him.
    Stephen watched her, trying to gather his wits. Her touch was gentle and comforting. And familiar. Who was she?
    And where on earth was he?
    "Would you like some water?" she asked in a soft, husky voice that reminded Stephen of fine brandy—smooth, soothing, and warm.
    His lips were parched, and his throat felt as though Napoleon's entire army had stomped through his mouth with their stockings on. He managed a tiny affirmative nod.
    She reached for a pitcher on the bedside table and poured water into a goblet. Lifting his head with one arm, she held the glass to his lips and helped him drink. The cool water slid down his throat, soothing the harsh dryness. When the glass was empty, she gently laid him back down.
    "Who … ?" He croaked the word in a hoarse rasp.
    "My name is Hayley. Hayley Albright." A gentle smile graced her full lips. "Can you tell me your name? It would be so nice to refer to you as something other than 'the sick man.'"
    "Ste-Stephen." The word was barely audible, but she apparently heard him.
    "Stephen?" He gave a tiny nod and her smile deepened. "Well, Stephen, welcome back to the land of the living. We've been very worried about you. How do you feel?"
    He wanted to reply he'd had better days, but a fierce pain suddenly shot up his arm and he winced. The wince set up a drumming in his temples. He closed his eyes and groaned.
    "Don't try to move or speak, Stephen," she urged quietly. "Just lie still. You've been very ill for a week now."
    "
Ill
?" Stephen repeated, forcing his eyes back open. Well, that made sense. God knows he felt miserable enough.
    "Yes. We discovered you lying in a stream in the woods about an hour outside London . You'd been shot in the arm and suffered a severe head wound, not to mention bruised ribs and an endless assortment of cuts, scrapes, and bruises. We managed to get you back to our home, and we've been caring for you ever since." Her eyes scanned his face, her expression reflecting anxious concern. "Do you remember anything?"
    Stephen listened to her, his mind drifting back, trying to assimilate her words. At first he had no idea what she was talking about, but suddenly he remembered. Darkness. Danger. Someone following him. A shot fired. Scorching, white-hot pain burning in his arm. Racing on Pericles through the woods. A second shot. Falling.
    Bits and pieces fell rapidly into place. Someone had tried to kill him. Again. This was the second attempt on his life in a month. But who would want him dead? And why? His stomach clenched. Whoever his enemy was, they would no doubt try again once they discovered their failure to kill him. He had to find out where he was.
    "Where … am … ?" Damn, his throat felt like it had been scraped with a rusty razor.
    "In my home, Albright Cottage, just outside the
village
of
Halstead
, in Kent . About three hours southeast of London ."
    Good. Hopefully he'd be safe in a small village so far from Town. He opened his mouth to speak, but instead found himself staring at her, struck by her expression. She had the kindest eyes he'd ever seen.