Rogue's Challenge Read Online Free PDF

probably don't understand most of what I'm talking about,” she said.
    He sighed at her slight and focused on the castle. “You would be surprised what I understand."
    "I've insulted you again, haven't I?"
    "You have a talent for it, aye.” It was growing more difficult with the passing days and his stay at Arreyder to keep his memories, his failings to himself. What with Colin's marriage, there was naught else to occupy his time or his mind.
    "Sorry. I do it to everyone. I think Tuck is the only person that I don't make feel that way when I fall into lecture mode. She has the ability to gleam what she needs to know from my dissertations and without being insulted or bored. At least she isn't visibly bored. Another talent she has, hiding her emotions beneath a stony façade."
    Ian studied her from the corner of his eye. What an odd little bird she was. An extremely intelligent mind existed in this petite woman. A woman who felt things deeply, he sensed it was so. Her talk of Amelia and her many talents gave away her devout loyalty and love for her friend. But she knew little of what people hid behind their false smiles. His own included.
    "I understand, mistress."
    "You do?"
    "Aye, I am oft’ misunderstood, but not for my speech.” Because of his handsome visage, his propensity to charm, and his popularity with women, many saw him as an empty-headed rogue, the role he'd been destined to play since birth. But in truth he had knowledge of many things, and a deep desire to know more, to explore the world around him.
    "Amelia does not hide her feelings, of late, however,” he said, changing the avenue of his thoughts.
    "Oh?"
    "You shall see soon enough."
    "Easier said than done,” she murmured, niggling his conscience just a bit.
    "We have arrived,” Ian said, and climbed down from his horse with her in his arms then placed her on her feet. One of Colin's men took his horse, but not before shooting Jenny an interested look.
    Before Ian could set the lad straight, that this was a lady and not a woman to trifle with, a gangly Amelia toddled out the door and enveloped the woman in a hug. “Jenny! I can't believe you're here,” she said, bursting into tears.
    "Tuck?” Jenny said, putting a little distance between them. She peered at her friend, her large brown eyes taking in as much as they could without her spectacles. “It's so good to see you, all of you—sort of."
    "Oh, your glasses. Oh no. Ian what did you do?” Amelia said, her hands fisted at her hips.
    "I?"
    "Yes you. She needs her glasses. How could you lose them?"
    "I did not! She ran and—"
    "Ran?” Amelia blinked at him, her mouth twisting. “From you? From Prince Charming?” A laugh, quite uncalled for, burst forth.
    "'Twas dark when I arrived,” he snarled, knowing all too well he would be the center of her jest for some time.
    "Wait, did you say dark?” Amelia asked.
    "Aye, dark. As in night."
    "But you couldn't have arrived at night. Even I didn't when I came back.” Amelia sighed and rubbed her forehead. “I don't understand. What exactly happened when you left here? Be specific."
    "Yes, please. Be very specific,” the small woman by her side said, her large brown eyes narrowed, her arms folded over her breasts as she looked at him.
    With a sigh he began. “I arrived on the night you left, Amelia. Mere moments after, ‘twould be my guess.” Both women shook their heads, but he continued, cutting off their disagreement. “'Twould appear that I was completing the trip you began when you returned here last autumn.” He crossed his arms and returned the young maid's direct scrutiny.
    "But that negates the second part of your theory,” Jenny argued. “You started a new loop when you grabbed me, and as I've said before, we wouldn't have landed here at this time."
    He leaned close to her so she would clearly see him, or thereabouts. “And yet here we stand. You are simply too stubborn to accept the fact that your theory is incorrect."
    "And you