Ruby Read Online Free PDF

and happily drown in them. In fact, he was already going under for the first time, and fighting for air.
    Ruby saw the dazed expression in his eyes. At least, she hoped that’s what it was. She was feeling a bit dazed herself. But this was war. And she was already in the clutches of the enemy. She had to act quickly if she intended to get out of this mess. Hadn’t Mama always said a woman must learn to use her wiles? The first defense, Mama had taught her, was plying the enemy with charm.
    “You have made a terrible mistake, Marshal.” She took in a deep breath, causing her chest to expand even farther against his. Then she fluttered her eyelashes as she had seen Mama do with Papa. “I am an innocent woman.”
    “Innocent?” He lifted his head and stared down at her. With that figure-hugging gown and that lovely display of flesh, this female was about as far from innocent as Lily, the madam at Buck’s saloon. He ignored the rush of heat. “Sorry, ma’am. But there’s no way in hell I can agree with that.”
    In the next instant her eyes grew stormy. And the words that issued from her pursed lips were unlike any he’d heard a lady use before. Ruby swore viciously in a mixture of French and Cajun. At least, Quent thought it must be swearing, by the way her already husky voice fell nearly an octave, and her eyes shot flames that practically singed his hair. When she had exhausted her vocabulary of obscenities, she pushed against him. Mama had always said that if charm and anger didn’t work, the next step was righteous indignation.
    “It would seem that in your quest for an admission of guilt, you are willing to overlook the truth, Marshal. Now, unhand me at once, do you hear? Or I’ll...”
     
    “You’ll what?” His hands tightened and he heard her little gasp of outrage.
    “I’ll...” Threats. That’s what Mama would have used. “I’ll have your job.”
    “You’d better bring an army, ma’am.”
    His smug arrogance only inflamed her all the more. “I will not need an army. All I need is my family behind me.”
    In a way, they were an army, he had to admit. Her three very independent sisters and their husbands could probably sway half the town to side with them in any dispute. Not just because they were admired, but simply because so many of the townspeople owed their existence to the Jewel ranch.
    “That’s fine, Miss Ruby. You bring your family. And anyone else you’d like. Bring rifles. Bring knives. Bring a posse if you can summon one. But right now you’re not leaving here until you admit the truth.”
    She lifted her chin in an infuriating fashion. She had always been able to bluff her way out of trouble. This time would be no exception. “Here is your truth, Marshal. If you wish to retrieve those pretty pink, purple and green beads, you will have to look elsewhere.”
    She shot him a look of triumph. And was surprised to see his eyes narrow and his lips curve into a dangerous smile.
    “Thank you, ma’am. You’ve been a big help.”
    “I...have?”
    “Yep. You see, I never mentioned the color of those beads.”
     
    A flush stole over her cheeks. “But you did. I distinctly remember.”
    “No, ma’am. I deliberately omitted that part. Which only proves that you did indeed see the peddler’s beads.”
    She detested the thought of retreat. Still... “I may have seen them. Half the town probably saw them. But that doesn’t prove that I took them.”
    “No, ma’am. It surely doesn’t.”
    She blinked. This was too easy. “It doesn’t?” As the meaning of his words sank in, her tone lightened. “Of course it doesn’t. You see? You were mistaken, Marshal. But I will not demand vindication. This thing will be forgotten between us.”
    She relaxed. And let out a sigh of relief. Mama had been right. Men were so easy. Thank heavens she had not had to resort to tears. Though she had fully intended to, if need be.
    She took a step back, expecting to be released. Instead, the marshal