Smuggler's Lair Read Online Free PDF Page B

an invitation for the lady to visit Bodiam and explore the castle in daylight. It was signed Sir Peregrine Palmer Fuller.
    â€œIt’s a rather curious invitation. The day and month are correct, but the year is off by a hundred. There are other similarities—this is Bodiam Castle and my family name is Palmer.”
    â€œYour name is Peregrine Palmer? Then obviously you must be Sir Peregrine Palmer Fuller’s ancestor!”
    â€œObviously,” he said dryly.
    She ignored his mocking tone. “Your resemblance is uncanny. He, too, is darkly handsome, with a strong face, powerful build and a compelling, dominant manner. Though you seem far more cynical.”
    Her description amused him. “Mea culpa—I am indeed a cynic. Is this Fuller your lover?”
    â€œAbsolutely not!” She felt herself blushing. “I told you his intentions were honorable.”
    â€œThen we are not alike. We’re different as chalk from cheese.”
    Her blush deepened. “Yes, you are far coarser!”
    â€œFlattery, begod!”
    â€œYou are a devil!”
    Hawkhurst grinned knowingly. “And that excites you, Mistress Prim and Proper.”
    Her chin went up in defiance. “I’m not so prim and proper. All summer I’ve swum naked at dawn in the River Rother.”
    His glittering eyes narrowed. “Females don’t swim.”
    â€œPerhaps they didn’t a hundred years ago. That was long before the Prince Regent popularized Brighton and bathing machines—things you wouldn’t know about,” she taunted.
    â€œIf that thing you were wearing when you arrived is an example of how fashions have advanced, I’m thankful I’m a Georgian.”
    â€œYou can mock all you want, Lord Bloody Hawkhurst, but the fact remains that I have come back in time one hundred years.”
    â€œIf that is the game you wish to play, I will partner you.”
    She ignored his innuendo, then her eyes widened. “Oh, I just remembered. I think I have some coins in my bag.”
    â€œI’m quite a connoisseur of coins,” he drawled.
    Tory pulled out three pennies and inspected them. Two were William IV coins, but the third was new, minted for Victoria’s coronation. It bore the queen’s head and it was dated 1837. “There you are . . . proof positive!”
    Falcon took the coin she thrust at him and looked at it with amused skepticism. “It’s copper. Pennies are made of silver.”
    â€œNot in my day and age. Look at the date.”
    He read the date and gave her a quizzical glance. Then he tossed the coin into the air, caught it on the back of his hand, and covered it with his fingers. “Call it. Heads, you can have your way and I’ll believe everything you say.” He winked. “Tails, I’ll have my way.”
    â€œGeorgians were—are obsessed with gambling.”
    â€œAmong other things,” he said with a leer. “Call it.”
    â€œHeads,” she said decisively.
    â€œHeads it is,” he said ruefully, “and here’s me longing for tail.” When she neither laughed nor blushed, he realized the coarse jest was lost on her.
    â€œSpeaking of swimming, Pandora likes to cool herself in the moat at dusk on these warm summer nights.”
    The large feline stretched and got to her feet.
    â€œShe knows it’s that time. Would you like to come?”
    â€œShe’s very beautiful.... I’d like to watch her.” Tory looked down at her underclothes and hesitated. Then the corners of her mouth lifted. “Since this is a lewd and licentious age, why should I let my dishabille stop me from enjoying myself?”
    His brow arched. “Is it exciting for a repressed female to step back in time to an age that is lewd and licentious?”
    She gave him a saucy glance. “Not quite as exciting as it must be for a lewd and licentious male to encounter a chaste female.”
    â€œThat