Taken by the Earl (Regency Unlaced 3) Read Online Free PDF

confirmed he had disposed of you.”
    “And yet she agreed to it anyway.”
    “Yes.”
    “The woman is not also to be a guest here?”
    “I did not have that impression, no.”
    “But it is she who wishes me dead?”
    “Yes.”
    “But you do not know what she looks like or her name?”
    “No.”
    “Or what my transgression against her might have been?” Sin pressed.
    “No.”
    “You obviously spend time in Society. Did you not recognize the voice of either the man or the woman?”
    Mrs. Randall’s gaze once again avoided meeting his. “The man was…aroused and spoke harshly in his demands, and the woman did not speak at all at first.”
    “Only whimpered and groaned.”
    “Yes.” She looked flustered. “And when she did finally speak, her voice was gruff from where she had… No, I did not recognize either of their voices,” she added hastily.
    “So you do not know who these people are? As I have no idea who might wish me dead or why?”
    Her wince was pained. “That would appear to be the case, yes.”
    “That would also appear to make it difficult for us to do anything other than wait for the attack.”
    “Us?” Fliss was taken aback. “I have told you of the danger you are in from this man, as I intended to do. Now it is up to you to deal with the situation. It is my intention to leave on the morrow.”  
    “I do not think so.”
    She looked at him in alarm. “What do you mean?”
    “Surely it is obvious?” the earl said derisively. “You at least have the advantage of having heard the voices of my two would-be assassins. As such, you will need to remain here to see if you recognize either of those voices again amongst the other guests.”  
    Fliss became guarded. “Would it not be simpler if we both just departed?”
    “That would only delay the problem, not eliminate it.”
    “But—”
    “You came to me, Mrs. Randall,” he reminded her. “If indeed there is a threat to my life, I intend to meet that threat head-on. To kill before I am killed, if I must.” His expression was grim and determined. “Do not look so shocked, Mrs. Randall.” He mocked her wide-eyed expression. “Surely you must have heard the tales of the wild Highlander who has arrived in Society’s midst?”
    Fliss knew the young debutantes had all been aflutter before this man’s arrival in London, at the idea of ensnaring the Earl of Winterbourne for their husband. Their mothers had salivated at the thought of having such a wealthy gentleman as their son-in-law. Even if he was an “ill-bred Highlander.”
    Except he was not, Fliss allowed grudgingly. Sinclair Montgomery might originate from the Highlands of Scotland, but he was every bit as toplofty as Thea’s new husband, the Duke of Blackmoor, and every bit as rakishly handsome as Sally’s betrothed, the Marquis of Oxbridge.
    “My mother was English, did you know that?”
    “No…” Fliss eyed him curiously.
    He gave a half smile. “English Society, and her family, turned its back on her when she eloped with her Scottish lover.”
    “I am sorry for that.”
    Sin raised a derisive brow. “Why should you be sorry? You were not even born at the time. Neither was I, for that matter.”
    “Nevertheless, I know how…unforgiving Society can be.”  
    “And what does Society say of you, Mrs. Randall?” he mused. “Does it believe you to be prim and respectable? The demur widow?”
    “My husband was a war hero!” There were two high spots of color in her cheeks.
    “I asked what it said of you, not your husband,” he taunted. “Are you as prim and respectable as they believe?”
    Fliss straightened, well aware she had not behaved in either way with this man. “I am sure that anyone in society would tell you Mrs. Felicity Randall is a levelheaded, sensible lady, and not given to bouts of hysteria or imaginings.”
    “Would they still tell me that if they knew you had followed me here in order to relate some wild tale of a plot to murder me?”
    “I