The Accidental Mistress Read Online Free PDF

wildly beneath her skin. "Will you?"
    He pinned her with a smoldering look, leaning over her so that she could feel his size and sheer male power. "I could, but luckily for you, I would never force myself upon a woman."
    Lily didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed. "Then I have nothing of which to be afraid."
    Stepping back, he resumed his seat. "You might at least have a care for your reputation, since it is obvious you come from good family."
    "I do care, which is why I haven't told you my name."
    A faint twinkle gleamed in his amber eyes. "You mean your name isn't really Jack?"
    She laughed.
    "So you won't divulge the truth?"
    Tipping her head to one side, she pretended to consider his offer. "Alas, I don't believe I shall."
    "I didn't realize before that you possess a cruel streak. At least tell me your first name."
    Another laugh bubbled past her lips as she shook her head.
    He crossed his arms over his chest. "So who is Jack? Your father or your brother?"
    "Neither, since I don't have a brother and that wasn't my father's name. Actually, Jack was my dog when I was eight. And now, if I am not mistaken, I must say my farewells or I will miss my coach. Thank you for the meal and the company, even if you were wicked to lead me on the way you did."
    "I believe that makes two of us," he remarked. "As for the coach, I fear you have missed it."
    "What!"
    Leaping to her feet, she raced to the window and peered down into the inn yard below, finding it bustling with hostlers and horses, carriages and patrons. Scanning the fray, she easily located the mail coach with its distinctive maroon and black panels.
    She sighed in relief that the coach had not left without her after all. "But you are wrong. The coach is still here."
    Strolling up behind her, Vessey stretched out an arm, planting a hand onto the window near her head. "Strange, but I don't see a coach to Bristol, though perhaps that is because there
is
no coach to Bristol, at least not one due for several hours yet. Before I came upstairs to dine, I asked my man to check on the matter. He informed me there have been two mail coaches here since your arrival. One headed to Exeter and another to London."
    Too late she realized her careless mistake.
    "So which is it?" he murmured near her ear. "Exeter or London? Methinks London the more likely choice."
    Shivering, she closed her eyes for a moment.
    "Very well," she admitted. "You are correct."
    "Since London is my destination as well, I will give you a ride."
    She whirled, stopping short as she found herself standing practically inside his arms, his body so near she could smell a delicious hint of cloves and musk on his skin and feel the warmth that radiated like a small furnace from his large, male body.
    Tipping back her head, she met his gaze. "I cannot ride in your coach."
    He bent closer. "And I cannot allow you to journey unaccompanied to London. We have already discussed how dangerous it would be."
    It will be dangerous with you,
she thought.
But not for the same reasons.
    "I will be fine in the mail coach. No one will suspect."
    "You did not think
I
would suspect. Now, I really must insist," he stated in a low rumble that trailed like silken fingers over her spine. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something untoward were to occur to you."
    "But we shall not see each other again. You would never know."
    Something darkened in his eyes. "A circumstance that would trouble me greatly."
    And in that moment, both of them knew he was not merely talking about her safety.
    Her heart beat like a bird in her throat. She knew she should refuse, find the strength to slip away and return to traveling on her own. But she sensed he would not let her escape quite so easily, that he might even follow her onto the mail coach and make sure she had an escort, whether she wished one or not.
    Besides, it might be fun traveling with him. Given the elegant cut and quality of his garments and the fact that he was a marquis, she