The Belligerent Miss Boynton AND The Lurid Lady Lockport (Two Companion Full-Length Regency Novels) Read Online Free PDF

movements, she gathered up her cloak into which she had placed a single change of clothes and then picked up her shoes, tucking them under her arm. On quiet, stockinged feet she tiptoed down the narrow back staircase to the kitchens and let herself out into the mews. She leaned against the closed door for some moments, regaining her breath, for it seemed she had not breathed since leaving her room. Her heart had been pounding so heavily as she crept past Peregrine Denton's door that she was sure her stepfather could hear it, but the worst was almost over.
    She spared a moment to look up at the star-bright sky and say a silent thank you for the full moon before moving off again. One step onto the dew-wet stones reminded Amanda of the shoes still under her arm, and she balanced herself on one foot in the darkness to put on the first shoe. Her skirts were cumbersome and her balance precarious, so she was grateful for the steadying hand under her elbow.
    Hand? Amanda whirled around to face her attacker, for what else could it be? One shoe poised above her head as a weapon, she confronted the devilish grin of Jared Delaney.
    "You took your bloody sweet time, my dear," he said, placing his hand around her wrist, preventing her from striking out at him. "I had about given you up."
    "What are you doing here?" Amanda demanded, her free hand flying to her chest in an attempt to push her heart back down her throat.
    Jared released her wrist as she gave a quick, sharp tug against his grip. " Ssshh. Softly, my little runaway, softly, or you'll have the whole house down on us."
    Amanda cast a frightened look toward the darkened windows and repeated her question in a fierce whisper.
    "Isn't that strange?" Jared drawled calmly as she attempted to control her ragged breathing. "I've noticed that phenomenon more than once, but assumed you above it. Why do people always persist in repeating something when you tell them they were too loud in saying it in the first place? No matter. I'll answer your question—all your questions—forthwith. But first I suggest we remove ourselves from the premises. I have two horses waiting beyond the stables, for I assume you ride. Come, brat, before we're found out. I must tell you, I have a decided aversion to the prospect of viewing friend Peregrine in his nightcap."
    Without looking to see if she was indeed following him, he turned and made for the stables—a hopping Amanda close behind, still trying to put on her shoes.
    In the few short moments it took to reach the horses, Amanda had arrived at the end of her patience. "I repeat, although I am aware it fatigues you past endurance to listen a third time: What are you doing here?"
    Jared made her an elaborate bow. "Since I heard of your plight and your infantile plans, I felt it my duty to an old friend to offer my services to his daughter. I am here, as you have so repetitively not to mention needlessly pointed out, to escort you to Fox Chase and wherever your final destination demands. Now, admit it, Miss Boynton. Am I not gallant?"
    Amanda threw down her bundle in disgust. "If that isn't beyond anything stupid! What right have you to interfere? And don't you dare try to prattle on about my father. You no more care about him than you care about me."
    Jared put his hand to his heart as if in mortal pain—and Amanda fervently hoped he was. "Oh! Unkind! How you malign me in my sincerity."
    She waved her arms in exasperation, looking much like a windmill attempting flight, she supposed. But, if she hit the man, as she longed to do, the dratted fellow would probably just hit her back. "Oh, very well! I have no time to stand here and bandy words with you. I accept your offer of a mount, but only as far as the nearest stable yard where I can hire a chaise, or carriage—or donkey! I really don't care anymore. Now, help me up onto that curst sidesaddle I see on the mare's back."
    Jared shook his head in an expression of abject sorrow. "All my life I have been