The Devil She Knows Read Online Free PDF

Rio Perdido.”
    â€œRio Perdido?” Aunt Viola sank back into her chair. “The final watering hole?”
    â€œYes. It was—” Portia started to interrupt.
    â€œYes, ma’am.” Gareth’s deeper voice drowned out hers. “The Apaches had arrived first, destroyed the ranch, and laid a trap.”
    â€œAnd?” Uncle William’s expression was remote and contained, rather than furious. Portia wanted to box their ears for only paying attention to the professional fighter’s story. Well, professional teamster and courier, which in Arizona was essentially the same thing.
    â€œPortia was about to draw fire down upon us,” Gareth announced.
    Draw down fire? Portia desperately looked for something, anything to throw at him and shatter his appalling calm.
    Did he have to describe her as if she was an idiotic child? How many times had they gone adventuring together over the past four years? How many times had he told her that a man couldn’t ride or shoot any better than she had?
    If doing all that wasn’t good enough to capture his, his damn attention, then it would serve him right if she went back East and became the most beautiful girl in New York. He’d know what he’d missed when he saw dozens of men begging for her attention.
    â€œKnocking her out with the butt of my Colt—” Gareth continued.
    â€œWas the fastest way to silence her.” Her beloved uncle nodded in agreement.
    â€œUncle William!” Portia exploded and swung to face her kin. Couldn’t she trust even him to stand up for her? Good heavens, if she stayed here, she’d probably be lectured on how badly she’d behaved at Rio Perdido.
    Or required to be polite to Gareth, on the many occasions he frequented their house.
    Disgust twisted her belly and her mouth for an instant.
    â€œDoes your head still hurt very badly, dear?” Aunt Viola asked softly.
    â€œJust a small ache,” Portia replied brusquely, more concerned with other matters. “But—”
    â€œI’ll have a room prepared for you here, Lowell,” Uncle William announced, riding over Portia’s voice.
    She flung back her head involuntarily. Horror washed across her face before she could guard her expression again. How long did she have to be near her old playmate?
    True, she had to remain until Aunt Viola was healthy again.
    But after that? He was not someone who visited any place very often. Yet if he saw anyone regularly, it was William and Viola Donovan, who’d always treated him as a son.
    Faugh!
    Aunt Viola speared first Portia then Gareth with a searching glance but said nothing.
    â€œNo need, sir. I have to ride out immediately to Fort Lowell.”
    â€œAt this hour?” protested the lady of the house, her Southern sense of hospitality obviously outraged. “Surely we can give you something to eat.”
    Portia sank into the closest chair, wishing she had a fan to shield herself. For the first time, she recognized the advantages of ladylike clothing as a prop to hide behind, rather than boys’ clothing which left every emotion on display. Such as gagging at the mention of sharing a meal with an arrogant jackass.
    â€œThey promised an escort back to Rio Perdido, if we can leave before dawn.” One of Gareth’s shoulders lifted, then fell. “We’ll probably arrive while at least one of the settlers is still alive.”
    â€œThank you, Gareth.” Aunt Viola limped over to him and kissed his forehead. He patted her back but said nothing more, his countenance offering little hope or gentleness.
    â€œI’ll have the cook pack a decent meal for you,” Uncle William promised.
    Gareth’s eyes met Portia’s. For a moment, something flickered in their depths. It was surely not an apology since he held himself too straight.
    She inclined her head. If nothing else, she was grateful he’d bury those poor charred beasts once