The English Lord's Secret Son Read Online Free PDF Page B

stepped out of a wrecked space shuttle instead
of a beat-up piece of British engineering. Cate’s blonde head snapped up. “Ha,
ha and ha! Apart from being nosey, you’re downright rude.”
    “No different from you,” he returned with the arrogance that
had to be bred into him. “Looks like we’ve rubbed each other up the wrong
way.”
    “You don’t stand a chance of rubbing up against me,” she said
tartly. “So what’s wrong with the car, or don’t you know? I’d say you were used
to leaving all that to the chauffeur. No doubt you’re the centre of someone’s
solar system?”
    “Perfectly true. How did you know?” He got into the car, making
a business of squirming before cranking back the seat as though the car had
previously been driven by a midget. He then switched on the engine, which kicked
over briefly, then gave up the ghost. “The reason for your breakdown—tempestuous
little Aussie that you are—is you’re out of petrol,” he announced as he got
out.
    For a moment Cate was seriously embarrassed. “Nonsense! It was
reading a quarter full. Or near enough. And stop staring at me as though I’m
from another planet.”
    He laughed. “To be perfectly honest I didn’t know
extraterrestrials came ravishingly pretty.”
    Had she blushed? Damn it, she had. “Don’t feel the need to
flatter me.”
    “I thought it was a plain statement of fact. As for my opinion
of your manner? Prickly as a rose bush. Now, the petrol gauge is obviously not
reading true. Where are you going anyway?”
    She backtracked. “How did you know I’m an Australian?” she
asked as though that created a definite barrier.
    “I’d rather not say.” He shut his mouth firmly. It was a very
good mouth, a clean sensual line above his chiselled jaw. The edges were faintly
upturned. She found herself noting all the little details. She really had to
concentrate on something other than his mouth. She felt in her bones he would be
a great kisser. It would be interesting to see what happened if he suddenly
grabbed her.
    “Why would that be?”
    “Maybe I’m frightened you’ll attack me.” His sapphire eyes were
alive with mockery.
    Did her heart turn over? Something in her chest did. Even her
legs were feeling a bit flimsy. Nevertheless she took a step forward. “You find
Australians threatening?”
    Instantly he took a step back, holding up his elegant hands in
a gesture of appeasement. “On the contrary, I like Australians. Within
reason.”
    Cate gave up. He had a very engaging laugh. It made her want to
laugh back. “I was on my way to Radclyffe Hall. You would know it.”
    “Why exactly?” he asked, with an unexpected frown. “Why
Radclyffe Hall?”
    Cate’s turn to frown. “Look, can’t we drop the interrogation? I
just want to look at it.”
    “Then you’ll have to do it from afar,” he said.
    “I never said I wanted to drop in for tea and scones.” She
tilted her chin. God, he was tall! “What’s your name, by the way?”
    “Ashe.”
    “Ash?” She raised a supercilious brow. “Your parents called you
Ash?” she asked, feigning incredulity. “I’ve never met anyone called Ash. I take
it that’s Ashe with an e?”
    “Julian Ashton,” he informed her, looking impossibly,
unbearably superior. “And you are?”
    She considered not telling him. Only she could use his help.
“Catrina Hamilton. My family and friends call me Cate.”
    “Then I shall call you Catrina.”
    “That’s okay. Please do, Ashe . So are you going to help
me out?”
    He shrugged a shoulder. His body was perfectly proportioned,
giving the strong impression of superb physical fitness. “How can I? I’m heading
in the opposite direction,” he retorted carelessly.
    Cate didn’t know what to make of that. “I understood Englishmen
were gentlemen,” she said with sudden dismay. “You must be a rare species.”
    He shook his head, loosening the satiny black wave that had
stuck to his forehead. “Our womenfolk are much