The Ragged Heiress Read Online Free PDF Page A

forced herself to appear calm although she was inwardly quaking. ‘Thank you. I’m very grateful to you, sir, but it was a simple mistake. I was out riding and lost my way.’
    He held her hand for a brief moment. ‘Which could have proved extremely dangerous for you, Miss Froy.’
    ‘You know my name,’ Lucetta said, staring at him in astonishment. ‘Have we met before?’
    His serious expression melted into a charming smile. ‘You would not have noticed me, ma’am. I’m the first mate on the
Caroline
.’
    ‘I’m afraid I don’t remember you, Mr …’
    ‘Sam Cutler, miss.’
    Lucetta felt her blush deepening. This was soembarrassing. She must have seen this young man every day during their six-week voyage and yet she had absolutely no recollection of him. ‘I’m sorry, but then it was a big ship, and …’ Her voice tailed off as she realised that the men accompanying Sam Cutler were listening with unconcealed interest and obvious amusement.
    ‘And you were strictly chaperoned by that stern missionary lady with no sense of humour,’ Sam said helpfully. ‘Miss Trim, wasn’t it? I believe she even tried to convert some of these heathen fellows with me.’ He turned to his shipmates. ‘No success there then, mates? They have neither manners nor morals according to that lady. You must forgive my men, Miss Froy; they meant no disrespect to you earlier.’
    The man who had spoken out before had the grace to look slightly abashed. ‘No offence meant, miss.’
    ‘None taken,’ Lucetta said, smiling. ‘It was fortunate for me that you all happened along when you did.’
    ‘I would escort you home, Miss Froy, but we have important business to attend to. Have you far to go?’
    ‘Only to the British consulate, but I’d be grateful if you would put me on the right road.’
    Sam bowed from the waist, signalling to the man who had teased him for his chivalry. ‘Bates, fetch Miss Froy’s horse.’
    ‘Aye, aye, sir.’ Bates ambled over to the mare. She had found a patch of grass in the shade of a pandanus tree and was munching away placidly. He led the animal back to Lucetta and tossed her effortlessly onto the saddle. ‘There you are, ma’am. Best get back homeas fast as you can. There are a couple of dangerous men on the loose.’
    ‘Thank you, Bates. That will do,’ Sam said, frowning.
    Lucetta was quick to hear the warning note in his voice and her curiosity was aroused. ‘Who are these men, Mr Cutler?’
    ‘Two criminals who were transported to Australia for life, but somehow managed to escape from the penal colony and made their way here, goodness knows how, but they did. We have the unenviable task of taking them back to London in irons, but they jumped ship last night.’
    ‘But isn’t that a task for the army or the Navy? Aren’t there any policemen in Bali?’
    ‘Apparently we’re the best they’ve got at the moment,’ Sam said with a wry smile. ‘You’ll be safe enough on the main road, so there’s no need to be afraid.’ He swung himself up into the saddle with the ease of an accomplished horseman and when the animal attempted to unseat him, he brought the spirited creature under control with a firm hand and a few softly spoken words. ‘Follow us, Miss Froy. We’ll put you on the road to Denpasar, if you’re sure you can make it back from there.’
    ‘Thank you,’ Lucetta murmured shyly. ‘I hope you catch your criminals, Mr Cutler.’
    He smiled and his teeth gleamed white and even in his suntanned face. ‘We will, never fear. And may I suggest that you take a groom with you next time?’
    Lucetta knew that she had been foolish, but she didn’t need a ship’s officer to speak to her as if she were anaughty child. The admiration she had felt for him just moments ago was replaced by indignation, quickly followed by humiliation. She was about to put him in his place when he leaned towards her and planted a kiss on her lips. It was over in a flutter of a butterfly’s wing