The Runaway Countess Read Online Free PDF

don’t you think, Miss Mazie? This whole idea of laws and commandments is just passé.” Trent bowed in mock gratitude, his face flushed with anger.
    Mazie did not dare react to the condescending gesture, did not dare press further.
    “And the Midnight Rider of the local highway?” he demanded. “He seeks to avenge these supposed inequalities you speak of?”
    Why had she said so much?
    “Who is he? Your lover?”
    Roane was far from her lover, but Trent did not need to know that. Better he assume her relationship to the highwayman was common, uninteresting.
    Trent watched her almost like he wanted her to be innocent. Mazie fought the urge to fill the space with words, as he obviously hoped she would. Best to give out the information in small doses.
    When she offered no further information, he lifted his shoulders as if the nature of her relationship to Roane was of no consequence to him. “Tell me the Christian name of our forested foe.”
    “I don’t know the answer to that question,” she evaded.
    “Very well, let’s start with something easier. How did you meet him? And do not even try to deny you know the man. You were caught with his stolen goods.” Trent’s expression was firm, red with anger.
    Mazie decided she’d best reply. “I met him here, in Radford at a Saturday fair.”
    “He lives in Radford?”
    “For a time, yes,” she hedged.
    “Was he born here?”
    “No.”
    Trent remained silent, waiting for her to explain.
    “Loxley. He was born in Loxley.” She should not have said the words, but they came out before she could stop them. She should have told him something else, should have given him a false clue. Curse her sharp tongue.
    “Loxley,” Trent’s brow lowered like a thundercloud. “As in Robin Hood of Loxley? Do you take me for some fool?”
    He watched her silently for a long stretch of time. When he finally spoke, his words were measured, but anger made his voice thick. “It is an uncommon privilege you have been granted to stay here at Giltbrook Hall. I have put myself in a tenuous position, claiming you will be of use to us. Harrington, on the other hand, wants to make an example of you, treat you harshly in front of the local gentry.”
    Mazie lifted her chin, not wanting to let him intimidate her. But blast, he was doing a superb job of it. She did not even want to consider what they would do to make an example of her.
    “Tell me something of use,” he grated out. “Give me the Midnight Rider’s location, and I will help you. I will protect you.”
    Mazie scoffed. “Out of the frying pan and into the fire?”
    Three quick steps and his hands grasped her upper arms. “Where is the highwayman? How do you contact him?”
    Her pulse leapt, electrified by his touch. She felt, actually felt , the power in his broad shoulders blocking her from the room. Her body reacted of its own accord and her gaze fell to his lips. Full, soft lips that did not belong on such a hard man.
    He let go of her and stepped back, but not before she saw the heavy-lidded desire in his eyes. He wanted her. He had wanted her all night, throughout this exhausting cat and mouse game of a conversation. And the worst part was she responded in kind. Though he would just as soon see her hanged, attraction hummed low in her belly.
    “Will you not answer me?” He scrubbed his hands through his hair. “Do you have no concern for the danger you are in? Do you know what will happen to you in gaol?”
    With a flash of bravado, Mazie let out an impatient cry. “And whose fault is it that the county gaol is dangerous and corrupt?”
    “For God’s sake.” Trent slammed his fist against the wall and Mazie jumped. A rush of fear poured through her, freezing her heart before it stuttered to life again.
    A thunderous quiet filled the room.
    Trent walked to the desk, poured himself some wine and gulped it down. “You will not get out of this, Mazie. You leave me no choice but to let Harrington have you, and I