When a Rake Falls Read Online Free PDF Page A

satisfactory choice as far as I’m concerned. Or you can pick choice number two. I can let you go now, and we can complete the experiments that are so important to humanity. Of course, your release is dependent upon the condition you promise to cross over to France. The choice is yours. Remain in my warm, friendly arms, or save humanity. Well?”

Three
    Like every person of science who depended upon logic to make their decisions, Eve Mountfloy considered the variables and weighed the possible consequences. The results fell into two groups: choice number one or number choice two.
    Choice number one, she could remain a hostage in his arms. As the gas eventually escaped the silk balloon, they would slowly descend. But how long would that take? After another peek at his face, she noticed his lips sported a soft yet seductive smile. She inhaled deeply.
    The problem with the hostage choice was that the madman holding her was the most attractive young gentleman she had ever seen, much less spoken to. While she was a gentleman’s daughter, he was a titled aristocrat—a lord no less. Indeed, if she had to classify him, it would be as a much-admired male specimen sometimes called a “Tulip of the Goes.” So if she wanted to spend time in the agreeable embrace of a cream of the fashionables, this was her chance. Because in reality, Tulips rarely noticed plain, bookish women like herself.
    She stole another peek. This time his raised brow created an expectant expression. Due to their current altitude, his cheeks and nose were flushed, but that hardly detracted from his handsome face. A hint of masculine whisker growth gave him a rugged countenance, while his somewhat long sable hair had become completely disheveled. She gulped and told herself the altitude must have dried her throat.
    Stop dreaming and focus .
    Choice number one—to remain in his arms—did have some pleasing aspects, she had to admit. However, she would not be able to complete the experiments planned for this flight.
    Next, she considered choice number two: agree to his tomfool plan but secretly change the conditions and only pretend to cross the Channel. This choice allowed her to complete the experiments, a definite advantage. Once she collected the data, she’d double-cross him and open the valve while he was not looking, so they could safely land in England. She glanced over to the draw line tied to the rigging. How long would it take for the gas to escape, and would the hissing gas and rapid descent avoid his detection? Of course, their descent must not be too fast, but slow enough to land gently, so as not to dash their brains against a tree.
    The wind blew the madman’s curls around in a mesmerizing manner, except for one perfect curl that found refuge on his cheek. She sighed over her crazy urge to softly stroke this protected curl. Stop daydreaming and use logic . She dragged her mind back to concentrate on the problem before her.
    A new choice—number three—entered her mind. If she continued on to France, she would become the first woman, and perhaps the first person born in England, to complete the crossing. Considering the two men that had crossed the Channel together in 1784, Blanchard was born in France and Jeffries in America. That crossing took two and a half hours, and they had suffered problems once they neared France, but Eve had confidence in her newer, more modern balloon. The odds also seemed to be in their favor, because of unusually warm weather and a significant breeze. Unless the wind died altogether, they’d reach France before nightfall. Besides, if successful, her father would likely receive the needed funds to complete his experiments for many years to come. This meant he would also cease his demands for her to frighten respectable ladies and gentlemen using overly rapid ascents. However, she had no experience in long-distance balloon flights, so choice three was risky and dangerous. She