Dangerous Joy by Jo Beverley

Author:Jo Beverley [Beverley, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Historical, England, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯), Ireland, Historical Romance, Man-Woman Relationships, Regency, Great Britain, Guardian and Ward, Inheritance and Succession, Romance Fiction
ISBN: 9780821773468
Publisher: Zebra
Published: 1994-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Felicity stared at Miles, feeling as if she were transported into a dream-state where nothing was real. This large, modern house with long gleaming windows and carefully tended grounds was the height of respectability. How could Miles be threatening to take her in there bound and gagged?

There were even servants. Respectable-looking servants who could not—like Hennigan and the rest—owe their allegiance to Clonnagh.

She looked at Miles again, seeking a trace of uncertainty or hesitation, but saw none. His resolution astonished her and even summoned a degree of admiration. Truly he was turning out to be a foe worthy of her mettle. If the matter were not so serious, she could almost enjoy the battle.

The coach door swung open. Felicity hesitated, tempted to make Miles bind and gag her simply because she knew he'd hate it....

Suddenly, though, she was weary of it all. She'd rest and reconnoiter the land before continuing the war.

"I give you no parole," she said, "but I'll walk into the house peacefully enough."

The breath he exhaled told her he'd been less sure of himself than she'd thought, but it didn't change matters. He'd succeeded in bringing her here. First skirmish to him. She doubted he could hold her, though, unless they had a dungeon to lock her in.

She picked up Gardeen, let a footman hand her down, and walked toward the house, studying the area like a general preparing for battle. The house lay close to the road, and the estate was unwalled. Not that a wall would keep her in, but the open effect of rolling meadows on all sides made this place a very unlikely prison.

A lady appeared in the doorway, a handsome brunette in a comfortable blue wool gown and capacious but costly Indian shawl. "Miles! How wonderful. We'd almost given you up. Lucien's riding one of your horses today. He said you'd written asking him to."

"Indeed I did, or they'd have been fat as slugs by now. Beth, may I present to you Miss Felicity Monahan of Foy Hall in Meath. She has the great misfortune to be my ward. Felicity, this is Beth, Marchioness of Arden, our hostess here."

Felicity felt she should be surly, but Lady Arden appeared so pleasant, so ordinary, that she simply couldn't. She curtsied. "Good day, Lady Arden. I'm sorry to arrive uninvited and unannounced."

"Think nothing of it," her hostess said cheerfully, ushering her into a well-lit beech-paneled hall. "The Rogues all come and go as they please."

The hall was decorated with a great many fox masks interspersed with hunting prints and a couple of fine oils of magnificent horses. No doubt as to the purpose of this establishment.

"It must be a great convenience to them," Felicity said, "to have a residence so close to good hunting."

Lady Arden grinned. "One might almost think Nicholas had that in mind when he chose Lucien to be one of the Rogues. Nicholas is King Rogue. Oh, but you don't want to hear me chatter. You look exhausted. Let me show you to a room.

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