Her Rake by Charlotte Russell

Author:Charlotte Russell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: marriage of convenience, marriage of convenience historical romance, kidnapped historical romance, series historical romance
Publisher: Charlotte Russell
Published: 2021-10-25T00:00:00+00:00

For the life of her Tessa could not remember the journey home. Vague memories of a hackney, bouncing and rattling, were pushed aside by delightful, crisp memories of Peyton, heated and hard. She’d reacted normally to his roaming hands and obvious arousal. Though the commotion of the stable boy raking hay had brought her instantly back to the present, her body, her breasts, and her lips still tingled with the unexpected thrill of the encounter.

“What in creation were you planning to do?”

Peyton’s voice, strident and abrasive, wrenched her out of her delicious reverie. They stood in the hall; she clasping her cap in front of her, gazing off into another world, he standing with his arms crossed over his chest, midnight blue eyes boring into her.

Well. Sensual breakthrough aside, she had been caught creeping about London in the middle of the night.

“Whatever do you mean?”

Playing innocent had never worked on her father, but her husband was a different breed of man altogether. Peyton’s eyes darkened further and a vein in his temple began to pulse.

Apparently not that different.

Giving herself time to think, time to ignore the hot flashbacks tormenting her brain, she whirled and threw open the doors to the sitting room, entering to find it darkened. Peyton brushed past her and lit a lamp and two candles. Then he pinned her with that stare again, his lips drawn so tight she knew he was fighting to keep words trapped inside.

“I am rather a creature of the night. It was the only time I could escape my father’s watchful eye. Tonight was warm. A walk seemed harmless...” Her words faded as Peyton’s lips stretched ever tighter. Goodness, she’d not known he had such a temper. He was usually so good-natured.

“Where did you get the pistol?” he spit out, his lips barely moving.

Tessa threw her cap on the sofa, the last vestiges of her newfound pleasure disappearing into the dark of night. “The pistol is mine. I’ve had it for years and always take it with me when I go out after dark.”

His glare turned dubious.

She glared right back at him. “Yes, I do know how to use it. Quite well, in fact. Whipple, our coachman, gave me lessons years ago. I practice shooting at targets several times a year. My aim is true, as you almost found out. You should not ever accost a woman like that.”

Her admonishment leeched the fight out of him. “I apologize. That was not well done of me.” After she tipped her head in acceptance, he continued, “Did you not have the pistol the night you were kidnapped?”

Tessa collapsed on the sofa, her own anger deflating as well. She would never forgive herself for her oversight that night. “I forgot it. I only intended to do a little gardening and then retire for the night.”

His features softened further, but that didn’t stop his interrogation. “Where were you going tonight?”

He wasn’t going to give up. Tess threw up her hands. “I planned to sneak into Lytham’s house and steal the vowels.

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