When a Lady Dares by Tara Kingston

Author:Tara Kingston
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Select Historical)
Published: 2017-05-21T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Considering what she’d endured the night before, Sophie looked more rested than Gavin would’ve anticipated. Indeed, she was even more beautiful in the light of day than she’d been beneath the café’s array of gaslights. She’d selected a tasteful green ensemble for their meeting. Ebony braid on the jacket drew his eye to her waist. He’d bet he could nearly span her middle with his hands, even without the hated corset. His groin hitched at the thought. A small black hat perched atop her honey-gold curls. Only the high-necked blouse with ruffles that brushed her jawline hinted that she attempted to conceal bruises she’d suffered at Jack’s hands. But she held her chin at an angle that put to rest any notion that the incident had left her cowed by fear.

Trask met Gavin as he entered the studio. “Miss Devereaux informed me of your courageous intervention last night when she was set upon by ruffians. I am in your debt.”

“There was nothing remarkable about my actions. Any self-respecting gentleman would’ve done the same. It was fortunate I happened along when I did. If I’d known Miss Devereaux would be without an escort, I would’ve insisted that my driver see her home.” He cocked his head, studying the charlatan’s reaction to his words. “I believed you would see her to her residence. I won’t make that mistake again.”

A muscle in Trask’s jaw tensed. “I generally make a practice of providing safe transport for Miss Devereaux. I regret—”

A mild scoffing escaped Sophie’s lips. “Perhaps you have both forgotten that I am an adult, not a girl in need of a chaperone. While your concern is appreciated, I suffered no lasting harm.”

“Be that as it may, I will ensure you are safely to your residence in the future.” The ice in Trask’s gaze clashed with the concern in his tone. “I will not risk your well-being.”

Bloody ironic. Trask had eagerly dispatched Sophie on a ridiculous but lucrative quest with a near-stranger, to a hotel of all places. Well-being, indeed.

“Thank you.” She turned to Gavin, regarding him with a slight wariness her smile did not hide. “What have you planned for our agenda this afternoon, Professor Stanwyck?”

Professor Stanwyck. The moniker struck his ears with a discordant note, vastly out of tune, given the taste of passion they’d shared. What would it be like to hear his name on her lips, uttered in that throaty, slightly sweet voice of hers?

“I have given this a great deal of thought. It is possible that my father, in a display of his rather unique brand of wit, arranged to have the treasure buried with him. Hidden in his coffin, perhaps. I believe a visit to his final resting place might be in order.”

A spark of incredulity flared in Sophie’s eyes. Truth be told, it had seemed a wonder even to himself that he could utter the proposition without laughter.

“To the cemetery?” she asked coolly.

“Yes. What better place to commune with the old man?” He paused for effect. “Unless your gadabout spirit Esme has an aversion to graveyards.

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