Free Silent Deception by Cathie Dunn

on the gravel behind her. With blunt force, she kicked the mare’s flanks and set off at a canter.
    “Wait, please.”
    Ignoring his pleas, she pushed the mare to a run. How stupid she’d been! She’d thought they had a bond. She trusted him.
    She needed him.
    Yet, it was likely this…woman had stayed with him at Eaton Hall all along. Probably to while away the boredom of the countryside. Minnie let the tears run down her face unheeded. It didn’t concern her. He didn’t concern her. Not anymore.
    And to think she spent half the night, clad only in her nightdress, next to him in an empty house! Heat shot into her cheeks.
    She vaguely remembered the direction back to Trekellis, though at this moment she didn’t care where she was going.
    She’d show him.
    Anger surged through her at the memory of the woman’s hand on Gideon’s thigh. Five minutes later, and God only knew what she would have encountered.
    She had a lucky escape. And now, she’d do as she must. The truth about Walker, Hettie and Rufus must come out. Tomorrow, she’d send a letter to the editor of the Cornish Times . The Drakes would be exposed, the Rothdale name pulled through the mud. Where it belonged. Like grandfather, like grandson.
    If it took her all night to write it…
    “Minnie!”
    She turned her head. Gideon, astride his stallion, approached her at a fast gallop, waving her to stop. Her mare wasn’t powerful enough to outrun the beast. Damn the man! Determined to try, she urged the poor animal on.
    Minnie veered away from the path, towards the grass bordering the cliffs. The ideal short cut. Once at Trekellis, she could hide from him. Forever.
    “Minnie, please wait.” He was begging, but also getting closer.
    If she could just–
    The mare shied away as the cliff edge appeared only yards away. Her heart pounding in her ears, Minnie turned the horse sharply to the left. “Come, lovely. Please.”
    Why had she not paid attention?
    The mare jittered beneath her, hooves slipping on the muddy grass. “No!” Minnie closed her eyes.
    “I have you.” Gideon’s firm voice beside her made her blink.
    She clung to the saddle as he grabbed the reins, steering both horses away from the void. Her body shaking, teeth clattering, her mind went numb.
    “No, no, no.” A strong arm grabbed her around the waist as the horses slowed to a halt. In an instant, he’d dismounted and scooped her into his arms, cradling her against his warm chest. He crouched to the floor, holding her tight, raining kisses on her head. “I have you.”
    Her head slumped onto his shoulder, her body relishing his heat. Slowly, her heartbeat calmed.
    Memories flooded back. “Leave me alone,” she whispered, trying to push away from him.
    “No, I won’t.” He didn’t broker disobedience, clutching her hands in his. “You’re in shock.”
    Minnie snorted. “I am indeed. That’s why–”
    “It’s not as it looked, Minnie.”
    “ Miss Goodridge to you, Lord Drake.” She glared at him.
    The edges of his mouth quirked. “Miss Goodridge it is. But you have nothing to worry about.”
    “Who says I worry?” Her fighting spirit returned. “We are merely acquaintances. You can do as you please.”
    “Is that so?” He pulled her even closer. “I’m grateful you allow me to do as I please.” He kissed her forehead, his fingers caressing her wrists.
    A fluttering of sensations ran through her body. No! “I’ll reveal it all.”
    “Will you?” He raised an eyebrow.
    “The truth about Hettie and your grandfather.”
    His gaze hardened. “That would be unwise. I was meaning to discuss this with you when–”
    “When your mistress distracted you?” She stared out over the cliff’s edge. Suddenly, she understood Hettie’s desperation. She was in love, too. With a man she could never have.
    Gideon shook his head. “Emmaline hasn’t been my mistress since I broke it off three months ago. I didn’t realize she was so…”
    “Attached?”
    His face