Free A Night of Secrets by Lori Brighton Page B

chest. Bones there. No muscle, just bone. Involuntarily, she shrank back. If anyone should have been invited to dine with them, it should have been this man. Not Grayson Bellamont who was obviously healthy and rich enough to feed himself.
    Heat rushed to her neck. “I do apologize, Vicar. I seem to be running into a lot of people today.”
    The man smiled, adding color to his pale, thin face, but it didn’t help his appearance. Whereas she thought of a hawk or eagle when she pictured Grayson and his intense eyes, the Vicar reminded her of a raven, with his long beak nose and black clothing. She was afraid nothing would improve the dear man’s disposition.
    “Tis all right, Miss James. How do you fare?” His gaze slid from her, to the area beyond her shoulder and she knew Grayson had caught up.
    “Well, thank you.” She couldn’t help herself and glanced over her shoulder. There he stood, in all of his glorious splendor. Meg felt heat move from her neck, to her face, always blushing under the man’s intense scrutiny, as if he could read every one of her intimate, sinful thoughts. She felt Grayson’s nearness as if he touched her, yet he stood a good two feet away. He bowed low, all politeness and manners.
    “Vicar Young, Mr. Bellamont, our new neighbor,” she murmured reluctantly.
    The Vicar looked anything but pleased. “Wonderful to meet you. And will you be with us for long?”
    Grayson’s eyes remained on her. “I haven’t decided as of yet.”
    Vicar Yong straightened, peering down his beak nose. “What brings you here?”
    There was a short pause, still Grayson did not break eye contact with Meg. “Hunting.”
    Why did the word raise the fine hairs on her neck? She jerked her gaze away, needing something, anything to focus on rather than her new neighbor.
    Vicar Young frowned, those beady eyes flickering from her to Bellamont. “Is the area known for grouse? I hadn’t realized.” His attention remained on Meg, dismissing Bellamont altogether. “Your father, how does he fare?”
    Meg resisted the urge to cringe, instead forcing a smile to her lips. “Well. We are all well.” Why would the man bring up Papa now of all times, in front of a bloody stranger?
    “My mother, God bless her soul, claims people with your father’s condition have an illness. Others, I’m afraid, are not so forgiving. You must watch him, Miss James, makes sure he does not give into temptation.”
    Embarrassed heat rushed through Meg. How dare he! Her fingers curled as she resisted the urge to react to the anger surging underneath her skin. “Thank you for the warning, I really must find Hanna.” She dropped into a quick curtsey and spun around darting toward the trail that led into a group of firs.
    “Miss James,” a deep voice rumbled.
    Meg ducked under a low branch, her foot hitting the dirt path. She didn’t bother to slow, but hurried into the darkness, eager to outrun Bellamont. How could Vicar Young mention Papa’s mishap in front of a stranger? Why would he humiliate her so? Her eyes stung, but she refused to give into tears.
    She felt hunted by the man. She darted around a tree, allowing the dark shadows to hide her form. Firm fingers bit into her upper arm. Meg cried out. She was jerked to a stop, then spun around. Suddenly, she found her back pinned to the rough bark of a fir tree, a broad chest blocking her view. How had he caught up to her so quickly?
    “Release me,” she demanded immediately.
    “No.”
    A tremble of fear swept over her body. Her gaze jumped to his. “Excuse me?”
    He lifted a brow, his face hard planes of arrogance. “I said no.” Then he had the audacity to step closer, too close. Meg shrank back until the bark bit through her gown. She couldn’t seem to breathe, to think. Her brain and body had grown oddly numb.
    “I’ll scream,” she managed to whisper.
    He smiled, the bastard, knowing a useless threat when he heard one. “From what I’ve heard, Miss James, the town does