Free Innocent Courtesan to Adventurer's Bride by Louise Allen Page B

smile back. But of course, this sort of disarming behaviour was probably standard tactics for a predatory rake. ‘Lord Dreycott,’ Lina said with all the severity of which she was capable—which, to be frank, she knew was not much, ‘you should not have tried to kiss me in the first place.’
    If he only looked like Sir Humphrey Tolhurst or one of the other habitués of The Blue Door, then she would be terrified of him. Because this man was handsome and charming and made her laugh, and left her feeling as though her bones were melting along with her will-power, he wasmore dangerous than they were, not less. The devil, as Papa was fond of saying, wore a pretty face when he was tempting the unwary sinner.
    â€˜I know. But you were so utterly irresistible. I was intrigued enough by the nun, but when she was suddenly a furious Valkyrie, eyes flashing, that mane of blonde hair flying in the breeze, I was lost.’
    â€˜What is a Valkyrie?’ Lina asked, suspicious that it was another cant term for a loose woman. Ashley began to make his way down the steep path, his muscles moving in intriguing and disturbing ways.
    â€˜A Norse female horsewoman who carries the dead warriors back to Valhalla, the home of the gods, from the battlefield. But never mind Norse legend—why were you so furious when I called you a nun?’
    â€˜Because…’ Lina found explaining was beyond her. ‘Why did you?’
    â€˜The plain gowns, the prim necklines, the scraped-back hair, the downcast eyes.’ He turned his head a little to see her face. His own was amused, but she could read the speculation in his eyes. ‘A perfect little nun. I assume it was your idea to make yourself look older than you are and more suitable as a housekeeper.’
    â€˜Oh.’ So, he had seen right through that! ‘I did think it was more appropriate. And after your great-uncle died and we were in mourning, black was the only proper colour.’ She had thrown gowns into her portmanteaux almost at random when she had fled. One had fortunately been black, another a soft blue grey and the third plain white, so with dye, the coloured trimmings removed and the necklines raised with the judicious use of ribbons and muslin, she had sufficient sombre gowns to be respectable.
    â€˜Great-Uncle Simon would not want mourning,’ Ashleysaid with decision. His foot slipped, but with a twist he had his balance back, despite the burden in his arms. He was strong, Lina realised, strong and fit and hard. She closed her eyes for a moment and let her head rest on his shoulder before she had the will-power to lift it again. ‘In fact, I think I will forbid it to the entire household. No, you may get out your pretty gowns again.’
    â€˜I have just dyed them all black,’ Lina said, pulling herself together and opening her eyes again. It was not true, she had three more gowns untouched, but she was not producing those, all chosen with the help of Aunt Clara. Quinn Ashley would like them far too well, she was sure.
    â€˜Buy some more,’ he said carelessly. ‘You can afford to now.’
    â€˜Yes, I suppose I can. Mr Havers told me I may have pin money. But in any case, I am the housekeeper.’
    â€˜Do I need a housekeeper?’ he asked. ‘Can you not just act as the mistress of the house and order the servants to do what is necessary?’
    Mistress of the house? There were so many layers of innuendo and meaning in that phrase that Lina could feel herself blushing. ‘Please, my lord, put me down?’ Lina asked as they reached the edge of the wood and level ground. ‘I would be most embarrassed if the staff saw me like this.’ He set her on her feet at once. It jarred her bruises, but she bit back the exclamation of discomfort in case he scooped her up once more. ‘If I had no work to do, then I would feel I was being a parasite, living off your charity.’
    He was still