Free Miss Marcie's Mischief by Lindsay Randall

the company of a Cit heiress, whom he'd never met but whom his sisters-in-law had decided would be the perfect match for him.
    Perfect? Cole doubted that. He was not in the least interested in choosing a wife. He'd seen firsthand how petulant and demanding women could be, thanks to his sisters-in-law. Neither woman enjoyed anything that was the least bit challenging. They much preferred amusing themselves with fashion plates and Town gossip rather than a brisk ride in the park or an intricate round of chess playing.
    Cole had intended to avoid their matchmaking by using his duties in the Whip Driving Club as an excuse not to join them on their trek to Stow, and also as a way of avoiding their plot to pair him with some heiress, who would no doubt prove to be just as spoilt and selfish as the many heiresses he'd encountered thus far.
    Yet here he was, heading for Burford, which was but a short distance from Stow and Penelope's house, with a coach filled with folk he barely knew. So much for finding time alone and avoiding having to travel to Stow. Adding to all of this was the fact that Cole was hours behind his appointed schedule.
    The only nugget of pleasure for him was the fact that Miss Marcie's smile did odd things to his heart. Cole glanced over at the girl he'd termed "Mistress Mischief." She was mischievous, certainly. But she was also a great deal more, he was beginning to learn.
    The fact that she was now sound asleep, snuggled back on the bench, afforded Cole the leisure of admiring the way her fiery curls framed her lovely face, the way her slumbering mouth formed a perfect Cupid's bow, and the way the dusky length of her long, luscious lashes curved upward.
    She was far too pretty to be out and about, alone in the world. Someone should be watching over the girl. Someone should safeguard her, he thought.
    Cole turned his attention back to the road, minding the bends and ruts. Though he'd been surprised—and concerned—about the way in which his Mistress Mischief had chosen to deal with the highwayman, he'd soon found himself admiring her spunk.
    Cole chuckled to himself, shaking his head at the memory of Marcie jumping down off the bench to confront the highwayman. Such a glorious sight! She was brave, he'd give her that. Maybe too brave.
    Cole looked over at her once again. The rug had slipped down past her knees again, he realized.
    Cole reached over to pull the thing back up and around her. "My little Mistress Mischief," he whispered softly as he tucked the rug around her. "Why ever did no one teach you to beware the chilled and coldhearted souls of this world?"
    Surely the girl's spirit would be broken by the scoundrels scouring the earth. Surely her sweet heart would one day be nicked by those people whose souls had been turned to so much brittle, cold stone by the wickedness of the world. People like Jack the highwayman.
    Like himself.
    * * *
    Marcie came awake just as Cole Coachman tucked the carriage rug about her. "Hullo," she said sleepily. "I must have drifted off again."
    The man quickly pulled his hand away, suddenly concentrating on the reins and muttering something she couldn't make out.
    Marcie frowned.
    No doubt Cole Coachman was angry with her. She'd been very forward in suggesting that Cole allow the highwayman to board his coach. But even so, Marcie hadn't been able to turn a cold shoulder on the poor little man who'd sought to warm his empty belly by robbing a coach.
    "You are not angry with me, are you?" Marcie asked.
    He gave her a queer look. "Why ever would you ask that?" he demanded sharply.
    Heavens! but the man could be so deuced moody, she thought.
    Marcie straightened on the bench. "I guess it must be the way you are gripping the reins," she said, her voice just as sharp. "And your mouth is ever so tight—as though you'd been thinking about how I've made this run such a mess."
    "Are you always so forward with everyone you meet?" he demanded.
    "Yes," Marcie said. "I am. Now answer my