Free For the Love of a Soldier by Victoria Morgan

in apprehending the men planning my murder.”
    “What?” she breathed. “
Me?
But I’ve told you all I know. I don’t—”
    “You hold the only intelligence I have. I can’t afford to lose that. Hence, I can’t afford to lose you.”
    His words were like a strong wave, knocking her feet out from beneath her. In its wake, a cold, damp chill washed over her.
    Kendall stood and began to pace the room. “You have something I want, and I have something
you
want.”
    “And what, besides my clothes, can that possibly be?” she said, her eyes narrowed.
    He stopped and faced her, curling his hands around the footboard and leaning forward, his expression intense. “Money. You need it enough to risk scandal and expulsion from society. I have money, my own as well as the money I returned to you, which, if you recall, you did vow to repay.”
    She raised her chin. “You said you didn’t want it.”
    “I don’t
need
it.” He corrected her. “You can keep those funds if you are willing to earn more by assisting me in this investigation. I will reimburse you for your time. Otherwise”—he shrugged—“I’m afraid I’ll have to call in your debt as my bargaining chip.”
    She raked him with a contemptuous look. “Your word means nothing to you, so why should I trust you?”
    “I’m trusting you,” he pointed out. “I’m willing to forfeit your wager, but are you? Do you truly wish to be in my debt?” He straightened and peered down at her. “You don’t strike me as someone who likes to be indebted to anyone. You chose to gamble for higher stakes and earn your own fortune, rather than have another bail you out. You didn’t enter a professionsuitable for a woman to earn an income, such as a governess or a paid companion. Well, if you want to play like a man, you have to pay like a man.”
    Anger suffused her. Damn him. He didn’t know anything about her, her choices, or the risks she was willing to take.
    She had spoken the truth when she had told him that neither the law nor a vengeful husband pursued her. She sought to escape her greedy, mercenary uncle, her late father’s brother. He never would have allowed Alex to step into a respectable household as a paid companion or a governess. He had shut off those avenues when Alex had thwarted his plans for her and fled her home, barely managing to escape with the tattered remains of her hide. She wasn’t willing to risk it again by entering into a murder investigation.
    “If you assist me,” he continued. “I will pay you for your time. You will be well compensated, or at least have enough monies to keep you out of gambling debt for the foreseeable future.”
    She ignored the unwelcome reminder of her recent card loss and struggled to digest his words. For someone starving, the offer of a steady income was like being delivered a full-course meal. She had to swallow before she could manage a response. “What? Why?”
    “Consider it an exchange of sorts.” He shrugged. “My life, for yours.” He paused and his gaze leveled on hers, his gray eyes darkening. “And after last night, you as well as I are aware of the dangers inherent in assisting me. I will do all in my power to keep you safe, but someone is trying to kill me, and they don’t give a damn if their murderous course sacrifices anyone else. You need to be aware of the risks you are facing in your choice to assist me. It’s another reason why I’m willing to compensate you so generously.”
    She blinked, those horrible moments in the coach before her world went black flashing before her. She pressed her hand to her temple, her thoughts spiraling. Reviewing her ill-fated gambling foray and her own perilous situation, she wondered if she would be exchanging one form of danger for another? Some risks were worth taking, but at what price? Toss in Kendall’s lethal smile and another danger assailed her. Her eyes snapped to his. “I can’t be seduced. I won’t be your mistress.”
    His lips