Free Jaded Moon (Ransomed Jewels Book 2) by Laura Landon

seconds, then closed the book and placed it in her lap. She steadied herself, then lifted her gaze.
    He stepped in front of her to block the sunlight and she had a perfect view of his features. He was magnificently handsome, but the somber look on his face indicated he didn’t particularly care if anyone noticed.
    “Allow me,” he said, reaching out his hand to help her to her feet. His deep, resonating voice wrapped around her as he issued his invitation and a shiver raced down her spine.
    He stood with his feet braced wide, his back rigid and straight, and it was all she could do to tear her gaze from his face to his large, solid hand extended toward her.
    She glanced back to his face but his features remained an unreadable mask. Josie focused on the subtle nuances concealed behind the slight curve of his mouth and the gleam in his eyes in an effort to read his expression. When she couldn’t, she glanced back at his extended hand and considered ignoring his offer. Then realized refusing would be cowardice.
    “Thank you.” She placed her hand in his and let him help her to her feet.
    The feel of his flesh against hers jolted her with more awareness than she thought possible and as soon as she could, she pulled her hand free. She wasn’t sure if he noticed; couldn’t tell from his expression.
    “I see you’ve brought the children outside,” he said, his words innocuous enough while his intense gaze moved to study each and every child as she knew he would.
    “Yes. We take the children out whenever the weather permits.”
    “Are these just the younger children, then?”
    He didn’t wait for her to answer, but stepped closer to the group of youngsters.
    If circumstances had been different, Josie would have laughed at the expressions on the children’s faces. Every one of them stared with open mouths and wide eyes at the giant standing before them. She had to admit he was an impressive figure even to an adult. She couldn’t begin to imagine how intimidating he must seem to a child.
    “All the children here are between the ages of three and five.”
    His eyebrows shot upward. “This was planned?”
    “I assumed you would not give up until your curiosity had been satisfied.”
    He cast her an amused glance. “I’m impressed.”
    “Don’t be. This just seemed the most expeditious method of satisfying your curiosity. It’s preferable to having you return to Sacred Heart and frighten the children.”
    The Marquess of Rainforth crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the tree she’d been sitting beneath. “You don’t have a very favorable opinion of me, do you. May I ask why?”
    “Your reputation has preceded you, my lord.”
    “ My reputation, Miss Foley? Or my fath—”
    “ Your reputation,” she repeated. “Your riotous lifestyle and extravagant spending have always been of interest to everyone at St. Stephen’s. So were the scandals in which you were involved.”
    “And you believed everything you heard?”
    “Are you saying the rumors that made their way to St. Stephen’s were unfounded? Nothing more than vicious gossip?”
    She saw his hesitation as if he realized a lie would have served his purpose better. She felt a sense of admiration when he admitted what everyone knew.
    “No. There was probably more truth to them than I would like to admit.”
    “Yet now you want me to hand over a child into your care and keeping.”
    She saw his eyes flash but she reinforced her stand with another accusation. “The fact that you are searching for a child you’ve never seen or made an effort to find until now is hardly to your advantage.”
    “Yet, here I am.”
    Josie swung her arm out to encompass the small group of children still sitting on the grass. “And I can see you won’t give up until you’ve met the children. So, I have assembled them for you.”
    Josie didn’t give the marquess time to respond, but turned to the children and called out, “Richie, please come here.”
    A