Free If He's Dangerous by Hannah Howell Page A

on the top of his desk and frowned. “For a moment I had feared that I had forgotten that we had guests. Only, it does appear that this particular guest would prefer to be forgotten.”
    â€œNot forgotten, just well hidden.”
    â€œYoung lady, you will tell me what you have managed to get yourself tangled up in. And, I suspect, poor Max, as well.”
    Lorelei sighed and told her father exactly what she had told Max. “So, you see, Papa, it is of the utmost importance that as few people as possible know where Sir Argus is. At least, until his family arrives to help him or he recovers completely from the brutal treatment of his captors.”
    Roland rubbed a hand over his chin, studying his daughter as he thought on all she had said. He knew he was indeed a somewhat negligent father, but he loved all of his children, as well as the ones who had been put into his care. He might spend much of his time lost in his books, but he was certain each child at Sundunmoor knew they could turn to him if they needed him, and many had from time to time. He was, therefore, not ignorant of all the ways his many offspring could manipulate the truth. His daughter had told him the truth, but not all of it. There was also a look in her eyes, a telltale shine, whenever she spoke Sir Argus’s name. As far as he knew, no man had ever put that shine in his daughter’s eyes before. This was definitely one of those times when he needed to keep his mind sharp and watch her closely.
    â€œI believe I must meet this man,” he said as he stood up.
    â€œNow?” Lorelei asked as her father grasped her by the hand and tugged her to her feet.
    â€œHe has been here for a week, has he not? I think it is far past time I acted the proper host and welcomed him to Sundunmoor.”
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    â€œPapa, it is truly very important that no one learns he is here.”
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    He hooked her arm through his and patted her hand. “I am well aware of that. No need to keep reminding me. Although I think you gravely underestimate the servants if you believe none of them have guessed that you are hiding someone in the gatehouse.” He watched as she grew a little pale and patted her hand again. “None of them will speak out of turn or spread gossip. Weeded that sort out a long time ago.”
    Lorelei reluctantly allowed her father to lead her away from the library toward the front door. He was not going to give her even the smallest chance of warning Argus that he was about to meet her father, the duke. This was a poor time for her father to become keen-witted and sharp-eyed, she thought crossly. She could only hope that he did not also decide to suddenly become obedient to all the rules of propriety, for she had no intention of staying away from Sir Argus Wherlocke.
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    Not that putting herself in his way was getting her very far, she mused. The man still kept kissing her and then pushing her away. If she had not sensed his desire for her, she would probably be hiding under her bed, crippled with humiliation. There was so much passion in his kisses she was both infuriated and impressed with the strength he revealed in reining it in before they indulged in more than kisses. She had none at all. The only good thing she could see in Argus’s reluctance to seduce her was that it revealed that he honored her enough not to want to play any roguish games with her. That was all well and good. She was not playing any games, either.
    The look on Sir Argus’s handsome face when she entered the room arm in arm with her father almost made her grin. He was quite obviously stunned, but he quickly hid that shock behind an expression that bespoke courtesy with a touch of aloofness. Lorelei was rather envious of that skill.
    â€œYour Grace,” Argus said and quickly stood up to bow.
    â€œOh, sit. Sit,” ordered her father. “You must be far healthier than when you arrived, but you still look like you lost a battle with