The Blackmailed Bride

‘If the cap fits…?’

‘Takes one to know one…’ she countered childishly.

‘Takes a thief to catch a thief,’ he riposted without a pause.

‘Gosh, your colloquial English is really very good.’ I can’t believe I just said that…! I’ve been knocked unconscious, kidnapped, I’m lying as good as naked in a strange bed in the company of an indisputably dangerous man who could do anything at any moment and all I can do is admire his grammar…!

His heavy lids drooped hiding the expression in his deep set eyes momentarily from Kate. ‘The British, they’re just priceless.’

‘Pardon?’

Those lush dark lashes lifted off his cheekbones revealing cynical blue. ‘Shades of the empire; you refuse to learn another language and delight in commenting on foreigners’ funny accents.’

Kate, who was mortified by this interpretation of her unthinking observation, couldn’t help but observe that his deep velvety drawl could be classified as many things, including dangerously seductive, but funny wasn’t one of them!

‘I didn’t mean it like that!’ she exclaimed, horrified to have him lump her together with an unpleasant, ignorant minority she had nothing whatever in common with. ‘Anyhow, it’s an absurd generalisation, and I was not being patronising.’ Why am I making such a fuss? she wondered eyeing the good-looking cause of her discomfort resentfully. His good opinion is not something I’m going to lie awake at nights thinking about—now his mouth, that was another matter, her wilful thoughts added naughtily.

‘You look feverish.’

Kate stiffened as a cool hand touched her perspiring forehead—she could hardly explain the likely reason for her sweaty state. The hand lifted and she sighed.

‘I’m prepared to give the benefit of the doubt,’ he announced abruptly. Their eyes met and something indefinable passed between them that made Kate’s breathing quicken perceptibly. ‘Actually, I went to school in England,’ he added casually.

Kate frowned. ‘Boarding school?’ That suggested a privileged background, as did his autocratic manner. Had he chosen crime out of choice or had circumstances forced him down that road? It seemed a wicked shame that someone she sensed had so much potential should waste his talents.

‘Do I detect a hint of disapproval?’

The edge of indulgent amusement in his voice made Kate bristle. ‘Well, if I had children I wouldn’t ship them away…’ She encountered the interested glint in his eyes and bit her lip. Like he’s really interested in what you’d do with your children, Kate… A sane person didn’t enter into a debate on private versus state education with her abductor.

‘It didn’t do me any harm.’

Kate couldn’t stop herself snorting derisively when he wheeled out the tired old line.

‘In fact…’

‘It got you where you are today—which I’d say was looking at a kidnapping charge, at the very least.’

‘Does that mean if I let you go you’ll run straight to the police?’

Kate’s face fell as she realised her smart tongue had got her into even more trouble. ‘I’m in no position to go to the police without incriminating myself.’ She waited, fingers crossed, for his response.

‘You being such a hardened criminal…’

Kate unable to interpret the odd inflection in his tone frowned. ‘Not hardened, exactly… You went to school in England—does that mean you’re not Spanish?’

‘A man could be forgiven for thinking you’re trying to change the subject.’

‘I’m curious, that’s all…’

‘About my ancestry?’

‘About your eyes…’ She cleared her throat and blushed hotly as the dangerous glint in his eyes intensified. ‘I just happened to notice they’re blue,’ she explained carelessly. ‘It’s unusual for someone with your colouring,’ she added defensively.

‘Yes, it is. I have a Scottish grandmother.’

‘It’s never too late, you know…’ she heard herself blurt out suddenly.

Much to her dismay, he eased himself farther onto the bed and folded his arms comfortably across his chest. Kate had his full, undivided attention and she didn’t want it!