Never Trust a Rebel

‘It is not palatial, but it will serve us for one night, sir.’ She waved to a tray on the side table. ‘May I pour you some wine?’

She met his frowning look with a smile and proceeded to fill two glasses. She held one out to him.

‘We made a bad start, Mr Bastion, but I think we should put our differences behind us. After all, we have only each other’s company for the next few days. Will you drink a toast with me? To new beginnings.’

‘Trying to bamboozle me, Miss Salforde?’

The look in his eyes dared her to try and she had to resist the temptation to look away.

‘Not at all, but surely the journey would pass much more quickly if we were not at odds with one another. Besides, it behoves me to be on good terms with my guardian.’

* * *

There was no guile in those velvet-brown eyes but Drew was cautious. He was too old and too experienced to be ensnared by a pretty face.

The devil of it was that Elyse Salforde was not just a pretty face. She was intelligent, too. And spirited. A damned attractive package that brought out the rake in him. He had feigned sleep for most of the day to avoid making any more remarks like the one that had slipped out at the start of their journey. It had upset her, and shown him what a dangerous line he was treading. But it now appeared that his attempts to keep the attraction at bay had resulted in her thinking he was angry with her. She was offering to make peace and he could not bring himself to snub her.

‘I agree with you,’ he said at last. ‘It will make life much more comfortable for both of us.’

She handed him a glass and raised her own. ‘I hope we can be friends from now on, sir.’

A scratching at the door announced dinner and he escorted Elyse to the little table where they took their places and waited while an array of dishes was spread before them. Drew had to admit that the food was good and the company even better. Elyse had been well educated and conversed easily on any number of subjects. Time passed quickly and he barely noticed the servant coming in to light the candles and build up the fire. He did notice, however, that unlike the previous evening, Elyse was in no hurry to dash off to her bed. When the covers had been removed and they had only their wine and a dish of sweetmeats on the table between them Drew sat back in his chair, smiling.

‘I have enjoyed this evening, Miss Salforde, very much.’

‘And do you still pity my husband?’

He laughed.

‘So that rankled, did it?’

‘Of course.’ A rueful smile lit her eyes and hovered on her full lips. ‘No woman likes to be thought unattractive.’

‘I meant merely that your husband will need his wits about him, if you are not to lead him a merry dance.’

She looked down, the dark sweep of her lashes shielding her eyes but he heard the wistful note in her voice when she replied.

‘I will have to learn to be a biddable, conformable wife.’

‘That would be a pity.’ Immediately her eyes flew to his face and he added quickly, ‘I am sure it was your liveliness that attracted Reverson in the first place.’