Read Adele Ashworth for Free Online Page B

us.”
    Slowly, thoughtfully, he ran his index finger in circles around the rim of his cup. “I think you want me for many things, sweetheart, some of which you are probably far too innocent to even understand.”
    She stood rigidly. “I am not now, nor will I ever be, your sweetheart.” Inhaling very deeply, she asked with surprising smoothness, “Will you or will you not help me find the Black Knight?”
    “I will.”
    The quickness of his words stumped her.
    Briskly he raised himself to stand beside her, his expression matter-of-fact.
    “I’m sailing to Marseilles on Friday, Natalie, and you’re welcome to come with me on one condition.”
    She was thoughtful for a moment, preparing herself to argue. “And what is that?”
    “You do everything exactly as I say. You follow every instruction I give you, keep to yourself, and do not in any way question my authority. Understand?”
    She crossed her arms over her breasts. “That’s more than one condition.”
    “Take it or leave it,” he returned, crossing his arms over his chest as well.
    “And the Black Knight is in Marseilles?”
    “He will be when we get there.”
    “You know this?”
    “Yes.”
    “And you’ll introduce us?”
    “Yes.”
    “What’s his name?” she asked in a sudden rush of excitement.
    He remained silent for a second or two, frowning almost imperceptibly. “I think it would be better if I speak to him first before divulging anything about him.”
    Her heart sank. Of course it would have to be that way, but it was all she had. “I agree to your terms, sir—”
    “You must also start calling me Jonathan.”
    “Fine,” she conceded blandly. “Is there anything else?”
    He shrugged. “What about your parents?”
    She waved her hand to brush the matter aside. “They’re leaving for Italy in two days, to be gone for the season, buying artwork and bathing in the sun.” She reached for her cloak. “They’ll never know anything.”
    “Allow me.”
    His sudden gentlemanly behavior surprised her as he took the cloak from her uninjured hand and wrapped it around her shoulders. Turning her to face him, he began to button the front.
    “Why does this man intrigue you so, Natalie?” he asked contemplatively.
    She thought for a moment how to answer such a direct question.
    “He’s free,” she finally confessed. Smiling lightly to his puzzled face, she explained, “I only mean that he’s not bound by the mores of society. He’s exciting, he travels, he . . . lives for adventure.” She leaned toward him even more, eyes sparkling, and lowered her voice to just above a whisper. “I know this sounds a bit odd, but I believe he’s also looking for me.”
    He hesitated, watching her so intensely his eyes seemed to pierce hers. Then he lifted his palm to her neck and slowly began to run the pad of his thumb down from her cheek to the top of her wool collar, stopping at last when he placed it over the pounding pulse beneath her jaw. Within seconds uneasiness returned in full force as she stood so close to him, eyes locked, their bodies nearly touching.
    But he was the first to break the spell. Swiftly, he dropped his hand and turned his attention to the table, placing everything on the tray to walk it back to the counter.
    “I’m certain you’ve heard the man’s a notorious womanizer,” he stated offhandedly.
    “I’m sure that’s all very much exaggerated,” she countered.
    He smirked but said nothing else as he placed their empty cups in the sink.
    “Is he?” she prodded.
    “Is he what?”
    She gave an exasperated sigh. “A womanizer.”
    “I’m sure that’s all very much exaggerated.”
    That made her laugh.
    “What’s funny now?” he asked, amused, turning to face her again.
    She shook her head. “Since you and I have met, sir, we have had nothing but absurd conversations.”
    “Jonathan.”
    She surrendered. “Jonathan.”
    He flashed her a smile full of charm and moved toward her. “That’s because you are