Read Along Came a Rogue for Free Online Page A

He drew a deep breath to steady his concentration. “Hedley and I are spending the night here, and in the morning, you’re coming with us to—”
    With a frustrated groan, she shoved futilely at his shoulders. “Why won’t you just trust me?”
    His rising frustration matched hers as he ground out, “Because the last time we met, you nearly ‘trusted’ me straight into a duel.”
    “Oh, for heaven’s sake!” The words poured from her with an angry groan. “How many more times will that kiss ruin my life?”
    His head snapped back as if she’d slapped him. “ What? ”
    Her hand flew to her mouth as she realized what she’d said, deep regret dancing in her wide eyes. “I’m so sorry,” she forced out, muffled between her fingers. “I didn’t mean—oh, Grey…”
    His eyes narrowed on her. She’d certainly meant it, all right. “The last time I saw you—” He angrily choked off. Lord, how this woman roiled his insides! One moment, the minx had him wanting to strip her naked, the next he wanted to wring her little neck. “Damned stupid of us—of me —to let you talk me into…” Christ!
    He’d been kicked out of Ivy Glen, nearly lost Thomas’s friendship—now the damned woman had the nerve to blame him for ruining her life?
    “Forget it, Emily. Please.” He’d certainly done his best to do just that, until Thomas sent him here, apparently straight into hell after all. “I’m still being punished for it by your parents. I don’t deserve to be punished by you, too.”
    She gaped at him. “Punished— you ? When I was sent—” She stopped, her eyes narrowing curiously on the bewildered look he gave her. Remorse darkened her face as she asked quietly, “You truly don’t know? Thomas never told you?”
    “Told me what?” He sighed heavily, wanting nothing more than to put the past behind them for good, get on the road to London, and leave for Spain, where he already should have been. “He said you went off to school, then got married.”
    And widowed last fall. Was that what was wrong? His heart skipped. Was all this emotion because she was still grieving her late husband?
    “Emily,” he pleaded, his voice gentling, “tell me what’s wrong so I can help you.”
    She hesitated, an expression of such grief and fear dashing across her face that he lost his breath. For one moment her lips parted, and she looked pleadingly at him for understanding, as if she wanted to unburden herself—
    Then her mouth snapped shut, the veil once more falling over her face.
    She arched a brow. “You won’t leave here without me?” she asked, veering the conversation back to their standoff.
    “No,” he answered firmly.
    “Then we seem to have a problem, Major.” Indignantly, she pushed him back and stepped past. “Because I’m not going anywhere!”
    Clenching his jaw so tightly that the muscle twitched in his cheek, he watched her bend over to pick up the hunting gun she’d used to shoot at him. Then she walked away toward the house.
    “You don’t have a choice,” he called out to her retreating back. He’d shove her into a carriage and drive away with her inside if it came to that.
    She faced him, holding the gun expertly in the crook of her arm. “Thomas taught me how to shoot. He’s a very good shot. The best, in fact.” She paused meaningfully, a warning in her voice. “Since my husband’s death, I sleep with a loaded pistol next to my bed. And I never miss.”
    His mouth twisted wryly. “You missed me earlier.”
    “I hit a foot above your head, exactly where I aimed.” She tucked a golden curl behind her ear. “So please keep that in mind should you decide to try kidnapping me in the middle of the night.”
    With a toss of her head, she opened the door and disappeared inside the house.
    Grey stared after her, blowing out an aggravated breath. Where on earth had the adorable brat gone? How had this woman with the temperament of a she-devil and the body of a temptress taken her