Read Be Mine Tonight for Free Online Page B

she couldn’t place, and in the delicate light of the moon heappeared like something out of a romantic tale of knights and damsels. Never had she felt so aware of a man, and certainly not so soon into their acquaintance.
    She backed away, unable any longer to fight the urge to retreat. He did not follow, but watched her with a keen understanding that disturbed her even more than her attraction to him. Did he know that if he chose to kiss her right now she would let him, just because she had the sudden desire to discover how he would taste?
    “People hunt the Grail for two reasons, Miss Ryland.”
    Obviously he was not aware of her attraction to him at all. Thank God.
    “They think it will bring riches and power, or they believe it will grant eternal youth.” He tilted his head as he regarded her. “Which is it that drives you, greed or vanity?”
    There was no trace of censure or derision in his expression or tone. He was simply curious.
    “Desperation,” she admitted hoarsely, truthfully, holding his gaze even though it humbled her to do so. Not riches, not eternal youth, just the chance to enjoy a normal lifetime.
    “A better reason than most. What about your Mr. Grey?” He slid his hands into his pockets in a deceptively casual—and unthreatening—manner. “What are his reasons for hunting the Grail?”
    “First of all, I do not think hunting is the appropriate term. Second, Marcus’s reasons for locating the Grail are purely those of scholarly interest.” At least that’s what he had told her, and what sheassumed. Any other reasons he might have didn’t matter—Pru honestly didn’t care.
    “And third, he is not my Mr. Grey.” Fourth, why had he looked at her as though he understood her “desperation” without knowing anything about it?
    He eyed her strangely. “Forgive me. I meant no disrespect.”
    The way he said it made her feel a fool, but his tone was not the least bit mocking. In fact, he sounded as though he felt sorry for her.
    She would prefer he mocked her instead.
    “However well you know Mr. Grey, I would advise you to use caution, Miss Ryland. The search for the Grail has driven men to act out of character on more than one occasion. Your desire to find the Grail and sheltered existence make you a target for those who would take advantage.” He turned his back to her and began walking once more.
    Again he sounded as though he spoke from experience, but she’d address that later. He also sounded like her former governess, chastising her for misbehaving. “Are you often out in society, Mr. Chapel?”
    He didn’t look back and she didn’t follow. “No.”
    “I thought as much.”
    He stopped again, turning his head to pin her with those unreadable eyes, but there was no mistaking the rueful expression on his face. “I have offended you.”
    “Yes.” Pru’s jaw was still tight. “I believe you have.”
    “I’m sorry.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I’m not very… good with people.”
    “Really?” Her tone was clipped. “I never would have guessed.”
    His smile was sheepish. He wasn’t the least bit offended by her sarcasm or her candor. “I said I was sorry.”
    Yes, he had. The proper thing for her to do—the polite thing—would be to accept his apology and perhaps even offer one of her own.
    “I appreciate that,” she said instead. She moved past him to lead the way back to the house.
    His hands went back into his pockets as he fell into step beside her. He had nice hands—long and elegant but strong. His forearms were tanned, lightly dusted with golden hair that caught the moonlight like newly minted gold. “But I do think you should be cautious in your endeavor.”
    Pru’s teeth scraped together. “Of course. You obviously have given this excursion much more thought and consideration than I have.”
    Dark brows hardly rose at her caustic reply, but his earlier mirth was gone. “Not this excursion, but one very much like it, yes.”
    So she was