Read Some Like It Sinful (Hellion's Den) for Free Online Page A

accusing.
    “Of course I know of him,” she said tartly. “My governess insisted I learn all the names of the titled families as well as their tedious heirs, although I could never comprehend why. It is not as if I shall ever have need to move among society.”
    “What is his connection to you?”
    “There is none. He is not related to me, nor have we ever met.”
    The thin nose flared. “You are lying.”
    Clara surged to her feet, an angry heat flushing her cheeks. Why . . . the . . . the . . . She was too angry to conjure an appropriate insult. He had just branded her a liar. Her. Miss Clara Dawson, who never lied.
    If her father had not insisted that good manners were essential no matter what the situation, she would have stomped on his toes.
    “I do not lie, sir,” she gritted. “Why should I?”
    His eyes narrowed. “That is what I intend to discover.”
    “There is nothing for you to discover.”
    “There has to be something.”
    Clara forced herself to suck in a deep breath. His tenacity was becoming less a source of annoyance and more a source of downright harassment.
    “Why? Why do you presume I have something to do with this Lord Doulton?”
    There was a silent beat before he stabbed her with a glittering gaze.
    “Because he wants you dead.”
    Clara’s heart stopped beating and then an odd buzzing entered her ears.
    “What did you say?”
    “He has hired a gang of ruffians led by a very nasty bloke named Jimmy Blade to ambush your carriage and murder you. There must be some reason why.”
    Clara swayed in shock.
    Dead? Someone wanted her dead?
    No. It was not possible. She opened her mouth to protest but no sound came out. Instead a wave of darkness slammed into her. She thought her knees might have buckled, but it was impossible to determine. The darkness had taken hold and she thankfully knew no more.
     
     
    Hawksley muttered his way through his favorite list of curses as he snatched up the unconscious Miss Dawson and carried her to the loft. It was a long list, but he went through it twice more as he carefully tucked his captive on the mattress tossed on the floor and covered her with his caped coat.
    He did not want to miss one.
    Returning down the narrow flight of stairs, he tore his way through the cupboards, shifting aside the inevitable bottles of brandy until he at last discovered the small flask of whiskey. Taking several long pulls, he waited for the fiery spirit to settle his rattled composure before collecting a glass of water and returning to the loft.
    Damn and blast.
    The woman had scared the hell out of him when she had so abruptly fainted. It had occurred so quickly he had barely managed to take a step forward before she had toppled backward, banging her head on the bench before crumpling onto the floor.
    Just for a moment he had been terrified the blow to her head had killed her. Although there was no blood, she had been shockingly pale as she lay in a motionless heap. Dropping onto the floor beside her, he had nearly swooned himself when he felt the steady pulse.
    It was then he had gathered her in his arms and taken her to the loft.
    And began swearing at his stupidity.
    Setting aside the water, Hawksley settled himself on the edge of the mattress and studied the woman lying beneath the blanket.
    Darkness had nearly enveloped the cottage, but there was still enough light to make out the delicate features and the dark fringe of lashes that rested against her pale cheeks. Instinctively he reached out to brush a silver curl behind her ear.
    Damn, but she looked so fragile. And far too innocent to be involved with a scurrilous creature like Lord Doulton.
    Whatever the reason the blackguard desired this woman dead, Hawksley was finding it increasingly difficult to believe she had been intimately involved in his brother’s death.
    She might be aggravating to a near-historic degree and far too outspoken for a proper lady, but she was incapable of deception. He was certain of