Lover Be Mine A Legendary Lovers Novel - By Nicole Jordan Page 0,58
his grasp, he voiced another low oath. “Be still! I will tie you up if I must.” His threat was only half empty; the last thing he wanted was for her to be injured.
Her eyes were bright with fury. “I won’t stand for this, Jack. I will escape from you the first chance I get.”
He believed her. Sophie was normally sweet and mild-mannered, but he had awakened the slumbering rebel in her.
They both suddenly became aware that he still had his arms wrapped tightly around her. For a brief moment, Jack fantasized about claiming a kiss or even more, but given her present mood, he refrained.
A fortunate choice, for Sophie pushed her hands against his chest. “Let me go, damn you!”
When he complied, she edged away from him, to the far corner of the carriage seat, and folded her arms across her chest. “You are utterly outrageous.”
“So you have said.”
The look she cast him was blistering. “How can you do this to me? You know better than anyone how it feels to be a helpless captive. You were kept prisoner for months when you were a child. I should think you would never act so cruelly to anyone else.”
Jack flinched involuntarily as her accusation struck a hidden nerve. “How do you know about that?”
“Skye told me about your ordeal.”
“She ought not have.”
“Well, she did. But now you have demolished much of the sympathy I felt for you.”
It was Jack’s turn to scowl. He clamped his jaw shut, while Sophie averted her gaze to stare out the window.
For more than an hour they traveled in silence, with her simmering, him brooding. When it began to grow dark, Jack explored the storage compartment under the opposite seat and retrieved a flask of wine and a knapsack filled with nuts and cheese and fruit. When he offered her a taste of wine, Sophie refused. So he set the flask aside and fished in his inner coat pocket. From the custom-made leather sheath he found there, he withdrew a small but very sharp dagger.
For a moment she looked startled, but he was only cutting a slice of apple for her, which she also declined.
“You should try to eat something,” Jack urged.
“My appetite is entirely gone.” She sat there another long minute before asking, “Do you intend for us to travel all through the night?”
“Only through the evening. I have two stops planned to change teams. Then we will waylay at an inn for supper and sleep.”
Sophie gave a strong shake of her head. “I cannot believe you expect me to travel for three days across France wearing an evening gown. How obtuse can you be?”
Jack lightly ran his gaze over her. She was not dressed for a journey, although she wore a velvet cloak over her gown for warmth. But he had brought several lap blankets for the carriage.
“I had only half a day to prepare,” he explained. “I took the liberty of packing a valise for you. I’ve provided you with a traveling dress and another day gown that I thought would fit you, along with undergarments and a nightdress.”
Her cheeks colored. “How could you possibly know what would fit me?”
“I guessed your measurements.”
“Based on the figures of your numerous mistresses, no doubt.”
There was some truth to her accusation, but Jack thought it wiser to avoid confirming his past affairs. “I have a sister and cousin, remember? Kate and Skye have both contributed to my knowledge of female attire.”
“They did a poor job of educating you if you think this sort of barbarism would sway any woman to your opinion.”
Jack kept silent, thinking it best not to rile Sophie any further than he already had. In truth, he was beginning to feel a measure of remorse for abducting her. He had expected resistance but not complete defiance. Obviously he’d put too much stock in his charm and powers of persuasion.
She did not relent at either of the stops to change teams. And when they finally halted in the yard of a prosperous posting inn, she crossed her arms again and stubbornly refused to get out of the coach.
“You might attempt to cooperate,” he said dryly.
“Why ever should I?”
“Because I doubt you want to cause a spectacle.”
“I don’t care a whit about causing a spectacle—”
“In that case …” Gathering her in his arms, Jack lifted her out bodily.
Sophie sputtered in indignation while clutching at his neck to avoid being dropped. “Jack, put me down!”
“Not until I have you safely inside under lock and key.”