Sweet Rogue of Mine (The Survivors #9) - Shana Galen Page 0,101
would send his son to an asylum tonight, and she’d never see Nash again. But Mr. Payne wouldn’t let that happen. Payne was big and strong and soft-spoken, and she doubted even an earl would cross him. Why had the man chosen to arrive today? Everything had been going so well. Nash had taken her to bed, and she’d been ready to tell him that she loved him. It seemed a foolish thing to do. She didn’t think he loved her back, and she didn’t think telling him would change anything. She understood now why he didn’t think she was safe with him.
But she wanted to tell him nonetheless.
“You really should watch where you walk,” a voice said.
Pru jumped and let out a little scream. She’d taken a shortcut back to the village, traipsing through the farms and woods rather than staying on the road, which would have taken longer but now she saw would have also been infinitely smarter.
She whirled around and there, leaning against the fence she’d just climbed, was George Northgate. “You didn’t even see me just now,” Northgate said.
“Mr. Northgate,” Pru said, trying to catch her breath. “I admit, I didn’t see you.”
“I doubt you would have climbed over that fence and shown me half your calf if you had. Did you lose your stockings somewhere?”
Pru thought of her stockings, probably still on the floor of Nash’s bedchamber. No, Clopdon would have picked them up by now. She’d probably have them returned, cleaned and mended, tomorrow.
“A gentleman would not have looked at my legs,” she said, sounding prim and prudish to her ears. She didn’t usually say such things, but she suddenly felt a sense of violation. He should have made his presence known.
“As though you’re a lady.” Northgate sneered at her. She hadn’t seen him like this before. Granted, she didn’t know him well, and what she knew she didn’t like, but she felt uneasy. “You may not be much to look at,” he said, “with those spots on your face and that flat chest, but I’ll admit your legs aren’t half bad.”
“The vicar is waiting for me,” Pru said, starting away. She’d known men like George Northgate before. They were bullies who thought they could treat others like rubbish just because someone didn’t have as much money or their family name. The best course of action was to ignore them. Pru started away, but a moment later, Northgate was in front of her, running to slide right in front of her so she had to take a step back to avoid smashing into him.
“What’s your hurry? I thought we could talk for a few minutes.”
“No, thank you.” Pru tried to move around him, but he stepped in front of her.
“Don’t you like me, Miss Howard? Or do you only tumble blind madmen in the clearing off the road?”
Pru tried to prevent her face from showing any emotion, but she knew she’d failed when he gave her a satisfied smile. Her heart was pounding now, the sound loud in her ears. Northgate had seen them. He’d seen her with Nash. She remembered the sound of the snapped branch, and she wished she’d looked harder or at least investigated. She didn’t want to face Northgate alone.
“I’m expected for dinner,” she said. “Move out of the way.”
“What? No sweet words for me? If you want me to move, you have to ask nicely.”
Pru swallowed. She was in trouble. She knew it, and Northgate knew she had few options. Yes, she was expected at dinner, but no one would come looking for her. Not yet. Not for hours. She often stayed late at Wentmore, and Mrs. Blimkin and the vicar wouldn’t worry about her for at least another hour or more.
“Please let me pass,” Pru said, making her voice as sweet as possible.
“That was nicely done,” he said. “But I think you can do better. Give me a compliment.”
Pru swallowed her distaste. This would not work. The more she appeased him, the more he would want. She would have to try another way. “Please, Mr. Northgate,” she began. “You are so handsome and intelligent and—what is that?” She gasped and pointed, and Northgate turned sharply to look behind him.
Pru took the chance and used both hands to push him as hard as she could. He’d already been in motion, and the momentum carried him forward, and he stumbled and fell. Pru didn’t wait to see what would happen when he stood again. She lifted her skirts and ran.