For the Love of a Soldier (9 page)

She sucked in her breath at the impact of it. It softened the hard lines of his features and did disturbing things to her body. Her pulse rate spiked, heat suffused her cheeks and slid up her neck.

“Some risks are indeed worth taking, on that we are in agreement,” Kendall said, his eyes warm.

Disconcerted, Alex shifted. There were risks she was willing to take, lines she was willing to cross, and there were those she was not. Kendall stood firmly on the other side of the line, deep in forbidden territory. He was a soldier wielding many weapons, all of them dangerous. She needed to get far away from him. But her traitorous body didn’t move, couldn’t move. Kendall held her captive without laying a finger on her.

Suddenly his smile vanished, his brows lowered, and suspicion clouded his eyes. “You’re not dodging debt collectors or running from the magistrate or a vengeful husband, are you?”

Surprised by his sudden mood change, it took a moment before his words registered. “Certainly not,” she protested. “And unlike yourself, no one wants
me
dead. I’m also not married, so that is one less vengeful husband for you to worry about.”

He cocked a brow. “You’re sounding more and more like yourself. Good. We’ll get to your story later, or not, if you so choose. As long as you are not wanted by the law or involved in anything illegal, I won’t force the issue—yet.” Again he peered at her, letting his words hang in a question.

“I’m not.”

“I’ll have to trust you on that, for as you say, some risks are worth taking. Now if you’re still willing to gamble on the odds, I’d like to raise the stakes.”

She stilled. What was he talking about? She wasn’t crossing
that
line. No words or devastating smiles could change her mind. She rubbed her temple, struggling to deduce his intent. “What are you talking about?”

“I want your help in apprehending the men planning my murder.”

“What?” she breathed. “
Me?
But I’ve told you all I know. I don’t—”

“You hold the only intelligence I have. I can’t afford to lose that. Hence, I can’t afford to lose you.”

His words were like a strong wave, knocking her feet out from beneath her. In its wake, a cold, damp chill washed over her.

Kendall stood and began to pace the room. “You have something I want, and I have something
you
want.”

“And what, besides my clothes, can that possibly be?” she said, her eyes narrowed.

He stopped and faced her, curling his hands around the footboard and leaning forward, his expression intense. “Money. You need it enough to risk scandal and expulsion from society. I have money, my own as well as the money I returned to you, which, if you recall, you did vow to repay.”

She raised her chin. “You said you didn’t want it.”

“I don’t
need
it.” He corrected her. “You can keep those funds if you are willing to earn more by assisting me in this investigation. I will reimburse you for your time. Otherwise”—he shrugged—“I’m afraid I’ll have to call in your debt as my bargaining chip.”

She raked him with a contemptuous look. “Your word means nothing to you, so why should I trust you?”

“I’m trusting you,” he pointed out. “I’m willing to forfeit your wager, but are you? Do you truly wish to be in my debt?” He straightened and peered down at her. “You don’t strike me as someone who likes to be indebted to anyone. You chose to gamble for higher stakes and earn your own fortune, rather than have another bail you out. You didn’t enter a profession
suitable for a woman to earn an income, such as a governess or a paid companion. Well, if you want to play like a man, you have to pay like a man.”

Anger suffused her. Damn him. He didn’t know anything about her, her choices, or the risks she was willing to take.

She had spoken the truth when she had told him that neither the law nor a vengeful husband pursued her. She sought to escape her greedy, mercenary uncle, her late father’s brother. He never would have allowed Alex to step into a respectable household as a paid companion or a governess. He had shut off those avenues when Alex had thwarted his plans for her and fled her home, barely managing to escape with the tattered remains of her hide. She wasn’t willing to risk it again by entering into a murder investigation.

“If you assist me,” he continued. “I will pay you for your time. You will be well compensated, or at least have enough monies to keep you out of gambling debt for the foreseeable future.”

She ignored the unwelcome reminder of her recent card loss and struggled to digest his words. For someone starving, the offer of a steady income was like being delivered a full-course meal. She had to swallow before she could manage a response. “What? Why?”

“Consider it an exchange of sorts.” He shrugged. “My life, for yours.” He paused and his gaze leveled on hers, his gray eyes darkening. “And after last night, you as well as I are aware of the dangers inherent in assisting me. I will do all in my power to keep you safe, but someone is trying to kill me, and they don’t give a damn if their murderous course sacrifices anyone else. You need to be aware of the risks you are facing in your choice to assist me. It’s another reason why I’m willing to compensate you so generously.”

She blinked, those horrible moments in the coach before her world went black flashing before her. She pressed her hand to her temple, her thoughts spiraling. Reviewing her ill-fated gambling foray and her own perilous situation, she wondered if she would be exchanging one form of danger for another? Some risks were worth taking, but at what price? Toss in Kendall’s lethal smile and another danger assailed her. Her eyes snapped to his. “I can’t be seduced. I won’t be your mistress.”

His lips parted. For the first time in all of their confrontations,
she had caught him off guard. After an awkward silence, he collected himself. “I don’t believe I asked for that, but fair enough.” His eyes drifted over her, a teasing light in them. “Perhaps when we know each other better.”

Heat suffused her. She drew the covers to her neck, again unsure of this Kendall. His relaxed features, soft and amused, stirring something beneath her breast.

His expression once again became serious. “So, Miss Daniels, if that is your name, do we have a deal or not?”

She struggled to keep up with his quicksilver mood changes, but she recognized the gleam of challenge in his eyes. He held the advantage now, but she might surprise him. It was past time for her to do just that.

She lifted her chin, straightened up, and met his damn dare. She had risked much this past year and survived with little money and no protection. Kendall offered her both. She liked those odds—and she wanted his money. She had plans for it. “Yes, I’ll help you.”

Kendall’s smile returned, quick and sharp.

Alex caught her breath, cursing it and him as her words echoed back to her.

Some risks might be worth taking, but at what price?

G
ARRETT
noted the slim thrust of his adversary’s jaw and the determined glint in her eyes, and nearly shook his head. He hadn’t played her wrong. She had mettle all right, sharp as steel and strong.

For now he’d settle for her willing participation in his plans, for they coincided with his. He vowed to eventually pry Miss Daniels’s true identity from her. The enemy you know is better than the one you don’t. Or was the expression, keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Either way, he was keeping her.

“For your assistance in this investigation, I will reimburse you for your time as well as any expenses you may incur. You have my word that you will not be hurt again and will be under my protection. I expect…” At her frown and furrowed brows, his words tapered off. “What is it?”

“I don’t see how I can assist you further than I already have. I’ve told you everything I know.”

“Right now, you are the only link to these men and their murderous plot against me. You heard their voices and got a look at one of them. You might remember something more
about them, something distinctive about their voices, their walks, or an odd mannerism. The knock on your head also might have dislodged a detail you didn’t recall earlier. After suffering a trauma in battle, some men speak of seeing things. Their lives flashing before their eyes, so to speak. Maybe something will return to you that will help you recognize one of them or assist us in finding them. So I need you. If not,” he shrugged, “it’s a gamble I’m willing to take. Unlike you, Miss Daniels, I don’t wager what I can’t afford to lose.”

Her eyes narrowed at his reminder of her circumstance. “What about other risks?” she shot back. “What will your mistress have to say about this arrangement?”

The question both surprised and amused him. “You mean the mistress of this house? Whose castoff you protested wearing?”

She gave a curt nod.

He grinned at her mutinous expression. Too bad he had left his jacket on the bed. He would have liked to see the gown she wore. His sister had lovely clothes, and her nightgown would be no exception, something as sheer as silk. His eyes drifted over Daniels’s features. Blue fabric would enhance the shimmering pools of her eyes, but a rich, deep red would provide a brilliant contrast against her fair skin.

He jerked back, stepping away from the bed. Christ. Hours ago, he had believed her to be a man. He now knew otherwise, but that was all he knew about her. He needed to retreat before she further lowered his defenses and he pictured her naked.

He returned his attention to Daniels’s question. Kit, with her perverse sense of humor, would delight in being mistaken for a courtesan. “If you assist me in apprehending those wishing my neck in a noose, I’m certain you will win Kristen’s full blessing and support.” He crossed to the door, but paused and faced her, unable to resist a parting line. “After all, she loves me.”

A flush climbed up the slim column of Daniels’s neck and she dropped her eyes.

Discussing one’s mistress in mixed company was bad form, but Kit wasn’t his mistress and he’d spoken the truth. Besides, he had cradled Daniels in his arms, stood at her bedside, and his jacket cloaked her nearly nude body. They had long ago dispensed with formalities and proper etiquette. They would
have to draw up new rules in which to navigate their strange alliance.

However, for some reason, he wanted Daniels to know that while he might not be worthy of it, there were those who loved him. Not everyone wanted him dead.

“Why don’t you get some sleep? I need to tie up some business matters, and that will give you a day to rest and recover. I’ve arranged for a doctor to stop in to check on you, and Molly will see to any of your needs. We will depart tomorrow morning.” He turned to the door.

“Depart?” She cried, sitting up in the bed. “Where? Why?”

He faced her as he responded. “I want to leave London. It’s too dangerous here. I can’t guarantee the places I frequent aren’t being watched, as was my exit from Hammond’s. I have a manor house in Kent only a select few know about. We need to go to someplace safe where we can strategize a plan, and then we will return to catch the bastards. If our flight surprises you, the same surprise might keep us one step ahead of our adversaries. Molly said your clothes are in the wardrobe, but we’ll stop at your residence for you to collect more of your belongings.”

“Kent? Just the two of us? Alone?” Her voice rose, her fingers twisting in her sheets.

He raised a brow. “It is perfectly acceptable for two gentlemen to be traveling together unchaperoned,
Mr.
Daniels. With your disguise,
Miss
Daniels’s reputation is safeguarded. We’ll take advantage of it for another day. Though it’s a bit late to be worried about your reputation, considering you neglected to do so before you embarked on your charade.”

“You
are
right,” she retorted. “It was foolish and reckless of me to venture into the esteemed sanctuary of a gentlemen’s card room to lift a few quid from a bunch of supercilious imbeciles. Never mind that if they didn’t lose their money to me, they would have tossed it away on a fashionable cut of a new cravat, their current mistress, or a losing wager at Ascot. They do need deep pockets for such necessities.”

Her eyes blazed. “Perhaps I should have starved and let you be murdered. Then we’d both be dead and I wouldn’t have to worry about my reputation, which until you pay me, is now my only asset.”

There was that mettle again, a sharp sliver of steel with
which she stabbed him. She had good aim. Damned if he didn’t admire her for it.

He was unable to suppress the smile curving his lips. “My apologies, you are right. Far be it for you to starve. You should have robbed those fops blind. Had I known that was your plan, I would have assisted you.” He grinned at her expression. “Perhaps another time.”

She looked stunned by his capitulation. She didn’t believe he’d retreat while she was in full battle mode. After Balaclava, he’d learned the life-or-death lesson of when to fall back and when to recklessly charge forward.

“Do you think you can manage a trip tomorrow morning?” he asked.

She stared at him blankly, looking like a soldier braced for battle only to be informed there wasn’t one.