A Daring Passion

The dark eyes widened in disbelief. Clearly, she had never considered the possibility that her father was anything but the altruistic champion that she imagined him to be.

“That is ridiculous.”

Philippe gave a lift of his brow. “Is it? Can you tell me that he does not fully enjoy his role as the local Robin Hood? That he does not take pleasure in being the beloved savior of his neighbors? That he does not linger at the local inn while the people boast of his bravery?”

Her gaze dropped at his charge, but there was a mulish set to her features. She was nothing if not loyal. A character trait he greatly admired upon most occasions. At the moment, however, he struggled not to shake some sense into her.

“My father cares about others.”

“Perhaps that is how it all began, but he would never have continued once you were put in danger if it were not for his own vanity.”

She slowly lifted her head, her dark eyes wary. “Whatever my father’s reasons, they are considerably more noble than a man who kidnaps a proper maiden and holds her against her will.”

Philippe smiled wryly. “Cast me as the villain if you must, Raine. But you belong to me now. And unlike your father, I know how to take care of my own.”

THE INN THAT WAS SITUATED on Kings Road in Dover was small but scrupulously clean and possessed an unmistakable charm. Built in the oldest part of town, the inn had a fine view of the church of St. James and the beautiful white cliffs. It was also tucked close enough to Market Place that the narrow streets clattered with the sounds of heavy traffic at an indecently early hour.

With a groan Raine pulled the covers over her head. It had been the middle of the night when they had arrived at the inn and Raine had been so exhausted that she had not even bothered to protest when Philippe had led her up the narrow flight of stairs to her chambers.

Why waste her efforts on a losing battle? For the moment he held the upper hand and they both knew it.

She would do anything to protect her father.

Even allow herself to be kidnapped and hauled off to France by an arrogant lecher.

With a heavy sigh at the realization she would never get back to sleep with the noise outside her window, Raine tossed aside her covers and sat at the edge of the mattress.

Astonishingly she was alone in the room.

A few hours before Philippe had escorted her to the door and, after ensuring the room was clean and the windows properly bolted, had moved through the connecting door to his own chambers.

Raine had fully expected the man to insist on sharing her bed. He had, after all, made it clear that he wanted her as his mistress. And if she were perfectly honest with herself, she could not deny that during their brief kiss she had done little to convince him that she would be unwilling.

Damn the man. He was determined to destroy her life, and yet for the briefest moment when she had realized who it was standing next to that broken-down carriage, she had felt more than shock or even fear. She had felt…joy.

And to make matters worse, he had only to pull her into his arms and she had melted like one of those simpering misses she had always detested.

If he truly set out to seduce her, how could she possibly resist?

Her gaze shifted toward the connecting door that was thankfully shut tight. She was uncertain why Philippe had left her alone in her bed, but he must have a reason.

Some devious reason.

Lost in thought, Raine gave a small squeak when there was a sudden knock on the door leading to the outer hall.

Scrambling from the bed, she wrapped Philippe’s heavy cloak about her and futilely attempted to smooth her tangled curls. For the moment she had only her shift, her breeches and a pair of old boots to her name.

She smiled wryly as she headed for the door. Perhaps Philippe had an entire wardrobe of female clothing stashed in his carriage.

He seemed to possess everything else.

Pausing at the door, she leaned against the thick wood. “Who is it?”

“Mattie,” a voice called. “I have yer breakfast.”

Raine’s stomach growled at the mere mention of food, and with swift motions she had the lock pulled back and the door opened.

The plump maid with a round face and thick knot of fuzzy brown curls entered the room carrying a heavy tray.