To Dare a Rogue - Lana Williams (novels for beginners TXT) 📗

her fanciful thoughts. Her nerves about the adventure ahead were getting the better of her.

Just when she was beginning to wonder if she had the meeting location wrong, the jingle of a horse’s harness caught her notice. She moved out of her hiding spot as a carriage rolled into view. With a relieved breath, she recognized James’ carriage. She waited for assistance, only to berate herself. The footman was not going to hop down to assist her to alight since she was dressed as a man.

Charlotte reached for the door and opened it to peer inside. Sure enough, James sat slumped in the corner, his posture less than welcoming. “This is your last chance to change your mind.”

She hoisted herself inside and settled onto the opposite bench. “Why would I do that?” she asked with a teasing smile.

He didn't return the smile, only glaring at her as he stared at her attire. “This is a terrible idea.”

“I believe you said that already.” She wished he would be more optimistic. Her nerves were bad enough as it was. “Try to think of this as fun,” she suggested.

He scoffed. “All I can think about is what will happen if we're caught.”

“I won't be. We won’t be.” She reached out to pat his knee. “As I already mentioned, we will take every precaution.”

“If we were doing that we wouldn't be going.”

She shrugged. “If I am found out, I promise not to mention your name. Does that make you feel better?”

“Not in the least.” He shook his head then straightened to lean toward you. “You will remain at my side at all times. You will not say one word.”

She nodded, hoping her agreement would improve his mood.

The carriage turned a corner rather sharply, forcing her to reach for his leg to brace herself. If she weren't careful, she would end up in his lap. The very idea sent a shiver of anticipation through her.

James assisted her to regain her seat, his hands warm on her arms. “If anyone asks who you are, I will say you are a distant cousin from the country. Understood?”

She nodded again, waiting to hear his other instructions because she knew he would have more.

“If there is any trouble you will walk immediately toward the door. Do not wait for me. I will join you when I'm able.”

“What sort of trouble would that be?” She couldn’t imagine leaving without him.

“If anyone realizes you're a woman there will be hell to pay.”

The idea of him getting into a fight because of her caused her stomach to sink. She didn't want to cause him problems or place him in harm’s way.

Surely, he was exaggerating. She didn't think anyone would notice her. Her clothes were unremarkable. Her hat sat low on her forehead and, if she kept her eyes down, no one would see her features. While she was shorter than most men, including James, that didn't mean she looked like a boy. At least, she hoped she didn’t.

“We're going to walk inside, pause, then if all is well, we will walk slowly around the room, watch a hand or two of cards, and then we will leave. Is that clear?”

“Yes,” she said, almost breathless at the idea of what they were about to do. She couldn't wait to tell Margaret every detail. In truth, his orders would give her more of an opportunity than she’d hoped for. She’d feared he would only allow her to glance inside and leave. He was being generous, but she had no intention of pointing that out for fear he’d change his mind.

The carriage turned another corner and soon drew to a halt. She shifted to the edge of her seat only to have James hold up his hand, palm out to halt her.

“I will go first to make certain all is well.”

“What could possibly be wrong on the street?”

“If your brother is entering the establishment when we do that will cause a problem.” He gave her a pointed glare. “Do I need to name other possibilities?”

However, she didn't take offense at his irritated tone. She knew it had more to do with being worried over her than anger. Her brother acted much the same way.

She pressed her lips tight and nodded. From this moment on she needed to bite her tongue. Any comments or questions would have to wait until they were alone again.

James alighted from the carriage and looked both ways before gesturing for her to follow. He walked ahead of her and once again she realized how accustomed she had become to good manners. He didn't wait for her or offer his arm. Perhaps there were disadvantages to being a man after all. She rather liked such gestures. She hurried forward to catch up with him.

“Shoulders back and lengthen your stride.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as they walked along the pavement.

“Is that better?”

His only answer was a growl.

She did her best to match the way he walked, but the breeches pulled against her bottom in the oddest way.

He reached for the door and stepped inside, leaving her to hold it for herself.

“Good evening, my lord,” an attendant said from his post.

“Evening,” James replied as he continued forward.

She nodded at the attendant, careful to angle her hat so not too much of her face could be seen.

James reached another door and opened it to reveal a bar. Tables and chairs filled much of the room, only a few of them occupied, and a long, gleaming dark wood bar lined one wall. James strode toward the bar and nodded at the bartender. “Two whiskeys.”

The bartender nodded and moved away to fill the order.

Charlotte looked forward to the drink, hoping it would settle her nerves and help her to act more naturally and less suspicious. The mirrored glass behind the bar reflected the room, allowing her to study the area without being too obvious.

The bartender placed the drinks before them and Charlotte reached for hers only to pause when James