Smuggler's Lair Read Online Free Page B

wife.”
    â€œ Is King George’s wife,” he corrected.
    â€œQueen Caroline has been dead for almost a century. This is the year of our lord, eighteen thirty-seven.”
    â€œ Seventeen thirty-seven, you ignorant wench.”
    If that is true, I am from a hundred years in your future, and you are from a hundred years in my past.
    â€œDon’t call me wench . My name is Victoria.”
    â€œA hideous name.”
    â€œI quite agree. I much prefer Tory.”
    â€œYou called me Peregrine when you came in. How did you know? It’s a name I detest; I changed it to Falcon years ago.”
    Falcon . . . what a lovely, romantic name. “It quite suits you, Lord Hawkhurst.”
    Her glance traveled from his frilled lawn shirt to his tight black breeches that did little to hide his masculine bulge. You are quite convinced you are a Georgian gentleman and you are certainly dressed like a Georgian. I wonder if this is a dream?
    â€œNow that we have dispensed with the formalities, confess what you’re really doing here.”
    â€œI’ve fallen in love with Bodiam Castle. I came to explore.”
    His bold stare was insolent. “You look quite fetching in those—”
    â€œDrawers.”
    His stare turned into a wicked leer. “I’m going to enjoy keeping you captive.”
    This isn’t a dream; it’s more like a fantasy. Perhaps I’ve conjured him from my imagination. Lord Hawkhurst . . . Falcon. . . finds me attractive. He thinks I’m a showy piece and wants to seduce me. Common sense came to her rescue. Stop it, Victoria . . . that’s just wishful thinking!
    He went to the door, opened it, and called, “Mr. Burke.”
    Tory, who had fully expected the leopard to rush in, let out a relieved breath. In a few moments a servant, wearing powdered wig and livery, entered the chamber. She saw him eye her drawers.
    â€œI didn’t know you had a guest, milord.”
    â€œSomeone the cat dragged in. By necessity, she’ll be staying a while. We’ll have dinner up here tonight, Mr. Burke.”
    Tory seized the opportunity. “Mr. Burke, my name is Victoria Carswell. Lord Hawkhurst thinks he can keep me captive here, but that is impossible. I live at the priory and I must return home. You can see it from the window—I’ll show you.”
    Victoria went to the north window of the tower and looked toward the town of Hawkhurst, but all she could see was forest. Her brows drew together. “I can’t see the priory, but you must know it. It’s on the edge of town, next to the parish church.”
    â€œLet’s humor her, Mr. Burke. Come up to the parapet, Tory; you’ll have an unimpeded view for miles.” Hawkhurst drew back a curtain, opened a door, and climbed steps that led to the tower roof. Tory and the servant followed him.
    She gazed out across the treetops, perplexed that no roads or buildings of the town were visible, not even the church spire. “Where is Hawkhurst?” she asked.
    â€œThe village is over there. You can just make out the Oak and Ivy, half a mile this side of the village.”
    â€œThe Oak and Ivy Inn? I read about that in my history book.” That’s where the smugglers used to meet. Tory walked to the crenellated wall and gazed out in every direction. “Good heavens, there’s a sailing ship moored in the river!”
    â€œIt’s mine,” Hawkhurst said matter-of-factly.
    Tory had read about Lord Hawkhurst’s ship. It was a two-masted brigantine capable of great speed, and she remembered its name.
    This cannot be happening. She reached out to the wall to steady herself. She felt the rough stone beneath her fingers and knew it was real. “What is the name of your ship?”
    â€œThe Seacock .”
    Tory’s hand went to her head and she felt herself slipping down into oblivion.

C HAPTER 3
    â€œWhere am I?” Tory felt strangely