The Rake and The Rose (A Rake's Mistake) Read Online Free Page A

turning into blind rage and heartache. She had done nothing wrong!
     
    “Let me go, you pompous oafs! I didn’t do anything!” she finally said. She sank her teeth deeply into one of the magistrate's hands and he howled. Charlotte bolted when let go only to run straight into a large man’s chest and to get caught up in a much stronger grip.
     
    “Well, you are no fairy.” The man’s voice was deeper than she thought. 
     
    “No, I am not a fairy…or whatever you just called me. I was just leaving!” She looked frantically around and clutched the little sachet with her bread and mint tighter in her hand. The man’s eyes glanced at it and he glared at her. She felt woozy, and her scalp was bleeding again. She could feel the warmth trickle down her head.
     
    “Dirty beggar was in the kitchen Alexander.” Giselle’s teeth were bared in a sneer.
     
    Charlotte flinched at the hate in her tone. “I’m not a beggar,” she whispered. She saw the man's gaze scrutinize her slightly, but she also saw pity. What was he thinking? Pitying her did her no good at all! Her temper flared high but she was too weak to show it.
     
    Alexander looked at the waif before him, her dark eyes wide and frightened…no that was not fear like a rabbit caught in a trap. More like a wary but angry animal of which he had the nerve to pull it’s tail. The vein in her neck pounding with blood that was obviously racing through her veins and heart. Her hair color was indiscernible due to the dirt and grime, and her skin was caked with dust and grit as well. But, it looked smooth where it was clean.
     
    Her feet had been bandaged with linen.  He supposed it was either Francesca or Sophie -who were staring wide-eyed at them- that was responsible for it. This girl barely came to his shoulders and she had to crane her neck to see him. “What is your name, girl?”
     
    “Charlotte.” The locket on her neck slipped from her chemise and it glinted, she looked down at the long gold-chained cameo in horror, she had tried so hard to keep it hidden. The pearlescent cameo woman stared mockingly up at her from it’s dark blue backdrop. She gulped when his eyes lingered upon the trinket.
     
    “And where did someone from your…class, acquire that locket?” Alexander was perplexed, it looked to be made of gold and precious materials- how did a beggar get a hold of such an item?
     
    “It is mine…” she struggled again and his grip tightened on her upper arms. “Please…” Charlotte despised his look of suspicion, and felt tears burn the backs of her eyes.
     
    Giselle marched over and snatched the locket off her throat. “Give me that, it’s probably one of the girl’s.” The sting of the chain snapping made a stifled whimper reach her lips. She saw the man's reaction, his pupils dilating to where she could see the gaze sharpen with deadly edge.
     
    “No it’s mine! My name is on it!” She felt the tears nearly find their way forward, but she held them back. The man’s eyes were a deep green and they stared at her as if trying to figure her out.  
     
    “Give it to me Giselle.” When his Aunt paused, his voice dropped another octave that made her entire body tremble. “Give it here.”
     
    Giselle handed the cameo locket over. It was beautifully carved and he turned it over “To Charlotte, Love Mama” he eyed it and looked at her. “And you I presume are Charlotte?”
     
    “Please it’s all I have…I have to keep it or I won’t remember…” Her whisper reached his senses not just in tone, but also in a caress. She sounded warm and husky naturally. The sound vibrated in his ears and he clasped his hand around the locket.
     
    “I will investigate your tale and you will get it back when I am done. Understood?” 
     
    “Get it back?” she gulped and tugged from his grip again, but failed in being released. Charlotte’s nose filled with spices and leather when she was yanked closer.
     
    “Yes, get it back, I