Wild Roses Read Online Free

hell. I was quite certain I could feel the devil’s hot breath upon my cheek. I could even smell its foulness.”
    Harrigan clasped his hands over his stomach, sternly resisting the urge to cup a hand over his mouth, breathe into it, and test the freshness of his breath. He knew she was referring to him, to the way he had been leaning so close to her as he had prepared to nudge her awake. For a moment he had lingered in that position, struck by the sweetness of her expression. He had been strongly drawn to the fullness of her mouth and the way her lips had been faintly parted in innocent invitation. He had even found the length and thickness of her dark lashes of intense interest. It was a little embarrassing to have been caught in his observation, but he would never give her the satisfaction of knowing that.
    â€œI am pleased that you have calmed yourself, have realized that it was only a dream.”
    â€œWas it?”
    â€œYou are hardly in hell, Miss Carson. You greatly exaggerate your situation.”
    â€œYou, sir, know nothing about my situation.”
    â€œI know all I need to know.”
    â€œYou know only the lies my conniving relations have told you.”
    â€œAnd you are the sole voice of truth, are you?”
    His sarcastic tone enraged her, but Ella fought to control that emotion. Screaming insults at the man would do little to aid her cause. It would probably just confirm every lie her relatives had told him. A calm, steady repetition of the truth was what was needed. There was the chance that, if she said the truth often enough, and firmly enough, the man might at least begin to question the tale he had been told.
    â€œYes, I am, at least concerning this matter,” she said, pleased at how polite and at ease she sounded. “My relatives in Philadelphia no doubt told you that I am some wild, spoiled child who ran away from her loving family and all of her obligations, a foolish girl who makes up tales of dangers and threats.”
    Harrigan swallowed a brief surge of unease over how precisely she had guessed what he had been told. Her family had said that she often tried to flee so it was possible that she knew exactly what they said about her. They had probably even said it to her face. They had also told him that she was very clever.
    â€œMore or less,” he murmured, watching her closely for some sign that she was lying or was one of those sad people prone to delusions. ”I am sure you have heard it all before.”
    â€œYes. They have made it their business to tell that story to all who will sit still long enough to hear it. I fear I lacked the wit and the guile to ingratiate myself with the people of power and high standing in Philadelphia, so I suspect that many were more than willing to believe such a tale.” She idly twisted the manacle encircling her wrist. “Therefore, I suppose I cannot blame you for believing it. Everyone you must have spoken to before accepting this appalling job must have readily confirmed that story.”
    Harrigan subtlely glanced at George, who avoided his gaze, concentrating instead on smoothing down some imaginary wrinkles in his black waistcoat. George had repeatedly suggested that they investigate the Carson’s claims before taking the job on, but Harrigan had always shrugged that good advice aside. He knew his own prejudices against the rich made him susceptible to believing any tale of their stupidity or rash, unthinking actions. He did not want to think that the Carsons may well have used that prejudice against him. Nor did he want an encroaching sense of guilt to make him believe anything the dangerously alluring Ella Carson chose to tell him.
    â€œJust because everyone believes something does not mean it is the truth,” she continued, glancing at him and wondering why there was no expression on his face. It was as if he was making a real effort to conceal his thoughts from her.
    â€œJust as it can mean that