was going to get herself out of this situation, but she was determined she would use her mind rather than her body. As she nodded at him, she was acutely aware of his proximity, of his weight on the bed next to her, and couldn’t resist the risk of appraising him from underneath her eyelashes. He really was a magnificent figure of a man. His lawn shirt and boots were finer than she would expect to see on such a rogue, and he was well spoken and clean shaven. She was reminded again of the ‘gentleman highwaymen’ she had heard tell of. Men with fine dress and impeccable manners who were courteous to their victims unless provoked. Maybe he was one such. Not that it made his profession any less abhorrent. But then, she thought as she sipped her gin, what would polite society say about hers? The ladies of Covent Garden were hardly held in any esteem, no matter how fashionable their dress. Perhaps she should not be so quick to judge this strange man, but she wasn’t fool enough to believe his intentions were honourable.
‘Yes,’ she said in a matter-of-fact way, ‘a new patron.’ She neglected to say ‘first’. It was no business of his, and if he did plan on seducing her, she had no way of knowing if her virginity would dampen his desire or enflame it.
A glimmer of something that almost looked like disappointment flickered in his dark eyes. He had not been so sure of her then. Juliana decided to be forthright. She had done enough swooning like a silly chit for one night, and doubted he would be the type of man to be moved by tears or pleading.
‘Why am I here, sir, and for what purpose?’
He looked surprised, then approving. ‘As I said, madam, I could hardly in conscience leave you alone on the road, unconscious. I did not know if you had merely fainted or were perhaps ill. As it was my fault for startling you...’
‘Startling me?’ Juliana erupted, the gin and indignation making her brave. ‘You held up my coach! With a pistol! You have robbed me. And now you expect me to believe you are a man of any conscience?’
She was amazed to see he looked almost ashamed. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
‘You are right,’ he admitted, ‘I cannot expect you to believe that. But I mean you no harm. My intention was to relieve you of your purse only.’ As if to prove his point he removed his mask, tossing it to one side carelessly.
Juliana snorted, averting her eyes. He was even more attractive without the covering. His eyes were dark and long lashed, and full of secrets she could only guess at. Nevertheless, she must not betray her attraction to him.
‘Relieve me, you mean steal from me.’ Not that there had been a great deal in it; enough to play a few games of whist with Lord Salter. She eyed the highwayman with suspicion. ‘Did you use my purse to pay for this room?’
He had the grace to look embarrassed. ‘I did. I had no other funds to hand.’
‘Clearly not a good night for you then. Perhaps tomorrow night you will have the luck to hold up a stagecoach with more wealthy travellers than myself!’
He stood up abruptly, looking angry now, and Juliana shrank back. His presence was commanding; she could tell he was used to being obeyed, and she was suddenly frightened of his reaction to her furious words. But he turned away, stalking to the door and looking back at her with a face devoid of emotion.
‘I will fetch refreshments. You are of course, free to leave, though I would warn you it is very late. If you can stand my company until the morning, I will see that you get to wherever you need to go safely. I will not harm you. You have my word...for whatever that is worth.’
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