And those shoulders! She licked her lips, fighting the urge to continue ogling him.
But there was something familiar…
“Was my father right? Does this have something to do with the Duke of Crossings?” From what she knew, her father and Crossings were both heavily invested in importing silks and spices from the east. And her brother…
“The only person allowed to ask questions is me.” His arrogance knew no bounds.
The highwayman turned away and, again, she couldn’t help but admire the sharp lines of his chin and jaw in profile. A gust of wind stirred his hair, and for an instant, he seemed almost carefree.
“Why take me instead of my father’s money?”
His gaze locked with hers and he licked his lips, drawing Amelia’s attention to his mouth. Full and red, not as red as his mask, but shining.
And inviting?
Of course not!
THE LADY
Caught for a moment by those sapphire eyes, Leopold marveled that he’d failed to remember how stunning she was. But only for a moment.
Her looks were irrelevant—although damned near impossible to ignore. That normally shining golden hair had darkened with the rain, though the damp strands still managed to hang prettily around her face. She flinched as a single droplet landed on her cheek.
Everything had gone according to his plan, and hopefully this storm wouldn’t slow them down too much. So far, the entire mission had gone off without a hitch.
He glanced up, displeased to see the already overcast sky darkening further. Where was that damned coach?
He’d chosen the perfect place to carry out the rescue, a desolate road only half a day’s drive from Foxbourne’s estate, and when Foxbourne’s carriage had turned the corner, he and his team had been swift in overtaking it.
Foxbourne had been in possession of a firearm, like most nobs, but he’d been easily relieved of it.
He’d expected more screeching from the man’s daughter.
More desperation.
More tears.
Instead, she stood tall, her shoulders back and chin high as she unapologetically studied him, even as the wind swirled around them and the rain picked up in intensity. Her strangely serene demeanor was, honestly, a tad unsettling.
She hadn’t swooned, nor was she wailing or complaining. But she was asking questions. Questions he wouldn’t answer until he was good and ready.
Leopold remained equally calm, not allowing himself to imagine what those yellow-gold strands of hair would feel like threaded between his fingers. He flexed his hand, made a fist, and then flexed it again.
Why take her instead of the money?Because the money didn’t matter.
But, according to Malum and Winterhope, according to all the Rotten Rakes,shedid.
“At least let me know where you are taking me.” She’d apparently given up on getting an answer to her first question, but still, she held his gaze steadily. With the way the dim light reflected in her eyes, they almost looked silver, like the scales of a fish flickering beneath the surface of a lake.
Damn it. She was utterly enchanting. Her cheeks were flushed pink from her brief time spent inverted over his shoulder; the color complemented her milk and honey complexion.
He had noticed her beauty from a distance, but he’d never heard her voice. And unlike the high-pitched, gushing sounds he’d heard from many young debutantes, Lady Amelia’s voice was low and velvety. It stirred unexpected heat in his core.
Leopold tightened his jaw.
“Somewhere safe.”
“For me or for you?” She was scowling now, and two lines appeared between her mesmerizing eyes.
