Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Without responding, Phillip walked out and waited for his mount to be brought back.
“Thanks, kid.”
He flipped him another coin. It wasn’t going to hurt his coffers any but could mean so much to him. A brilliant grin shone from the darker-skinned child before he touched an imaginary hat.
Hands on the reins, he spun back to the boy. “Kid.”
“Yes, my lord?”
He bent closer to the kid. “Do you know Fyre?”
A vigorous nod was his response.
“Good. Where is she right now?”
“I can show you.”
Phillip grinned. “Okay, lead the way. Do you have a name, kid?”
“James.”
“Strong name. Get a move on now.”
Leading his horse as he trailed the boy who was moving fast down the street, he stopped and swung up in the saddle to more easily keep an eye on him. When the child stopped before a mercantile shop, he dismounted.
“There?”
“Yes, milord.”
“Want to make some extra money?”
That head bobbed so fast Phillip almost smiled.
“I need you to keep an eye on her if I am not with her.”
The eagerness faded and worry filled his expression, accompanied by suspicion.
Phillip held out his hand, paused for a moment, then settled it on James’ shoulder. “Listen, James. I think she may be in danger and I am only trying to keep her safe.”
“Her brother thinks so too, ever since she moved out on her own.”
His heart stuttered. She was living on her own?
“You know where her new place is?”
“No. I can find out though.”
“Good. This is between us only, no one else. If they ask, tell them you are working for me and if they have questions, to come to me.”
“I have a job? With you?”
It was a struggle for Phillip not to smile at his enthusiasm. “Yes. I will pay you every day, okay?” The boy’s grin was blinding. “Do you know where my estate is?”
“Yes, milord.”
“Any sign of trouble for her, or you, head there. Do you understand?”
He nodded. “I have to go back to my other job now. I will see you tomorrow.”
James vanished in a flash.
Tying his horse off, Phillip walked up to the door and entered the mercantile. There were so many different items on the shelves he slowed to look at them all.
“May I help you?”
Lord, just the sound of her voice had his breeches tightening.
He watched her walk out of the back, eyes widening as she realized who he was. She recovered quickly though. A small curtsey.
“Lord Edais.”
“Afternoon, Fyre.”
Her eyes adopted a softer look at the use of that name.
“Is there something I can assist you with, my lord?”
God, he longed to kiss her. Just pull her right into his arms and indulge.
“I am looking for some children’s toys. I have not sent my nieces and nephews gifts in a while.”
The suspicion in her gaze didn’t vanish completely but it faded. She walked around the corner of the counter and his eyes snapped to the faded blue muslin of her dress as it clung to her. A simple cloth covered her head, protecting part of her hair.
“We have toys in this section over here.”
As he followed her, he adjusted his hardness, even while his gaze locked on her ass.
This was foolish. I do not know if I can control my urge to touch her.
Not that it mattered. The moment he’d seen her again, he’d known he wouldn’t leave until he’d spent as much time with her as he could.
He is here. Again. Why is he here?
Fyre gestured once more to the section he’d asked her about. Then she stepped back, needing to get to her other tasks. Away from this man.
She didn’t want to. Fyre longed to stay by him. There was something about him that called to her. But she wasn’t a fool, she knew that this man could not just hurt her on an emotional level, he could also ruin her.
A woman of her station in life had no reason to be thinking she could ever mean anything to a man who carried a title. Hell, most men thought women were beneath them anyway, why would this one be any different?
And yet, she couldn’t help thinking he was by the way he treated her.
As well as the way he looks at me.
She enjoyed those nearly hidden looks of heated passion.
However, she hadn’t grown up where she had without knowing how to keep herself safe, so she backed away, even though she had no desire to do so.
“If you have any questions, Lord Edais, please let me know.”
She bit the inside of her lower lip as she left him there to look for gifts for a niece and nephew. Straightening up on the other side of the mercantile, she returned to the counter when another person came in.
This time it was Mrs. Collier. Not the most pleasant woman in the world. She had definite opinions on where people like Fyre should be.