Wicked Games (The Sun Never Sets Book 3) (18 page)

As the driver reined to a stop, she shot a curious glance at Jonathon. His expression was unusually grim as he watched a particular ship, the
Constantina
, raise its foresail in preparation to depart. The ship caught a mild gust of air and began its lumbering trek upriver. From the dock, a tall man in a conservative overcoat tipped his hat toward Jonathon, sending silent acknowledgement that some mutually desirable event had just transpired. Brianna could almost feel the tension leave Jonathon’s body.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, “Do you have a cargo aboard?”

He shook his head. “Not cargo precisely, but something I was particularly eager to dispatch.”

“I see.”

“No. I don’t think you do.” Smiling slightly, he caught her hand and brought it to her mouth, pressing a soft kiss against the back of her hand. “I owe you an explanation.”

“An explanation? For what?”

“For what I was doing in that alley that night in Liverpool. Why I didn’t tell you sooner that I was a viscount.”

Brianna studied him, worried at his somber tone. “I’m listening.”

He opened his mouth as if to begin, then stopped abruptly. He dragged a hand through his hair. “I don’t know how to tell you. I don’t want you to think less of me when you hear it.”

She gave his hand an encouraging squeeze. “You know how I love stories.”

“Stories?”

“Yes. Just make it a story.”

“All right. I can do that.” He thought for a moment, then nodded. “Once upon a time there was a very foolish, cocky man, who had a title he didn’t deserve and more money than sense—”

“Was he a viscount, this man?”

“As a matter of fact, he was.”

“And was he in some kind of trouble?”

“Yes. Although he didn’t understand that at first. A man and a woman he considered rather close to him were actually plotting to see him dead.”

Brianna sobered. “How awful.”

“True.” Jonathon sent the
Constantina
a last look. He gave the carriage door a firm rap and his driver put the team in motion. This time they moved at a slower, more leisurely pace. Snuggling Brianna against his chest, he continued, “But the viscount happened to be a lucky man. Exceedingly lucky. For you see, an angel was looking out for him.”

She tilted her face upward. “Truly. An angel?”

“Indeed. For on that dark night, in that seedy alleyway in Liverpool, he should have forfeited his life. Instead, his path crossed that of a stunningly beautiful woman who just happened to be armed with a brass bell.”

Brianna placed her hand on his chest, just over his heart. “I think,” she said slowly, “I know how this story ends.”

Dear Reader,

I hope you’ve enjoyed Brianna and Jonathon’s story. I love reading and writing historical romances, especially those that are based in London. Something about the rigid Victorian manners combined with steamy romantic scenes just makes me smile. I hope I’ve made you smile, too.

If you enjoyed
Wicked Games
, please consider leaving a positive review!  To an author, that makes all the difference.

Best wishes and Happy Reading,

Ava Archer Payne ♥