Page 123 of By No Means a Gentleman
Harriet stared at her childhood friend at a loss for words. The man had gone mad. But she knew him well enough to understand no matter how much she screamed and scolded, he would not budge an inch. She also knew he had a good heart, despite whateverthiswas. In his mind, his intentions were good. In hers, she wanted to box his ears! So be it then. Let Leeds deal with him.See if I save your hide.
So infuriating! “I still don’t understand one thing.”
He arched a brow. “What is that?”
“Why the hell am I tied up?”
He laughed. “So I can be certain you don’t run away.”
Urgh. “Why are all the men in my life so impossible? And why would I run away? Wait, what did you mean this isn’tjustabout Leeds?” She was missing something.
“Just sit tight and relax.”
“Relax my arse! I’m tied up like a pig for slaughter.” She wanted to rub her temples from annoyance, but she couldn’t, which only annoyed hermore. “How exactly do you see this playing out? If the authorities get involved you might be arrested.”
“You would send me to jail?”
“I might not, but Leeds would have no qualms, I’m sure. You haven’t told me this brilliant plan of yours? Just what do you hope to accomplish today?”
He tossed the paper aside, dragged a chair opposite hers, and sat, elbows resting on his knees. “Trust me this once, will you? When have I ever let you down? As for how I see this playing out... your husband and your father will barge into the house,frantically calling your name. I might receive a punch or two, of course, but it shall be worth the family reunion, I think.”
Harriet’s breath stalled. “My father?”
Rohan nodded. “I sent some people to inform your father that you’ve been snatched up and where he should go to find you. He will collect Leeds, and they will both come rushing to your aid.”
Was he serious? “This is your plan? You are doing this because of myfather?” Her eyes widened even more. “Is this why I would run away?”
“Smart.”
Harriet fumed. “You are so sure your little scheme will unfold as you believe?”
“Granted, there are variables I cannot account for since it was a last-minute plan.”
“Spurred on by the gossip column?” she guessed.
“I saw an opportunity to help a friend,” Rohan said calmly.
“Untie me, Rohan.”
He sat back and crossed one leg over the other. “You remember the months that followed your father wedding his current wife?”
She scowled. “What about them?”
“You didn’t speak to your father for half a year.”
Her heart pinched. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“You were miserable in those months. Your father was miserable. You might have Leeds now, but I know how much this trouble with your father bothers you.”
Harriet recalled that time well. She and her father had only returned to speaking terms after... after this rascal before her tricked them both into the same carriage, switched out the driver, and set them to the countryside!
Lawd, she didn’t know how to feel about this. Back then, she hadn’t appreciated his methods either. But in the end she’d also been grateful to him. Mostly. This time, however, it wasn’t just her and her father involved.
There was also Leeds.
“Also,” he went on. “As a bonus, you can see how your husband fights for you once more.”
“Rohan Ingrid Graves,” Harriet hissed. “You shall rue this day.”
