Lost Lady Read Online Free Page A

I’m sure that he’ll….” Understand? Travis thought.
    â€œMy father is dead,” Regan said.
    â€œThen I’ll take you to your guardian.”
    â€œNo!” Regan blurted. How could she return to her uncle like this, with this great American confessing what they’d done together? “If you would get me something to wear, I will leave you. You needn’t bother about taking me anywhere.”
    Travis seemed to consider this for a moment. “Why were you running around the docks in the middle of the night? Unless I miss my guess, a child like you”—he smiled at her look—“pardon me, a young lady like you has probably never even seen the docks before.”
    Regan tilted her chin upward. “What I have or have not seen is no concern of yours. All I ask of you is a dress, something simple if you can afford it, and I will leave immediately.”
    Again Travis smiled. “I can probably manage a dress. But I’ll not release you into that pack of animals out there. You know what happened to you last night.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “And what worse could happen to me than what you did last night?” She buried her face in her hands. “Who would want me now? You’ve ruined me.”
    Sitting beside her, Travis pulled her hands away. “Any man would want you, sweetheart. You’re the most delightful bit—.” He cut himself off.
    Regan wasn’t sure she knew what he meant, but she had an idea. “Why, you vulgar Colonial! You are as savage as I’ve heard. You pull ladies off the street and drag them to your room where you do”—she sputtered—“horrible things to them.”
    â€œNow wait just a minute! If I remember correctly, you came flying at me from out of the dark last night, and when I tried to help you up, you practically leaped into my arms. That’s not the action of anyone I’d consider a lady. And as for last night, you didn’t think what I did was so horrible when you were pulling my hair and running your feet up and down my legs.”
    Dropping her jaw in sheer horror at his words, Regan could only blink at him.
    â€œLook, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say anything to shock you, but I want you to get your facts straight. Had I known you were a virgin and not a street girl, I wouldn’t have touched you. But we can’t change the facts. I did touch you, and now you’re my responsibility.”
    â€œI…most certainly am not your responsibility. I assure you I can take care of myself.”
    â€œLike you did last night?” he asked, lifting one eyebrow. “It’s a good thing you ran into me, or there’s no telling what could have happened to you.”
    Moments passed before Regan could speak. “Is there no end to your arrogance or your insufferability? There was nothing good in meeting you, and I now know I was better off on the streets than locked away with a mad, despicable ravisher of women such as you are, sir!”
    The corners of Travis’s eyes crinkled as he broke into a dazzling smile. Running his hand through his dark hair, he chuckled, “My, my. I believe I’ve been cursed by an English lady.” As his eyes roamed over her bare shoulders, he smiled at her. “You know, I rather think I like you.”
    â€œBut I do not care for you,” Regan said, exasperated at his ignorance and lack of understanding.
    â€œLet me introduce myself. I am Travis Stanford from Virginia, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance.” He held out his hand to her.
    Crossing her arms over her chest, Regan looked away. Perhaps if she ignored him and was rude to him, he would allow her to go.
    â€œAll right,” Travis said, rising. “Have it your way, but we will get something straight between us. I am not going to release you onto the Liverpool docks by yourself. Either you tell me where you live and who