Reckless Rakes: Hayden Islington. Bronwyn Scott

workers simply sneaking off at night, he could be your best lead at the moment.”

      Jenna could fill in the rest of that equation. If she tipped her hand and let Davenport know she was on to him, he would pull back and they would lose access to whatever he might know. Or worse, he might attempt to silence her. But surely that was her imagination running away. Davenport wouldn’t seek to hurt her or her family. That was a bit extreme.

      “Alright.” she conceded with a sigh. “We’ll play it your way for now. But,” she let the caveat hang between them for a long moment. “If things get worse at the mill, I will not hesitate to reprimand him. Injustice should not go unpunished even when the greater good is at stake.”

      Hayden gave a wry grin. “You are entitled to your ideas, just remember principles don’t pay bills.”

      “You, sir, are a cynical font of wisdom.” But she couldn’t fight back a smile as she said it. He really was quite irresistible when he was being charming. Perhaps it was best to realize that upfront. It would make dealing with him easier, more predictable.

      “I wasn’t aware you were paying me to be idealistic.” He was flirting with her now. Such behavior was second nature to a man like him. Jenna supposed there was no harm in it as long as she understood what he was doing, and she did. This was his way of forgiving her. He believed she hadn’t known. It felt surprisingly good to know she was acquitted. Apparently, whatever Hayden Islington thought of her did matter.

      “I wasn’t paying you to kiss me either and that didn’t seem to stop you.” Perhaps she could flirt a little too as her way of saying she forgave him his accusations, just as long as she knew her limits.

      He grinned and her stomach flipped at the sight. His smile was so full of life, so full of mischief. Jenna turned her attention out the window before the banter could degenerate into something more provocative. Forewarned was forearmed but that didn’t stop her mind from conjuring images of long kisses, or hard chests or well-muscled legs. It was far safer to focus on his opinions and cynicism. They turned a corner and she furrowed her brow. “Where are we going?” Wherever it was, it wasn’t back to her house.

      “The stables. I have to see to my horse and we need to talk.”

      Jenna sat back, relaxing into the squabs with a nod. This was good. Stables were safe places — hardly the most flirtatious of venues with their horsey smells and straw everywhere, not to mention the ever present horse manure. He’d be busy doing something else besides looking at her. And the reference that they needed to talk implied he had a plan about how to proceed. Next steps were good. She could feel as if they were making progress. After what she’d seen today, there was more urgency than ever.

      Her spirits were lifting as they pulled into the stable yard. Hayden helped her down and kept a hand at her back as they navigated the stable yard with its slush and mud. Inside, the stable was warm, the expected smell of straw and horses cozy and inviting. Or was it the continued presence of his touch that made it seem that way? His hand had not left her since they’d arrived and while her mind flashed warnings that this was leading to something other than business, her body enjoyed the attention.

      They stopped before a stall halfway down the long aisle and a big bay came to the door, pushing his long face into Hayden’s chest. This was met with a chuckle and some momentary pocket fishing before Hayden produced a slice of apple from his greatcoat. “The big beast knows I always have a treat for him.” Hayden stroked the horse’s face. “This is Guerre, my horse. We’ve been through a lot together, haven’t we?” He gave a few exaggerated nods of his head and Guerre copied him, shaking his great face up and down until Hayden laughed and gave him another slice of apple. “You’re a good boy.”

      Jenna couldn’t help but laugh too, to see this grown man playing with a horse. There was no doubt great affection between the two of them and it did something warm to her insides to see it. A man who loved an animal so much couldn’t be all bad. Then again, maybe that was what he wanted her to think. It was certainly working despite all the warnings she gave herself. She had to stick to the basics. He was here to do a job, and he had a well-known reputation for womanizing. He’d already made one play for her with that kiss last night and countless innuendos.

      Jenna crossed her arms and leaned back against the stable wall. It was time to talk business and then leave. It was when they strayed from the business conversation that she got in trouble. She had to concentrate no matter what diversions he threw in her way. “Do you have a plan?”

      “Absolutely.” Hayden was still focused on stroking Guerre.

      She was going to have to drag it out of him. “Do you care to enlighten me?”

      He flashed her a grin, his hand halting on Guerre’s nose. She had all of his attention now. His eyes traveled the length of her in a slow perusal that left her warm as he drawled the words, “I have a plan and it starts with seducing you.”

      She raised an eyebrow in cool consideration. “And where does it end, may I ask?” He was going to have to do better than that if he thought to startle her.

      He leaned against the stable door, making her conscious of just how little space there was between them, his eyes lingering ever so briefly on her mouth. His voice was low and private. She was going to have to re-think the whole premise that stables were safe places. “Wherever you want it to, princess. Haylofts, carriages, bedrooms. You decide.”

      Her mouth went dry. He meant it. That was his plan. She gave voice to the one thought running through her mind. “Oh my lord, you’re serious.”

      He gave a wicked grin. “I’m always serious about seduction.”

       Chapter Six

      “It’s the ideal solution for inserting me into your sphere of influence.” Hayden paced the short length of the stall door, make an effort not to smile. It was too much fun teasing her, just to get a reaction to his audacious statements. He never knew what he would get in return; a heated scold that made her eyes flash, or a cool, raised eyebrow and a taste of his own audacity thrown back in his face. If it starts with seduction, where does it end? It was a delicious comeback worthy of London’s finest courtesans.

      “This way, if I’m viewed as your love interest I have a reason to follow you around and go to the mill. After today, it’s clear I cannot simply walk in and introduce myself as an investigator. I could if the foreman was our ally, but his behavior suggests otherwise. If I tell him I’m an investigator, I won’t get any information out of him.”

      She raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Do you really think he’ll be more forthcoming with someone who professes feelings for me? Wouldn’t that person feel protective? Wouldn’t they want to defend me against any perceived harms?”

      “Not necessarily if that person was moving on. I won’t be here long. I doubt he’d view me, a nomadic ice racer, as much of a threat.” Hayden gave her considering look. “Unless he fancies you for himself?”