«Runaway» by P Louise Jones

Runaway
Sophy is alone and in flight for her life.  It was vital she travel to London to her aunt, find her brother and see the family lawyer or her life would not be worth living. Her journey is fraught with danger from the outset when she is set upon by a murderous footpad intent on rape. Beautiful and resourceful, she takes a deadly risk but striking him with a rock, manages to escape.
Bloodied, bent on lust and revenge, he pursues her along a densely wooded path.
Exhausted and losing the battle to stay ahead of him, Sophie sees a clearing and the yard of a busy inn. However, when a dark figure looms from the shadows, her senses fail her.
A notorious rake, Dominic Carstairs, Marquess of Calverley, one of society’s most eligible bachelors is checking on his horses when a terrified young woman hurtles from the darkness. He finds his hands unexpectedly full when she faints in his arms. Stepping back into the darkness he lays her down while he awaits her pursuer. 
A vile, wretch stumbles into sight.  Blood is matting in his sparse hair and his ear almost unrecognisable. Dominic reveals a swordstick and is tempted to wipe the man off the face of the earth. Despite being attacked with knives, in order to preserve the lady’s reputation, he inflicts summary justice instead of a mortal wound and sends the man on his way. How could he know the twisted hand of fate would turn his act of mercy against him? He carries the lady into the private parlour of the inn where a friend, James Sydenham, is waiting.
Sophy remains unmoving on a sofa but is beginning to surface. While the gentlemen are talking, she steals a look around the room, uncertain of what to do she shuts her eyes again to think.
This deception does not go unnoticed. Angry at being taken for a fool, Dominic decides to play a game to force the lady’s hand. He suggests to James that the ‘lady’ might be willing to show her gratitude by sharing her favours! He makes the point by caressing her and waits for a reaction.
Instant fury! Sophy is beside herself, but unknowingly fuels a sensual fire and Calverley’s interest. He continues to taunt her. She dare not reveal her true identity the consequences would be dire. Swallowing her pride she decides to concoct a good story and invents her name — Sophy Markham.
However, unbeknownst to her, a challenge has been set, the game is on and there are no rules. As a rake, Calverley’s thoughts turn to dwell on the lady’s secrets and how he might enjoy revealing them. The decision is made to assist her by taking her to Farendon, the country seat of his uncle from whence they would escort her to London.
The family, appalled at Sophy’s ordeal welcomed her with open arms. Thereupon, Calverley begins his charm offensive. Sophy is confused by his skilled flirtation and realises she must beware. It would be too easy to fall under a carefully crafted spell.
During the house party she is overjoyed to come across her brother, Christopher Marchington, but, introduced as Miss Markham, she must swear him to secrecy. The Carstairs’ reputation within the unforgiving ‘ton’ would be irretrievably damaged by her presence if the truth became known.
Sophy convinces him of the desperate need to leave and they embark on a perilous journey in the dead of night and heavy snowstorm setting in motion a terrifying chain of events that risks both their lives.
Intrigued and bewitched by a pair of sea green eyes, stubborn chin and temper to match his own, Dominic is destined to be drawn into a tangled web of lies, revenge and murder, but his gut tells him the centre holds a vulnerable and melancholy heart. If only the lady would trust him with the truth.