A Compromised Lady by Elizabeth Rolls Read Free Book Online Page B

visit Hatchards. She might—
    Stare at Mr Richard Blakehurst strolling into the breakfast parlour as though he owned it! At this hour! Swallowing her tea with difficulty, she realised that his limp was far less noticeable these days, more a slight halt in the stride than a limp. The harsh lines pain had etched in his face made him look rather forbidding.
    Until he smiled his familiar crooked smile.
    Which he was doing now, the corners of his eyes creasing in the way she remembered. His whole face lightened. She remembered that too, Richard smiling at her as he clumsily partnered her in a country dance. But he’d always been just Richard. An extra brother. Someone dependable. A dear friend. She didn’t remember that she had ever thought of him as attractive…
    ‘Good morning, Thea,’ he said pleasantly.
    She found herself smiling back.
    Attractive? Surely not.
    Oh, yes, he was. Even more so as his smile deepened in response to her own.

    ‘Good morning,’ she returned, confused. ‘Er, Lady Arnsworth is not yet down, sir.’
    His brows rose. ‘Just as well,’ he said, strolling to the sideboard. ‘Or you would have to revive me with burnt feathers.’
    A giggle escaped her at the image, and with a perfectly straight face Richard added, ‘No proper lady leaves her bedchamber before noon, you know.’
    Laughter bubbled up. ‘Are you implying, sir—?’
    ‘That proper ladies bore me,’ he said, grinning. ‘That’s better. You should laugh more often. And stop calling me sir, Thea. It makes my teeth ache. Now, what have we here?’ He lifted the lid of one of the chafing dishes.
    She glared at him. ‘A trifle early for morning calls, is it not?’ she enquired. ‘Especially when your aunt is still abed.’ Better to ignore the implication that she didn’t laugh enough.
    He looked around, with a sudden frown. ‘She didn’t tell you?’
    ‘Tell me what?’
    The frown deepened. ‘This isn’t a morning call. I’m staying here too.’
    ‘What!’ Her teacup clattered into its saucer. ‘Why?’
    ‘Heiress hunting,’ he said blandly, carving some sirloin.
    ‘I beg your pardon?’ she said icily.
    ‘Absolved,’ he said promptly. ‘I’m sure you didn’t mean to be rude.’
    Her mouth twitched. She had forgotten his ability to turn the tables so neatly in any verbal sparring.
    He helped himself to mustard, sat down and smiled at her again. ‘Don’t blame me. Curse our mutual godmother.’ He took a mouthful.
    ‘But why are you staying here?’ she asked, refusing to return that annoyingly infectious smile.
    Smiles like that ought to be outlawed anyway!
    He finished his mouthful and said, ‘Because I have business in London and Almeria invited me.’
    ‘Oh.’ His business was none of her concern. ‘Then—’
    ‘I am not pursuing you,’ he growled. ‘And so you may tell your fire-eating brother! You could have twice the fortune and I wouldn’t be interested in it! I have a little more pride than that!’
    For a moment shocked silence hung between them.
    Shame burnt her cheeks, and deep inside, coldness spread, leaching through her, a slow poison welling up. She fought it down, forcing herself to seem untouched, unmoved.

    ‘I suppose I must thank you for making your sentiments so plain,’ she said stiffly. It didn’t matter.
    It didn’t! After all, she didn’t want him, or any man, to pursue her. The chill spread further. How had he known? Lady Arnsworth?
    Then—‘Oh, damn!’ said Richard. ‘I mean, I beg your pardon, Thea. That was not at all how I meant to put it. What I meant is that I am not on the catch for an heiress. Any heiress.
    Unfortunately for us, Almeria has other ideas.’
    Thea took a shaky breath. She had thought—for one dreadful eternal instant—that he knew. ‘I…
    very well…’ Then his remark about Lady Arnsworth’s plans crashed into her. ‘What do you mean, Lady Arnsworth has other ideas?’
    He looked at her in disbelief. ‘Thea—stop wool-gathering.