A Heart Revealed by Josi S. Kilpack Read Free Book Online Page A

glass. “I believe I am in need of Lady Ranbury’s allotted drink. My nerves are raw with all this complication.” He waved his hand through the air and made his way to the study where the food and drinks must be laid out while Thomas returned to the drawing room.
    When the set at one of the tables finished, Thomas joined the next round. The company could not be more pleasant, and he enjoyed himself almost enough to forget about a certain lady in the other room until he noticed Mr. Pembroke and Sir Crosby straighten in their chairs at the same moment Miss Ranbury lifted her chin. He did not need to turn toward the door to see the cause of the change as the honeyed voice of Amber Sterlington soon washed over him. Much to his dismay, his heart rate increased and the temperature in the room went up by degrees as he pulled his shoulders back and adjusted his position in the chair so he would not appear to be slouching. Blast that abominable woman!
    Thomas studied the cards he held. “Sir Crosby, I should like to trade for the miss,” he said, even though his hand was adequate.
    Miss Sterlington took a seat at the table behind him—far too close for him to attempt to be unaware of her.
    “Certainly,” Sir Crosby said as all eyes returned to the game. Thomas’s table continued through the round though he performed very poorly and then he excused himself from the next set, claiming to be in need of refreshment. He did not look at Miss Sterlington as he left the room to fortify himself with a glass of brandy and conversation with guests in the study.
    “Where are your parents this evening?” Thomas asked Fenton some time later, realizing that neither Lord nor Lady Chariton were in the study as he had expected. Fenton did not live in the London house, of course, instead staying in a very nice set of rooms far enough away to give him privacy. It was odd that he had been put in the position to host a party at his parents’ home when they were not even in attendance.
    Fenton rolled his eyes. “My father stayed for an hour before excusing himself for another engagement. Mother was not feeling well but stayed on until just before you came. I think London does not go well with her.” He frowned, reflecting the close affection he shared with his mother and his obvious concern for her health.
    Thomas shared his best wishes for her recovery while not commenting on Lord Chariton’s absence. It was ill-mannered for him to have left, but though Thomas found the man personable enough, Fenton made no attempt to show his father any tolerance, and therefore Thomas knew better than to make Lord Chariton the focus of the conversation. Instead, he changed the subject, asking after a visit to Tattersalls that Fenton had mentioned the previous week.
    Once enough time had passed for Thomas to regain his composure, the need to see Miss Sterlington took him back to the drawing room where he stood in the doorway, sipping his brandy while attempting a casual survey of the room. His eyes could not help but land on Miss Sterlington each time she spoke or laughed. Her voice drew him in like a net, further irritating him each time it did so.
    She had shown her character so poorly when she’d dismissed him that he had hoped his reaction to her would have adjusted accordingly. Obviously it was not enough to know she was highbrow, rude, and unpleasant. He stood behind her, out of her sight unless she looked to the doorway, but in full view of the back of her head and the graceful curve of her neck and shoulders. He was close enough to hear her voice and, perhaps, smell her perfume, though he couldn’t be sure it was hers.
    Her gown was quite lovely, just as Fenton had said. It was a muted shade of pink fitted high with fine lace along the collar and puffed sleeves. Pearls defined the bodice, which accentuated her womanly figure that drew far too much interest from the men in the room. She wore more daring necklines than most debutantes, and yet