A Reckless Promise by Kasey Michaels Read Free Book Online Page B

said. He didn’t goad her, as he’d done at the cottage, because he was a mean man, but because she hadn’t had sufficient time to produce a more convincing story, and he had seen straight through her.
    Not to the lies themselves, thank goodness, but to the fact she was telling them.
    She’d actually believed herself to be on relatively solid ground until he’d asked her why he should believe her as to Marley’s identity, her own identity. He’d certainly had every right to ask the question, but she hadn’t been prepared to have her word doubted. She had proof, certainly she did, but to show it to him would open the door to everything else.
    â€œThere you are, Sadie. He’s downstairs. Don’t forget your new cloak and bonnet. And just you wait until you see what he’s brought with him!”
    Sadie snapped out of her uncomfortable reverie, surreptitiously wiped at her damp cheeks and unfolded herself from the window seat overlooking the mews. Smoothing down the same light blue morning gown she’d worn the first time she’d met the viscount, she looked at Clarice, who was all but hopping from one foot to the other, apparently in some anticipation.
    What a lovable creature she was, and lovely into the bargain, from her blond curls to her saucer-size blue eyes, to her...interestingly curved figure. But it was her open and carefree nature that made Sadie feel so comfortable around her, and she knew she had found a friend.
    Clarice Goodfellow viewed most everything to be either delicious or wonderfully exciting and worthy of exclamations—be it the materials the ladies had picked for Sadie’s and Marley’s new wardrobes or the fact that the Cranbrook chef had prepared sugared berries for dessert.
    â€œMy goodness, Clarice, did the man bring a pony with him, or perhaps a monkey on a chain?”
    Her new friend looked crestfallen for a moment. “No, neither of those.” Just as quickly, she brightened once more. “But very nearly as wonderful.”
    Sadie patted at her hair as she did a quick inventory of her appearance in the mirror—she must have looked into the mirror more often since arriving at the cottage than she had done in her entire life—picked up her borrowed cloak and bonnet and followed Clarice out into the hallway. “Then we must settle for very nearly as wonderful. I will do my utmost to hide my disappointment.”
    â€œOh, he didn’t bring anything for you , silly. He brought it for Marley.”
    Sadie found herself tipping her head slightly and smiling. The viscount had brought a gift—a very nearly as wonderful as a pony or a monkey gift—for his new ward? Wasn’t that sweet. And thoughtful. Perhaps she’d been judging him too harshly, and he was more delighted to have a ward thrust upon him than he was interested in asking questions.
    No, she doubted that. He had probably brought the gift just so that she would relax, feel in charity with him, and then he’d start in on the questions once more.
    Oh, he was a tricky sort. And not above using Marley to get to her, soothe her into lowering her guard, even liking him. She’d thought he’d assign the ladies the mission of asking penetrating questions, assuming she would tell women things she would not tell him. They’d gathered around like mother hens over Marley, and taken Sadie into their circle without a blink. She had never much cared for the company of women, truth be told, but these ladies were so open, so sincere and definitely unique that Sadie probably would have confided in them if they’d asked.
    Yet none of them had, not in five whole days.
    â€œYou’ve been lulled into feeling comfortable, Sadie Grace. This unexpected gift to Marley is probably the man’s coup de grâce, and he’ll expect you to spout the truth now like a garden fountain.”
    â€œYou said something, Sadie?” Clarice asked from