A Taste for Scandal by Erin Knightley Read Free Book Online Page A

“These are for you. Please accept my sincere apology for the misunderstanding this morning.”
    Sincere apology his arse. If not for the sweet, rich aroma of chocolate making his mouth water, he wouldn’t have been surprised if the bundle contained a coiled snake. “Arsenic laced biscuits, I presume?”
    “A baker never reveals her secret ingredients,” she replied with a straight face, looking him right in the eye. “However, I would never ruin a perfectly delicious chocolate biscuit.”
    Richard was caught off guard by her response and surprised himself by almost laughing. He had not expected a sense of humor from the shrew. “Well, that’s a relief.”
    Finally, Benedict chuckled. “Miss Bunting, I daresay you just redeemed yourself, if redemption was necessary.”
    Jane offered a brief smile to him before turning her attention back to Richard. “Please, my lord, you must realize it was all quite a shock for me this morning. I regret my thoughtless words, and I do hope you will forgive me. After all, your good opinion is so important to me.”
    Evie snorted and began to chuckle, putting her hand to her mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter when Richard glared at her. “Oh, I do believe I like you, Miss Bunting.” She glanced to the standing clock against the far wall and groaned, dropping her hands to her side. “I so wish we could have a chat, you and I, but I am afraid we haven’t the time just now. My mother’s ball is set to begin within the hour.”
    Jane’s cheeks bloomed with color, and she backed up a few steps toward the door. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize. It was very nice to meet you, Lady Evelyn and Mr. Hastings.” Her tone was so sweet when she spoke to his sister; she was like a completely different person. Then her eyes moved to Richard and she gave her head a perfunctory little dip. “Lord Raleigh.” Metal grinding against metal produced a more pleasing sound than the way she said his name.
    With that, she pulled open the door and escaped into the evening gloom. There was a moment of silence as all three of them stared at the door. Then Evie turned to him, placing her hands on her hips and narrowing her eyes. “Laced with arsenic ?”
    Richard couldn’t stop the devilish grin that came to his lips. “She had very pretty manners just now, but you did not see her shrieking like a savage to have me taken away. It was no more than she deserved.” And clearly she could handle herself. Perhaps he had been wrong about the little baker’s motives in coming here. She was rather . . . intriguing.
    “Since when has an apology issued in earnest ‘deserved’ a scathing comeback?”
    Richard headed for the stairs, motioning for them to follow. “It was but a prick to her pride, nothing more.” What was it about that woman that so thoroughly got beneath his skin? He never lost his composure around women like that. Hell, he was known for his ability to charm even the most disagreeable of females. One might even call it his one true talent.
    “I daresay Mama would beg to differ,” Evie replied, lifting her skirts as she started up the stairs.
    “I hardly think Mother would notice. She is but a shopkeeper, after all.” So why did it irk him so much that she didn’t like him?
    Evie stopped in her tracks, and Richard turned to see what was the matter. The look on Benedict’s face was a cross between amusement and horror, and he shook his head. “Now you’ve gone and done it. If you’ll excuse me, I think I will escape while the possibility still exists. I’ll see you upstairs, love,” he said, pressing a quick kiss to Evie’s lips before heading up the stairs two at a time. He paused only long enough to slap Richard on the back. “Good luck, my friend, you’re going to need it.”
    “But a shopkeeper?” Evie said slowly, enunciating each syllable.
    Ah, yes, he had momentarily forgotten her bluestocking tendencies, what with her confinement and the recent birth of her