Angelina by Janet Woods Read Free Book Online

concede they were anything more than peculiar.
    Only a woman should have such dark and sweeping lashes, she thought a little scornfully, and his smile? His slow beautiful smile became wearily enigmatic when she didn’t respond to it.
    “I seem to be losing my touch.”  
    Surprisingly, the Earl took her hand and bore it to his lips, whispering in a sardonic tone. “Lady Angelina Wrey, you are fairer than the angels.”
    Discomforted, she blushed and jerked her hand away.
    “Behave yourself, Rafe.” Her arm was drawn protectively through her brother’s. “Angelina has never been introduced into society, and is not used to such attention.”
    She was subjected to another uncomfortable scrutiny from the deckled green eyes. This time the Earl’s smile was a little less practised. One dark eyebrow lifted a fraction. “Of course she hasn’t. Angelina is a mere child.”
    “I most certainly am not!” She glared at this insulting stranger. “I’m almost eighteen.”
    The man had the effrontery to wink at James. “Heaven protect me from her wrath. The infant is nearly an old maid.”  
    “I would be obliged if you kept a civil head in your tongue, My Lord.” Having learned from Lady Alexandra that rudeness must be firmly stamped on Angelina took a determined step forward. “You will apologise for being so...so forward, sir. And from now on you will treat me with respect.” 
    “Rafe is teasing,” James said, trying not to laugh when an expression of incredulity flitted across his friend’s face. He’d never Rafe so completely routed before. “Lord Lynnbury is an old friend who considers the taking of liberties his right. His sister Celine has been kind enough to agree to act as a chaperone and companion to you.”
    “That does not give Lord Lynnbury the right to be overfamiliar.” Indignant green eyes met his.
    “Come, come,” James chided, aiming an apologetic glance at Rafe. “You mustn’t presume to teach the earl manners.” 
    Reminded of her place, Angelina’s eyes widened with shock.
    “You mustn’t chastise Angelina for what is my fault.” The deckled eyes became slightly less teasing. “I most humbly beg your pardon, Lady Angelina. I beg you to forgive my impertinence?”
    Angelina’s blush started at her toes and worked its way up her body. She’d never forgive him for making her blush. Already incredibly hot in the black dress, a trickle of perspiration edged its way between her shoulder blades and set up an itch. She nodded, uncomfortable with the encounter, then turned her suspiciously glowing face towards James and pleaded.
       “Can we return to the house, James?  I’m weary, and would like to rest before meeting Lord Lynnbury’s sister.”  
    Though the walk to the house was not far, it seemed interminable to Angelina. Lord Lynnbury’s sophisticated worldliness made her aware of her inadequacies and pinpointed her lack of feminine attributes. She, who’d often been chided for her chattering, suddenly found herself tongue-tied.
    As soon as they reached the house she made her excuses, fleeing upstairs to the safety of her room. There, she pressed her over-heated face against the cool glass and stared out over the grounds of her inheritance.
       Angelina knew she’d been rude in not staying to be introduced to the Earl’s sister. Aunt Alexandra would have been furious at her lack of manners. But being taught manners was one thing, and putting them into practice when the recipient didn’t react in the way he was supposed to, was something different all together.
    Aunt Alexandra had not taught her to deal with that. It was something learned from interacting in a social sense, and that she’d not been encouraged to do. It was skill she’d have to master if she were to be mistress of her own estate. Aunt Alexandra was dead and her life would never be the same again. Apprehension shivered along her spine. What would become of her? 
    You will face up to that which life