Bedding The Baron by Alexandra Ivy Read Free Book Online

paneled walls that stole his momentary sense of homecoming.
    With loving devotion, the passing years had been captured upon canvas, revealing the alterations in Simon as he had grown from a chubby, blond-haired boy into a rotund man with a florid face and peevish expression. He looked more like a butcher than a nobleman, Fredrick thought as he strolled past the gilt frames, but that did not keep his adoring parents from capturing his passing life for posterity.
    He, on the other hand, did not have so much as a sketch of his likeness in the rambling house. His legacy was to be nothing more than a blemish upon the Graystone name. One that was to be forgotten as swiftly as possible.
    Giving a shake of his head at his spiteful dislike of Simon (a man he had never so much as crossed paths with), Fredrick determinedly turned his mind to more important matters.
    “How do things go at Oak Manor?”
    “Much the same as ever, sir,” Morgan replied, leading Fredrick up the magnificent oak staircase that had given the manor its name.
    “The family is well?”
    “Quite well.”
    “I suppose Father is busy overseeing the planting?”
    “Yes, indeed.”
    “Is Lady Graystone in town for the season?”
    “Yes, she had the townhouse opened last week.”
    “And my brother is with her?”
    “Of course. Master Simon is always anxious to return to London.”
    Fredrick’s humor returned at Morgan’s discreet responses. He was the perfect butler, possessing the unshakable belief that “thou shall not gossip” was one of the Ten Commandments. Even among family members.
    A saintly virtue when Fredrick was small and he had broken a window in the conservatory, or tossed several of Simon’s expensive toys into the nearby lake. He had never feared that Morgan would reveal his guilt.
    But now his reticence was less than a blessing. The older man’s position in the household would mean he was privy to all sorts of sordid secrets. One of which might have forced Lord Graystone to pay Dunnington twenty thousand pounds to keep hidden.
    Together they entered the formal drawing room. It was a splendid room with classical gods painted on the ceiling and arabesque tapestries covering the walls. Gilt edge plasterwork completed the image of tranquil elegance.
    Whatever his complex feelings for Lord Graystone, Fredrick could not deny the man possessed excellent taste.
    “If you will wait here, I will have Mrs. Shaw bring you a tray.”
    “Thank you, Morgan.”
    Morgan paused at the door, his stern expression softening. “You have been missed.”
    Fredrick smiled fondly. “As have you.”
    With a shallow bow the butler slipped from the room. Waiting until he was certain he was alone, Fredrick moved briskly across the room and quietly opened the door that led to his father’s private study. A quick peek revealed the room was empty and he stepped inside to begin his search.
    Not that he actually knew what he was searching for. Hell, he did not even know if he would recognize the deep, dark secret if he stumbled across it. But for the moment he had no brilliant notion of how to conduct his investigation. Nothing beyond asking his father bluntly why he had offered Dunnington twenty thousand pounds.
    His lips twisted as he tugged open the drawers of his father’s heavy walnut desk.
    He had never shared a decent conversation with his father in his entire life. If he were to confront the wary man directly he would bolt before the words could finish leaving Fredrick’s lips.
    Discovering nothing more interesting than the usual papers and correspondence dealing with a large estate, Fredrick turned his attention to the book-lined walls. Unlike the rest of the house, this room was faintly shabby and well worn. Rather like a favorite pair of slippers that are kept for their comfort rather than their beauty.
    It was a room that belonged exclusively to Lord Graystone. Even as a very young child, Fredrick had known better than to ever interrupt his father when