Code of Honor by Andrea Pickens Read Free Book Online

with."
     
    The humor immediately drained from Branford's face and Alex felt his arm stiffen around her waist. There was a perceptible pause before he spoke again. "What else have you heard?"
     
    "Everything, I imagine." She met his gazes squarely and there was no question that he saw a welling of sympathy in the depths of her eyes.
     
    "Then you are either very brave or very foolish," he said coldly.
     
    Alex frowned. "I think I am neither, sir."
     
    Damn the chit. She was truly keeping him off balance and it was a strange feeling.
     
    "Give you no countenance to rumors?"
     
    She didn't answer for a moment. "Growing up, I would hear things that were... twisted versions of the truth. My father was the subject of much speculation due to his inquiries into the natural world. In Cornwall he was rumored to have been a witch due to his nocturnal ramblings and collecting of odd plants and specimens. Needless to say, we were soon forced to leave the area. So I prefer to judge for myself."
     
    A ghost of a smile reappeared on Branford's face. "The scientist in you, Miss Chilton. Empirical knowledge only." He steered her back towards the potted palm. "I believe your Society eagerly awaits your return — a safe haven. I hope I have not reneged on my promise not to bore you." He bowed slightly. "Good evening."
     
    "My lord..."
     
    But he had already turned and disappeared in the crowd.
     

    Branford wandered through the card room and helped himself to a glass of brandy. He needed something stronger than champagne to ease the knot deep inside. He swore to himself as he threw back the last of the spirits. Usually he had his emotions under tight rein. What has happened tonight to cause him to feel so on edge? It was disconcerting to be so..."
     
    "My lord. I would like to have a word with you, if you please."
     
    The voice was at his shoulder, trying hard to sound both deep and self-assured.
     
    The earl turned to face a young man not quite his own height. The face was only vaguely familiar but the flashing color and intensity of the eyes were all too recognizable.
     
    "Who the devil are you," muttered Branford, though he knew full well what the answer was going to be.
     
    "We were introduced last night. I am Justin Chilton, sir. Miss Alexandra Chilton's brother. I wish to have a word with you." He nodded towards the hallway. "The library is empty."
     
    When the door was firmly closed, Justin took a deep breath, his chin coming up in precisely the same manner as his sister's when she felt challenged.
     
    "Sir. I must ask you to refrain from dancing with my sister again. In fact, I would prefer that you refrain from any further contact whatsoever."
     
    Branford regarded him with an icy stare that usually set men to quaking in their boots. The young man's jaw clenched, but he refused to blink.
     
    "Your sister is of an age to make her own decisions. She knows what she is about."
     
    "She does not know what she is about here in Town. She knows her books and her plants, and her eccentric friends at the Botanical Society, not the rules and the... the games that Society and the Ton likes to amuse themselves with. Therefore I must insist that you cease your attentions."
     
    The earl's voice dropped to nearly a whisper. "Just what are you implying, Mr. Chilton?"
     
    Justin took a deep breath, his brows knitted together. "I have very little experience in this sort of thing," he said honestly. "No doubt I shall say it badly." He took another breath. "I mean no disrespect to you, sir. How you choose to... conduct your affairs is not for me to comment on. It is my sister I am concerned about. Despite her age and her ideas on the world she has very little experience with...well, the opposite sex. I do not wish to see her hurt. I thought that if I spoke to you, man to man, you might agree to seek... what you wish with someone who understands how things are done here."
     
    It was well said. Normally he would have ignored such a pup