Every Scandalous Secret by Gayle Callen Read Free Book Online Page A

chance to grip it tighter. “May I take a look?”
    “Would you respect my wishes if I decline?” she asked dryly.
    “Probably not. Although I will make quite the show of it, so no one will suspect my dastardly rudeness.”
    From the light in her dark eyes, he thought perhaps she was repressing a smile. Ah, success.
    He opened the sketchbook, and his own smile faded as he paged through, staring in surprise at her brief representations of Bramfield Hall, from the drawing room during a candlelit evening, to Bramfield’s dogs sleeping in the sun by the orchard, to the distant track and smoke of a train heading north through the Hertfordshire countryside. She was exceptionally talented.
    And then there were people—only parts of them, really. Page after page of hands and heads, expressions and poses, the fall of a young lady’s unbound hair, a gentleman’s thighs as he rode his horse.
    Leo arched an eyebrow at her upon seeing the latter, but she only put her hands on her hips.
    “That isn’t you,” she said mildly.
    “Perhaps you’re imagining me.”
    She rolled her eyes.
    “Don’t look so annoyed with me,” he said. “Others might think we’re having a lovers’ quarrel.”
    “They’ll think no such thing. They’ll assume a woman such as myself has little toleration for men like you.”
    “Men like me?” he said, hand to his chest in practiced astonishment.
    “You like to flirt, Mr. Wade, and everyone knows it. Your attention will only inspire sympathy for me—perhaps even from other gentlemen.” She paused, head cocked in thought. “So maybe you have your uses,” she added slowly.
    Wickedly, Leo thought in surprise. He deepened his voice as he said, “I have many uses to a woman.”
    She studied him, eyes half-closed. “Yes, perhaps I could use your insistence on cornering me to my advantage.”
    “How will this help you?” he asked, amused.
    “Sympathy, of course, perhaps even the curiosity of wondering what you find so attractive about me.”
    “I’m glad you think so highly of yourself.” He chuckled. “So you have a purpose here, besides trying to escape London?”
    “I always have a purpose, Mr. Wade, and this time, it is typical of my sex. I am here to meet suitable gentlemen.”
    “The fact that you admit it is refreshing.”
    “Why? Do you not think a woman of my age should still imagine herself marriageable? I do have compelling connections, of course, and my dowry is not insignificant. I’ve put my mind to finding companionship. Mr. Frobisher accompanied me on my walk today, and he always finds a good topic to discuss.”
    “Companionship? What an interesting choice of words.” It was difficult to imagine Frobisher letting Susanna carry her side of any conversation.
    “Marriage is a partnership, and two people must suit as companions, with the same interests and expectations.”
    “You make marriage sound deadly dull,” he said.
    “Perhaps to someone like you, who needs to be entertained every moment of the day.” Her brown eyes sparkled.
    “And night,” he added, giving her his special grin. He liked that she wasn’t leery of him. “But as for needing to be entertained, I think you mistake me. I enjoy being entertained, and I am happy to reciprocate. I spent much of my life entertaining my family, so it’s only natural that now it’s my turn to enjoy myself.”
    She looked at him too closely, as if reading something in his words. “Entertaining your family? What a peculiar way to put your childhood, Mr. Wade.”
    “It’s the truth. As you know me better, you’ll see I don’t make a habit of lying. You’ll soon know me well, I promise.” He offered his arm before she could say anything more. “Shall we partake of the feast? I’ll make sure to save the choicest fish for you.”
    T he Misses Norton and Randolph monopolized Mr. Wade’s attention during the picnic luncheon, while Susanna ate contentedly of her roast-beef slices and pigeon pie, topping it off