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

with jam puffs and iced lemonade. She idly listened to Lord Keane drone on about the future of the railways. The topic actually interested her, but he spoke with such superiority, as if with his investments, he had created the railway boom himself.
    But just because he thought highly of himself, she didn’t rule him out as a possible suitor—not that she could make him take interest in her, of course. And he hadn’t truly given her a second glance, but that didn’t daunt her. Most men treated her that way. The point of this party was to show them that there was more to her than they thought.
    “Lord Keane,” she called, “I understand your enthusiasm for the railways. It is obvious they will improve both industry and people’s lives.”
    He turned his head and looked at her with his dark blue eyes. “Of course, Miss Leland.”
    She heard the faintest patronization in his tone, but ignored it. “Yet they need to put more thought to standardizing all the tracks, so passengers forced to travel different railways don’t have to get off one train, then ride a carriage across town to the next.”
    He exchanged a smile with Lord Greenwich, who regarded her fondly, as if her sweet attempt to keep up with their quick minds was endearing.
    “A narrow gauge will be standardized this year,” Lord Greenwich said.
    Lord Keane nodded to her. “I see you read your newspaper, Miss Leland. I don’t usually meet such ladies.”
    She resisted the urge to stiffen, overcome with the feeling that he didn’t find her quest for knowledge an admirable trait. But he could be taught a different way. “As I grew up, our large family dinner table was always full of spirited conversation about the world, Lord Keane. I enjoy such discussions.”
    Lords Greenwich and Keane nodded to her, and both looked behind them to something Mr. Randolph said. Susanna didn’t catch their words, but saw Mr. Wade watching her, an enigmatic smile on his face. Rather than sit there feeling equal parts annoyed at them and at herself, she saw elderly Mr. Johnson struggle to his feet.
    She rose quickly. “Mr. Johnson, I find myself in need of a walk. Will you join me?”
    His wrinkled face further creased with a smile. “By all means, Miss Leland. The legs stiffen when one doesn’t use them.”
    Though the other men ignored her, she felt Mr. Wade’s stare as if he touched her. Constantly being under the weight of a man’s stare was a new experience for her, and it was surprisingly pleasant.
    She chatted with Mr. Johnson about the fine weather, his newest bull, and the flowers his gardener had just planted. She caught a glimpse of shy Mr. Tyler through the trees, kneeling at the edge of the stream as if he were trying to get a closer look at something. But she couldn’t even work up much curiosity because she found herself wondering what Mr. Wade thought of her interest in the railways.
    Or did she simply not want to be embarrassed in front of him? What a novel idea.
    At last Mr. Johnson asked her to bring him a chair by the edge of the woods, so he could sit in peace—she thought he might actually want a brief nap. She returned to the picnic alone, meandering slowly, not at all as enthusiastic as she’d been that morn. Several of the young ladies were picking wildflowers, while the older ladies looked on in maternal contentment from the pavilion. She leaned against a tree, not quite ready to go back. Puffs of clouds floated above the expanse of farm fields laid out beneath her. She heard the older gentlemen discussing horse breeding, while the younger—
    “—the painting at our club,” Lord Swanley said behind her.
    She froze, her fingers digging into the tree at her back, afraid to move.
    Which was silly. The men had no idea of her connection to the painting. They’d be embarrassed if they realized she heard their discussion. But she remained still, hoped even a breeze didn’t swirl her skirts.
    “The nude painting?” Mr. Frobisher said, his