Gayle Buck by The Hidden Heart Read Free Book Online Page A

was deliberately not making an appearance. In the past, Mrs. Burlington had always tended to practice a stifling chaperonage. It was, then, rather odd that she had not already acted upon the knowledge that Lord Hathaway had come to call.
    Upon the suspicion, Lady Caroline took advantage of Lord Hathaway’s having paused to draw breath to say, “You are most kind, my lord. Do you know, I have but this moment realized that my aunt has not put in an appearance for tea. I shall go at once to find her, for I know that she will not wish to let you go without saying good-bye.”
    Lady Caroline rose from the settee, but found to her astonishment that Lord Hathaway detained her by the simple expedient of taking hold of her wrist. She looked at him in considerable surprise. “My lord, whatever are you about?”
    Lord Hathaway also stood. He wore an unusually determined expression. His brows had lowered over his rather prominent orbs and his full mouth was half-pursed, which served to give a fishy effect to his countenance. “I had not planned to put into effect my newest form of persuasion so soon, my lady, but you bear all the appearance of haring off before I am ready.”
    “Whatever can you possibly mean?” Lady Caroline asked in growing astonishment.
    His lordship portentously cleared his throat. “My dear Lady Caroline, it occurred to me sometime previous that those gentlemen who could have been most expected to exert some influence upon you were singularly inept in doing so. However, I am made of sterner stuff, as you will quickly gather.”
    Lady Caroline stared at his lordship in continued astonishment, but a gathering of anger as well. “This is unlike you, my lord! I am not used to insult from you. I shall not continue to suffer it kindly, and so I warn you. Unhand me at once.”
    Instead of heeding her icy command and proffering a profuse apology, as she had expected him to do. Lord Hathaway pulled her clumsily into his arms.
    “Mylord!”
    Her shocked tone fell on deaf ears. Lord Hathaway was determined to present his case. “You are in need of a firm hand, Lady Caroline. I have thought so for some time. I am the master for you, my dear lady, as you shall agree before I leave here this day!”
    With this grand declaration, Lord Hathaway lowered his face toward hers. Lady Caroline realized his intent and quickly turned her head. His lordship’s dry lips slid over her cheek. At the same time, Lady Caroline brought her hand up smartly against his face.
    Her eyes blazed up at his stunned expression. “Let me go this instant or I shall scream!”
    “A pretty scene, I swear,” an amused voice drawled.
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    As one, Lady Caroline and Lord Hathaway realized with equal measures of horror that the drawing room door stood open and they were being regarded by the stunned Simpson and a tall gentleman dressed with a negligent elegance that bespoke the Corinthian.
    Lady Caroline flushed to the roots of her hair. “Miles!” she uttered in mingled disbelief and laughter.
    Lord Trilby advanced leisurely into the drawing room. “Yes, it is definitely I,” he agreed. He turned his cool gray gaze on Lady Caroline’s companion, who had begun to sport an interesting shade of purple about his face and neck. “Lord Hathaway, good day to you. I apologize for interrupting your tea with Lady Caroline. Simpson did not inform me that it was a private party, or I would have sent in my card first.”
    Lord Hathaway breathed heavily with his embarrassment. “Not at all, my lord.” He realized that he was still clasping Lady Caroline about the waist, albeit quite loosely, and he removed his arms hastily. “Not at all what it appears, you know.”
    “Isn’t it?”
    Lord Hathaway, goaded by that gentle ironic voice, snapped, “No, it is not. I hold her ladyship in the upmost regard—”
    He stopped abruptly as the Earl of Walmesley’s brows rose. Renewed red crawled up his neck from under his cravat. He well knew