Improper Pleasures (The Pleasure Series #1) by Cheryl Howe Read Free Book Online Page A

discuss
particulars for the ball with James.” Her mother winked at Astra, and she
prayed James had not noticed. “I shall have no problem escorting Lady Phillina
back to her room. The little dear weighs less than a church mouse.”
    “I intend to be plump and glowing with health by the time
of our ball.” Lady Phillina waved goodbye over her shoulder.
    Her mother escaped with Lady Phillina before Astra could
object. James closed the door behind them, then turned and stared expectantly
at Astra. “Ready to earn your keep?”

CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    “Excuse me?” Astra stared longingly at the door blocked by
James’s bulk.
    “I’ll agree to the ball only because it seems like the
most direct way to be accepted as the new baron, but you need to persuade Lady
Phillina to keep the guest list to a minimum. I’d prefer to put any extra money
I can scrape together into our sheep herd rather than feed a bunch of bloated
aristocrats.”
    “Many peers choose to stay in London until the fall.
Hopefully our attendance will consist mainly of the local gentry.” Or so Astra prayed,
but some scandalmongers might make the long trip to Cornwall out of morbid
curiosity. None of the Keanes had been seen in Town since Trent’s grizzly
death. Thankfully, the tiger’s cage had been removed and a large bank of roses
now grew in its place. Astra strode across the room. “You must know it’s not
proper for me to be alone with you.”
    James shrugged out of his coat, then peeled off the
embroidered waistcoat. “What’s this about a curse?” James sat down on the chair
Lady Phillina had vacated and pulled off his boots. “I thought bankruptcy was
the extent of my problems.”
    “Eastlan is not cursed.” Astra hovered against the far
wall. “What are you doing?”
    “Removing these boots. They are cutting off my circulation
and giving me a pounding headache. Of course, Eastlan isn’t cursed, just
mismanaged, but I should know what’s being said about us.” He reached for his
neck cloth.
    “I beg you not to go any further. There is not an Us.
There is a You and a Me. I know we have an agreement, but I am a lady and I
expect you to respect my delicate position.”
    “Delicate?” He sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose and
leaned back in the chair. “It’s not like you haven’t seen me undressed before.”
    “I beg your pardon?” Astra’s heart leapt to her throat and
she prayed she misunderstood. How could he think, let alone say such a thing?
    The direct stare with which she had found camaraderie in
only moments ago, cut through her, unmasked her. Surely, he could not know what
she had witnessed and now remain so casually unaffected. No, he must mean when
they interrupted his confrontation with Mr. Rudd. Of course. She took a breath
and relaxed once again, feeling a bit foolish she had jumped to the wrong
conclusion at first.
    “I didn’t intend to barge in on you earlier. It won’t
happen again,” Astra said as formally as possible.
    “Forget I said anything. I’m used to a ship full of men
and not accustomed to prancing around in coat and neck cloth all blasted day.
My good manners are rusty.”  He slipped his fingers in the loosened cloth and
tugged, but did not take further steps to remove it. “Would you please see if
you can get my clothes back from Rudd? The thief cleaned out my trunk.” He
returned to his desk, ignoring her as he studied papers spread across its
mahogany surface.
    “I shall speak to Mr. Rudd, but I want your word that you
will not hamper Lady Phillina’s plans for the ball. And please take care with
whom you discuss finances. It will not help you if those around you think you
are a pauper.”
    “Anything else?” James studied her with a tight jaw and a
hard glint.
    “I thought you wished to be accepted as the Baron of St.
Keynes?  You do know there is a village attached to your title? Your barony is
from feudal times, my lord.  And though your ancestors changed the spelling