Lady Bess by Claudy Conn Read Free Book Online

well together, but …” She shrugged. “You have a little horsey group of people coming soon, don’t you?” She eyed him. “You don’t want to be caught in a compromising position when they arrive, and so I am ushered off.”
    His voice was low, and his eyes narrowed. “Sally, you and I are all about having fun. When it ceases to be fun, well then, it ceases. I thought we understood that.”
    Her eyebrow went up. “Is that what you think? Ah, my sweet John, I mean to have more of you— much more .” Her laughter irritated his nerves as she easily hoisted herself into her saddle.
    “You shan’t see me for a few days,” she said while gazing at him sensually. “I am off with my friends. I can see you will be dull work when involved with all this nonsense about your Bold Tim.” She leaned to give him her hand. “Shall you miss me?”
    “Of course, m’beauty,” he answered, wondering why he kept up the pretense. He had wearied of Sally and her games quite some weeks ago.
    He watched her walk her horse down the driveway in thoughtful silence. She could be a problem. A determined woman was always a problem. Sally was not the sort to let go easily. However, he didna see that she had a choice.
    He turned to walk back to the house and had nearly reached the front courtyard when a sound at his back brought his head around.
    He was pleased to see them, but he wondered briefly if they had passed Sally in the drive. If so, had she said anything untoward?
    His second thought was a question—what would Lady Bess have thought of a woman riding away unattended from a bachelor’s residence? His third, also a question, was why did he care?
    Time to contemplate these questions was not something he had as they trotted merrily up to him. He smiled, for he liked this lively crew and was well pleased that he had invited them to stay over. He noted all were on horseback, leaving their driver to bring along their luggage in the coach at their back. He smiled to himself as well as to them as they approached, for they were laughing and teasing one another, and it was certainly infectious.
    He heard Robby complain in between the good-natured raillery, “But, Donna, I am hungry. We already visited Bold Tim. Let the viscount and Bess go on with the earl, and let’s you and I enjoy high tea.”
    “Oh pooh, it will be dark by then, for ’tis nearly four. Don’t you want to stretch your legs and have a walk?”
    “No, my legs have been stretched enough riding over here,” Robby said emphatically.
    The earl laughed as he stepped forward and reassured Robby, “Tea will be served first before we go up to the stables, and I think Cook has made some of her famous little sandwiches for her buffet.”
    “Little sandwiches?” Robby returned, sounding horrified. “Little sandwiches! Not those tiny finger things—indeed, John, I need more than that.”
    Obviously displeased with her husband’s manners, Donna exclaimed, “Robby!”
    The earl chuckled and offered, “Doona worry, lad. I’m certain there is enough on the side table Cook has arranged to satisfy ye.”
    Bess laughed and agreed, “I’m starving too, Robby, so indeed, tea and a selection of food sounds wonderful.”
    “Don’t spoil him, Bess!” Donna said and laughed out loud to add, “Oh, Bess, look at his face!”
    “Do you hear these nonsensical children?” Bess’s father called out to Dunkirk.
    As it happened, the earl had found himself riveted by only one person in this group. She was breathtaking in every sense of the word. The vision of her smiling and at ease. The style of long black hair, loose and looking as though she had weaved tiny diamonds amongst the strands. Those speaking green eyes. All of her very nearly left him speechless. What the devil was wrong with him? She was too young, untried, and dangerous to a rogue such as himself. It would never do. Lady Sonhurst was what his sort needed in bed, not this young maid. Suddenly realizing he had been