Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins Read Free Book Online Page B

unconsciously touched her hair… Her fingers found something and her eyes widening. “Cobwebs!” She crossed to the mirror over the fireplace so she could see the damage, laughing when she caught sight of herself. Two frothy strands of cobwebs hung across her hair and draped dramatically to one shoulder. Worse, a faint smudge of dust lined one of her cheekbones. “Ye gods, I look as if I’ve been in a crypt! No wonder you were staring. I’m a complete fright.”
    His gaze met hers in the mirror, a surprising hint of amusement lightening the usual cool blue to something far warmer. “I was going to suggest you’d been counting linens from a dark, deep closet, but a crypt is a much more romantic location to gather cobwebs.” “
    “Cobwebs are not romantic.” Honoria whisked her hand over her head and cleaned away the sweep of misty white strands. “I am sorry to receive you while so mussed. I was assisting my little brother in locating something he’s lost.” That was what she got for even worrying about her appearance to begin with, she decided, shrugging at her own silliness.
    The door opened and Mrs. Kemble entered, bearing a heavy tray. “Here we are, miss!” She set the tray on the small table by the sofa and then stood back, beaming. “There weren’t no more apple tarts left, being as how Miss Portia visited the kitchen not ten minutes before I did and ate every last one. But Cook had some pasties a-cookin‘ and so I waited fer them to be ready.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Kemble.”
    The housekeeper curtsied, though she managed to look the marquis up and down as she went. “Will ye be needing anything else?”
    “No, thank you,” Honoria said. “I believe this will suffice.”
    “Very well, miss.” With one more curtsy and yet another lingering glance at the marquis, the housekeeper was gone, no doubt to regale the kitchen staff with her impressions of their lofty visitor.
    Honoria went to the chair by the table and gestured to the nearby sofa. “Will you be seated, my lord?”
    He hesitated, and she smoothly added, “I hope you are famished, for I am.” She busied herself with the tray, adjusting the cups and putting a pastry on a plate, all the while her mind whirled.
    Perhaps he’d come about an object he wished to purchase. It was unusual, but not unheard of. Certainly other members of the ton called occasionally when looking for something specific. Not often, of course. But still… Mentally, she reviewed the more recent acquisitions. None of them were of the quality that he normally pursued.
    If there was something good to be said for the Marquis of Treymount—and she knew of only one thing—it was that he appreciated the finest of antiquities and bought only the best. She had to admire his taste, if nothing else.
    He stirred, as if making a sudden decision. “I suppose tea would not be amiss. I don’t have long, but… why not?” He came to stand before the table, moving a loose pillow from the sofa and setting it out of the way.
    To her chagrin, Honoria found herself at eye level with
    Treymount’s thighs. It was strange, but in all of her dealings with the marquis, she had never noticed this particular part of his physique. Now that he was directly across from her, she couldn’t help but admire the ripple of his muscles beneath his fitted breeches.
    The man must ride often to keep such a fine figure— ‘’
    He sat, his gaze catching hers. His brows rose as he caught her expression. “Yes?”
    Her thoughts froze in place. Ye gods, did he know what she was thinking? Her neck prickled with heat, then her face. Hurriedly, she began pouring tea into a cup. “I—I—” She what? Admired his well-turned legs? What a horrid predicament! She could hardly admit—
    His gaze dropped to the tray and he frowned. “Miss Baker-Sneed, I believe there is enough tea in that cup.”
    Honoria jerked back the teapot. She’d filled the cup over the brim and tea now sloshed into the saucer and