Loving Lady Marcia by Kieran Kramer Read Free Book Online Page A

really wanted to think about tonight before the fire, and if he weren’t careful, he’d get lost in a haze of lust that would find no relief any time soon. He’d no mistress in London. There was a pretty widow in the country—a woman who never wanted to marry again as her squire husband had left her comfortable. But she was far away, and although she was amusing, his nighttime antics with her were wearing thin.
    “Greetings, Jenkins.” He handed his hat to the waiting butler. “Where’s the little heathen?”
    Jenkins tilted his head. “In the drawing room, my lord, with Aislinn and Margaret.”
    Duncan held a tightly wrapped package under one arm. “Summon everyone for an impromptu party, please. Warren’s probably shining my favorite boots for the umpteenth time. And Rupert is currying Samson. Tell Lizzie not to forget to bring Gulliver’s Travels from the mantel shelf in the kitchen. I’ll read a chapter to everyone before dinner. It’s been three days of boring sessions with solicitors”— and one awkward encounter with an unforgettable young lady— “and I’m anxious to get back to the Lilliputians.”
    “As you wish, sir.” Jenkins did his best to feign indifference, but he took off at a distinctly unbutlerlike speed, striding down the hall as if his tailcoat were on fire.
    “Faster, Jenkins!” Duncan teased him, and watched the butler slow down to his usual lugubrious pace and disappear round a corner in the direction of the kitchens.
    Now it was time for Joe.
    Duncan felt all his tension disappear when he threw open the door to the drawing room and saw the two maids hiding behind chairs.
    Ah, he’d interrupted a game of hide-and-seek.
    One of the girls looked up at him and winced. It’s all right. Don’t move , his expression told her, and he put a finger to his lips.
    With a pleased twinkle in her eye, she went back to hiding.
    The little heathen—better known as Joe—spotted him and forgot all about the game. “Papa!” he cried. As he ran by the chair, the maid reached out and grabbed him.
    Good God, the shrieking!
    With a laugh, Duncan swooped down and pulled Joe from Margaret’s arms. “I’ve brought you something,” he said when the boy had calmed down a bit.
    Duncan put him back on the floor and joined him there, sitting on his haunches to watch him unwrap the brown paper package. It contained brightly painted wooden circus animals he’d seen in a shop window.
    The boy held a yellow giraffe aloft like a trophy and laughed when Duncan extended his hand to try to take it.
    “It’s mine,” Joe said, pulling his hand back, then changed his mind. “But you may play with it, Papa.”
    “Not until you’ve had your turn.” Duncan grinned. “But thank you.”
    Joe dropped the wooden figure and made a wicked face. “Aarrrrr!” he cried, and slashed at him with an invisible sword.
    It was their usual game. Duncan fell back and placed his hand over his breastbone, pretending to be mortally wounded. “Now look what you’ve done,” he groaned, and felt a familiar pang near his heart. It was especially fierce on Joe’s birthdays.
    Guilt.
    Prone on the floor, he inhaled a careful breath and snatched up the freckle-faced mischief maker, trapping him beneath his arms. If only he hadn’t been so naïve, Duncan thought when Joe yelled with delight. If only he’d figured out that Finn had had a reason—a bad one—for leaving so soon for America.
    Duncan would have attempted to right the wrong his brother had done Joe’s innocent mother. He’d have found her in time and married her on the spot, even though he’d met her only once.
    His chest tightened when he looked at his son. You’d have been my legitimate son and heir .
    If only.
    And then full of a regret he made sure not to show, he accidentally on purpose created an exit beneath his arm so his captive could wriggle out.
    When Joe was free, he laughed in triumph. “You can’t get me,” he told his parent with a great