Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

you again.”
    Miss Hillary’s eyes narrowed on Phoebe. “Lord Andrew, how unexpected to see you again. Did you by chance arrive on an elephant?”
    “I can’t say I did, Miss Hillary.” He winked at Phoebe, a wide grin stretching across his face. “And I thought people in the country were friendly. I’m beginning to feel unwanted.”
    A corner of Miss Hillary’s mouth lifted.
    “Oh, Drew,” Phoebe cried. “Of course, you are welcome. Please, come inside and we’ll find a room for you.”
    He didn’t miss the roll of Miss Hillary’s eyes. “Perhaps if you had sent word, Lord Andrew, we would have formed a parade to greet you.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind for the future, Miss Hillary. Thank you for the suggestion.” He gestured to the bouquet in her hand. “Are those for me?”
    “Oh,” she said, remembering the flowers. “I hope you don’t mind if I bring them inside, Phoebe. I’m a fool for wildflowers, and these were too beautiful to resist.”
    “Hmm.” Drew lifted an eyebrow. “I believe I’ve used that excuse myself a time or two.”
    His sister-in-law frowned, but a chuckle slipped from Miss Hillary before she forced a chastising look. At least someone had a sense of humor, even if she were loath to admit it.
    Stephan raced past as the three of them walked toward the house side by side. Drew glanced sideways at Miss Hillary. She looked quite radiant, even more appealing than the last time he had seen her.
    “The fresh air agrees with you, Miss Hillary.”
    She missed a step and stumbled, but Drew reached out in time to steady her. Her green eyes met his. “Th-thank you, it seems to agree with you as well.”
    ***
    Drew sipped a brandy as his brother paced the length of the study at Shafer Hall. Rich had summoned him minutes after his arrival and seemed intent upon stomping holes into a perfectly good floor.
    His brother skidded to a stop and scowled. “I don’t know why you chose this year to make an appearance.”
    Drew crossed his ankle over his knee. “Last year you were on the continent.”
    Rich glared. “Phoebe’s friend is off limits , Drew. Allow me to lay down the rules for you. You cannot, under any circumstances, be anywhere within a hundred feet of Miss Hillary at any time. Do I make myself clear?”
    Drew chuckled. “Is the dining room table long enough, or am I to take my meals with the hounds?”
    His brother crossed his arms over his chest. “You know my meaning. And don’t tempt me.”
    “Yes, yes,” he said on a sigh. “No seducing the delicious redhead. I understand.”
    “Drew, you have to take this seriously. I forbid you to risk Phoebe’s or the baby’s health by upsetting her.”
    Rich could be quite fierce, especially in protecting his family, but his brother didn’t intimidate him. Drew was fond of his sister-in-law and loved his older brother. He would never do anything to bring them harm. He could easily submit to their demands, since he had no designs on Miss Hillary. Still, this entire hullabaloo over the forbidden female piqued his interest.
    “I have no intention of luring an innocent to my bed, Rich. Too many strings attached.”
    “And we all know how you like being unattached.”
    Drew frowned at the censorship in his brother’s tone. “As did you once upon a time, as I remember.” Once upon a time, before his brother met Phoebe.
    Rich seemed happy with being leg-shackled, but marriage was not for Drew. It seemed a man should love a woman if he married her, and love apparently wasn’t in his cards. He had sampled some of the finest women in England and many across the continent while on his grand tour. None of them left him with stars in his eyes or inspired him to write poetry, not that anything would inspire him to write a poem, silly dribble that it was. Nevertheless, Drew had felt nothing beyond a stirring in his loins, and he’d accepted the truth long ago. He wasn’t made for love, not from the heart anyway.
    He would keep his