More Than a Stranger: A Sealed With a Kiss Novel by Erin Knightley Read Free Book Online Page A

swept through him. Quickly, he set the interloper away from him and closed the door. It was obvious now that she was just a look-alike to her older sister. Both her hair and her eyes were darker, and she was of a much slighter build.
    The girl’s pale skin flared a dull red as she lifted her shoulders in a sort of half shrug. “Well, I’m sorry, but when you didn’t come to see us, I slipped away from our lessons to come see you, but just as I came down the stairs, you disappeared into the guest room, and then I heard your voices, and, well”—she paused to suck in a breath—“I didn’t want to interrupt if it was an important conversation, after all.”
    Richard’s lips were pursed, and his hands rested on his hips; yet his expression was rather indulgent. “And what did you hear, you naughty girl?”
    She grinned and turned to Benedict, dropping a quick curtsy. “Hello, Mr. Hastings. It is so thrilling to finally meet you in person.”
    Richard and Benedict groaned in unison. Bloody hell, this was not going to be his day—or his week. Perhaps not even his year.
    “All right, Bea,” Richard said, hooking an arm about his sister’s shoulders and guiding her to the settee by the windows. “What is it going to take to keep you quiet?”
    “Why doesn’t anyone think I can keep a secret?” she grumbled, managing to look genuinely miffed.
    “Well, my dear, everyone knows you can’t trust a spy.”
    Benedict made a face. That little quip really stung. Giving himself a mental shake, he retraced his steps to the bed to retrieve his jacket. If he must have the disadvantage of being bootless in front of the girl, he could at least be properly outfitted from the knees up. “Lady Beatrice, I apologize that you have been drawn into our little ruse. I know that you wouldn’t want to mislead your sister—”
    “Is that what we are calling lying through one’s teeth these days?” She smiled innocently as she spoke.
    Benedict ground his teeth against the retort that sprang to his lips. He needed the girl in his corner, whether he liked it or not. Grabbing one of the chairs by the fireplace, he carried it over to the settee and set it directly in front of her. Any good manipulator knew that being on eye level was important when trying to garner an opponent’s favor. “I merely wish to spare your sister the hurt of dredging up old memories. Had I known she was in residence, I never would have come. As I will be here only a short time, surely you can see I simply wished to spare her feelings.”
    Beatrice snorted. “You merely wished to spare yourself the hurt of her thrashing you when she discovers who you really are.”
    “That is uncalled for, Bea,” Richard warned, his features for once looking serious.
    “Says the man who played along with the deception.”
    “Says the girl who relies on her only brother to send her oil paints.”
    Beatrice gasped, drawing back in horror. “What has that to do with anything?”
    Richard leaned back against the cushions, smug now. “Only that if you choose to tattle to anyone—Evie, Mother or Father, or even your maid—you’ll soon be reacquainted with the delights of painting only with watercolors. You know, just as a proper young lady should.”
    “But that isn’t fair!”
    “Such is life, my dear.”
    A cautious smile came to Benedict’s lips. Beatrice looked truly appalled by the threat. He held his peace, however, waiting to see what she would say.
    After several seconds, her thin shoulders drooped and she gave a tiny nod. “Very well. I won’t tell her anything. But just so you know,” she said, straightening a little, “it’s not just because of the paints. She wants something very badly, and I think her reaction to Hastings’s presence could jeopardize her plans.”
    “Duly noted,” Richard said, smiling in triumph. “Now then, give your brother a hug and get back to your tutors before you get in trouble.”
    Benedict waited as Richard escorted his