My Lord's Lady by Sherrill Bodine Read Free Book Online Page A

fireplaces at either end of the room.
    Sabrina had retreated to her room and came now bearing hats or scarves for each to choose, “as protection from the blazing sun.”
    For some reason that pronouncement sent Lawrence into gales of laughter. Once they were all settled comfortably, a picnic was spread out before them. Vane’s excellent French chef had outdone himself to create the fantasy. There was cold roast fowl, slabs of crusty bread, two kinds of cheese, the children’s favorite shortbread, ripe red apples, and lemonade.
    While they ate, Sabrina and Tildie took turns roasting the children with fantastic tales of picnics they had attended.
    “That was ever so delicious,” Leticia cooed, snuggling closer to Sabrina, when she was finished.
    “Now can we … play?” Lawrence asked with a tentative smile.
    “Of course we can!” Georgina declared, pushing to her feet. “Would you like to begin, Lawrence?”
    Would his father’s eyes blaze so brightly if he ever smiled like this, Georgina wondered absently. Refusing to concentrate on such an absurdity, she ruffled the boy’s silky hair.
    “The rules are: there are no rules! Everyone has to stay in this room, though, agreed? Now we shall all hide as you count very slowly to twenty.”
    Vane had counted on having his confrontation with
her
now and getting it over with. But the ladies were nowhere to be found, not in the morning room, or the children’s rooms. He could feel his tension building, but attempted to remain very blasé as he observed.
    “It appears the ladies have unwisely allowed the children to leave their rooms.”
    Amesley flicked him an uneasy glance. “I’m sure there was a good reason.”
    Not deigning to answer, Vane spun away. It was one matter for Georgina to throw his thoughts into chaos, but it was quite another for her to upset the well-ordered routine of his home and family!
    Laughter, childish and other echoed from the third floor. Without consideration he thundered down the hall and took the stairs two at a time. He flung open the wide double doors of the ballroom, and to his surprise Sabrina spun past him, tripping prettily into Amesley’s waiting arms.
    “Oh.” In a flash she appeared to conquer her shyness to meet Amesley’s startled eyes. “I’m so sorry, my lord.”
    Incredibly, the rakish Amesley blushed, but recovered quickly to ask, “What delights have we interrupted?”
    “We are playing hide-and-seek with the children,” she replied simply.
    Vane stood for a few moments, stiff with shock as his gaze took in the muddle in the middle of the ballroom, including the remains of their sumptuous spread. A thundering wave of anger washed over him as his son, wearing his night robe and slippers, crawled out from beneath a long trestle table at one end of the room. A moment later his sister, likewise dressed, followed him. Their faces were healthy and happy, but he managed to dismiss that thought at once.
    “What is the meaning of this?” His roar caused the crystal drops on the chandelier to quiver; even the flames in the hearth appeared to cower.
    In three long strides, he reached his stunned children and cupped their cheeks with his hands. At least their flushed cheeks were not due to a renewed fever! Before he could begin to question them, Tildie stepped from behind a long wine-colored drape at one of the tall window embrasures. Silently, she studied him for a long moment.
    Her composure brought him up short. A loud creaking noise drew his attention to the large black walnut armoire where Georgina peeped out merrily.
    “I guess I wi…” She stopped short when she saw him there.
    He glared at her, letting go of his children to cross the room and tower over her, menacingly close.
    “I can guess whose idea this is. I wish to speak with you in the library forthwith,” he hissed through a tight jaw. Not waiting for her reply, he turned away. His retreat was blocked by Tildie, her knowing eyes demanding his