Scarlet Kisses by Tish Westwood Read Free Book Online Page A

Brook’s masquerade, Alyssum sat in the morning room with her mother and Violet, her gaze focused straight ahead at the wall beside Violet’s head.
    “Are you not hungry?” Violet asked, watching Alyssum.
    Alyssum didn’t answer. She was too busy staring at the wall and remembering Robert’s kiss. With an audible swallow, she shifted her gaze from the wall and noticed Violet and her mother watching her with frowns.
    With her fork midway to her mouth, her mother asked, “Are you well?”
    Alyssum nodded, still unable to talk.
    “Are you sure?” Violet asked.
    She nodded again. Violet looked worried and glanced back down to her breakfast plate. Picking at a piece of ham, she shifted her gaze up to Alyssum.
    Alyssum hadn’t touched her breakfast. She sat with her hands in the lap of her light purple dress. She sat with her back straight, not a curl out of place, and stared with a faraway look.
    “Sweetheart, should I call for the doctor?” Caroline asked.
    “Alyssum?” Violet leant over the table and waved her hand before her sister’s face.
    Alyssum came out of her trance with a frown. “What is it, Violet?”
    “You look like a ghost.”
    “I’ll call the doctor.” Caroline placed her cutlery down on her plate.
    “No,” Alyssum quickly called before her mother stood. “I’m fine. The headache from last night still lingers, that’s all.”
    “Such a pity you didn’t stay at Lady Brook’s longer. It was so lovely.”
    “It was beautiful,” Alyssum agreed. “But I couldn’t handle the crowd with my headache. I’m sorry I worried you.”
    “That’s all right. I’m just glad you’re well.”
    “Excuse me.” Alyssum stood and then walked from the room. Caroline watched after her with frown.
    “I’m going to go check on her.” Violet stood.
    “Yes, you should,” Caroline agreed while staring at the empty doorway.
    Violet left the room and ran after Alyssum. The skirts of her white dress swished around her legs as she dashed up the staircase.
    “Alyssum,” she called. Catching up to her on the stairs, she grabbed Alyssum’s arm and stopped her. “What happened last night?” she whispered.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Alyssum, you tell me what happened or I’m going to Mother with the whole plan,” she warned in a low voice. She saw Alyssum’s eyes widen.
    Alyssum looked around them. Violet did the same. Seeing no servants around, Alyssum leaned forward. “I got what I wanted,” she said quietly.
    “You got a kiss?” Violet whispered, her eyes wide.
    “Yes,” Alyssum mumbled, looking around.
    “By whom?”
    “I don’t know.” Alyssum cheeks flushed.
    Violet frowned, noticing the blush. “Who?” she drawled.
    “I don’t know,” Alyssum whispered with a snap.
    “Yes, you do.” Violet nodded while watching Alyssum’s blush grow redder. “Who was it? It wasn’t someone bad, was it?”
    “Yes, it was,” Alyssum gushed out. “It was horrible, horrible, horrible. I never want to speak of last night again.”
    “All right.” Violet nodded, but Alyssum could see her sister was not going to give up on finding out who the man was.
    Alyssum quickly stepped up the last three steps and began walking down the hall to her room.
    “How about a ride?” Violet called out.
    Alyssum paused then slowly turned. She tilted her head, contemplating.
    “A nice ride in the park,” Violet coaxed.
    Alyssum smiled then nodded. “That sounds perfect. Thank you.”
    “I’ll meet you downstairs in fifteen minutes.”
    Alyssum nodded and walked the rest of the way to her room.
    She closed the door behind her and let out a long breath. Raising her hand, she touched her lips. She closed her eyes and saw her mystery man in black kissing her. Her eyes opened in a flash before her mind showed him revealing himself as Robert. Robert . With an aggravated sigh, she pushed the thought of Lady Brook’s ball from her mind and began making her way to her room to change into her riding dress. Riding