Scarlet Kisses by Tish Westwood Read Free Book Online Page B

always cheered her up. Nothing could upset her when she was galloping, but for now she would have to settle for a trot through Hyde Park. When she got home she would gallop over the family’s estate.
    She walked to the corner of her room and rang the bell, calling Meg, her maid. She stood patiently, waiting. Her gaze turned to her wardrobe. Shoved at the back was a white box filled with a scarlet dress, black mask, black stockings, black gloves and one garter. Her brow creased as she remembered discovering one of her garters missing. She felt her cheeks heat as she remembered Robert grabbing her leg, his hand caressing over her thigh. Had he taken it? Did he have her garter?
    Taking a deep, calming breath, she turned towards Meg as she walked into the bedroom.
    “Yes, my lady?”
    “My riding dress, please,” she instructed Meg. Meg nodded and walked over to the wardrobe.
    Shaking thoughts of Robert away, Alyssum decided that the kiss was nothing.
    He probably hadn’t even given the woman he had kissed on the balcony a second thought.
    Life would go forth, her plans of having a family would continue and the night on the balcony would fade. All she had to do was stay away from Robert.
     
     
    Sitting in his quiet study with the morning sun shining through the open window, Harry frowned at the letter he was holding. After rereading it again, he leaned back in his seat and shook his head. “He’s finally lost it.”
    Leaning his elbow on his desk, he rested his chin on his fist and stared down at the letter Robert had sent him.
    Harry,
    I need your help. I think I’m in love. Save me.
    Robert .
    “The season has just begun,” he muttered, exasperated.
    “What?” Jaz asked as she stepped into his office.
    “Robert’s already gotten into trouble. I think,” he muttered the last bit.
    “What did he do?” She stepped up before his desk. Her hair was unbound and falling wildly about her as usual.
    “He says he’s fallen in love.” He handed Jaz the letter and noticed the dirt under her nails as she took it from him. “What do you think?” he asked after she read it and handed it back.
    “You should save him. He’s your best friend and he needs your help. You should go.”
    Harry squinted his eyes up at his little sister. There she stood, her hair a mass of tangles. Her lady’s maid was going to growl when she saw the mud on the hem of Jaz’s white skirts.
    “Are you trying to get rid of me?” he asked, suspicious.
    “Of course not,” she gushed.
    Harry grumbled, not believing her. “I’m not leaving you here by yourself so you can get into mischief.”
    Jaz deflated. Harry smiled. “Get back to your lessons,” he instructed.
    “Stupid Paris, stupid life,” she grumbled as she stomped from the room.
    Harry chuckled as he watched Jaz leave. Left alone again, he reached over for a piece of paper, dipped his pen into the ink and began writing back to Robert.
     
     
    Robert finished drinking the tankard of ale and then slammed the cup down on the table. Jackson and Tucker stared at him and exchanged a look.
    “What?” Robert snapped over the loud crowd in the tavern.
    Jackson began shaking his head when Tucker announced, “You’re no fun anymore. It’s been a week since you were kicked in the bollocks. You should be up and having fun again, but no , you get drunk, you grouch and grumble under your breath and then you fall asleep.”
    Jackson cleared his throat. “Why don’t you go see Harry’s family? They always cheer you up,” he suggested.
    “No,” Robert grumbled. “I wrote to Harry three days ago. He should be here soon.”
    “Good, maybe he’ll slap some sense into you,” Jackson mumbled.
    “More.” Robert waved his empty cup to the barmaid. When she came strutting over, Robert didn’t pay her any attention, didn’t even look at her. She filled his cup and left. Jackson and Tucker exchanged another worried look. “Harry better get here quick,” Tucker muttered.
    “What?”