Shades of the Past by Sandra Heath Read Free Book Online Page B

new arrivals, and Marianna’s swift joy on seeing Stephen was swiftly replaced with astonishment because of Laura.
    Blair’s gaze was unwavering, and Laura felt its steady intensity as surely as if they were the only two people in the ballroom. She could sense his confusion, and in that moment knew once and for all exactly how much she resembled his wife. Only someone who was an almost perfect likeness of Celina Deveril could arouse such a stunned reaction in her grieving widower.
    The ball continued, but many interested eyes were upon the silent drama between the host and the startling newcomer. It was a scene that would have made Miles hug himself with glee, Laura thought. Blair, the man he despised so much, had been visibly stunned by his first glimpse of ‘Mrs. Reynolds’.
    At last Blair and Marianna approached, and Laura’s pulse raced more with each step. She couldn’t look away, and was spellbound by the almost palpable force of his eyes.
    As they halted, Stephen inclined his head. “Blair.”
    Blair’s glance flickered to him. “It’s been too long since we last met, Stephen.”
    “Er, yes.” Stephen looked at Marianna, whose dark brown eyes rested on him with barely concealed longing. He managed a bow. “Miss Deveril,” he murmured, marveling that this adorable creature loved him as he loved her.
    “Mr. Woodville,” she murmured, glancing at Laura.
    Stephen hastened to do the honors. “Allow me to present Mrs. Reynolds, the lady my aunt recommends.”
    Laura curtsied. “Sir Blair. Miss Deveril.”
    Blair’s reluctance was noticeable, but he raised her hand fleetingly toward his lips without kissing it. .“Mrs. Reynolds,” he said softly.
    They were glove to glove, but she felt only his physical warmth, which did not reach his eyes. His naked image hovered before her eyes, and she felt hot color rushing into her cheeks. She couldn’t meet his gaze, and resorted to her fan in a vain attempt to appear collected.
    Marianna turned to her brother. “Mrs. Reynolds is inordinately like Celina, is she not?” she observed candidly.
    Her directness startled Laura. It seemed that while Marianna Deveril could hold her tongue when it came to herself, she was also capable of a devastating candor that showed scant regard for the feelings of others, even her brother. It wasn’t malicious, just artless.
    For a moment Blair couldn’t hide his pain, but then nodded. “Yes, she is.”
    Stephen played his allotted part to the full. “Oh, Lord, Blair, I—I had no idea...” he said uncomfortably, abhorring his duplicity.
    “Why should you? You didn’t know Celina,” Blair replied.
    “Yes, but even so...”
    “Think no more of it.”
    Laura disliked herself too as she glanced inquiringly from one to the other. “Celina?” she repeated innocently, as if the name were new to her.
    Blair looked away, but Marianna remained painfully forthright. “Celina was my brother’s wife, Mrs. Reynolds. She died in a riding accident about two years ago.”
    There was silence for a moment, and then Blair turned to Stephen and coolly changed the subject. “How is that felon Lowestoft? I’m told you’re often in his company now.”
    “Well, not often exactly, but I know him,” Stephen admitted, caught a little off guard by the sudden reference to Miles.
    “Have a care, for he can’t be trusted,” Blair warned.
    Stephen gave an uneasy grin. “He speaks highly of you, too,” he replied.
    “I’m sure he does.”
    Marianna smiled at Laura, and then turned to her brother. “Blair, I think Lady Tangwood is right, Mrs. Reynolds is everything you could wish for in a chaperone for me,” she declared.
    Blair raised an eyebrow. “And how can you decide that when you’ve barely been introduced?”
    “I just know. She’ll be perfect to accompany me around London for the Season, and to help me until the awful day.” The oblique reference to her marriage indicated obvious dislike.
    “That will do,” Blair reproved.