To Love a Wicked Lord by Edith Layton Read Free Book Online Page A

company of her grandmother in a very long while.
    Perhaps that was the real reason why grandfather had insisted his wife accompany Pippa on her journey. Grandmother was suddenly happier than Pippa had ever seen her: giddy and vain, flirting with every attractive gentleman she met, regardless of age. Had she been like that at home lately? If so, it must have hurt grandfather to see the love ofhis life diminish, if she, indeed, was diminishing. Or maybe he only wanted Pippa’s opinion on the matter. Grandfather moved in mysterious ways. She’d have to listen more closely to her grandmother to know how her mind was working now. But tonight she had to listen most closely to Lord Montrose.
    It was true she’d got herself up like a lady on her way to a grand ball. She knew the gown flattered her to the point that even she caught her breath when she’d seen her reflection. It had been designed to show off her curves. But he didn’t have to know that this was her newest and best gown. And in truth, where else could she wear it? She wasn’t invited to dances and balls anymore. She was an engaged woman whose fiancé had disappeared. She didn’t know if she was expected to mourn or to go into seclusion any more than her friends did. She wasn’t available, and so she couldn’t dance or flirt because then she’d seem to be fishing for unattached gentlemen. So she was left to herself except for the occasional invitation to tea.
    And, she admitted, she wanted to see Montrose’s reaction to her tonight. Surely, he couldn’t remain unmoved. If he continued to be snide and sarcastic, she’d know that he simply didn’t like females. If he made up to her, he’d be a cad. She froze as a newthought came to her. Maybe he was married! She felt weird relief, and vague disappointment.
    But whether he was a woman hater, a cad, or a married man, she likely wouldn’t see him again soon, and so she’d not experience that curious tug toward him coupled with the urge to flee from him. She didn’t know if that pleased her or not.
    â€œCome, Grandmamma,” she said. “He’ll be sure to say something unpleasant if we’re late.”
    Her grandmother rose. “Not to me, my dear,” she said.
    Pippa took her arm and looked down at her. That was when she noticed that her grandmother had a dusting of rouge on her wrinkled cheeks, a smudge of blacking above both eyelids, and a glaze of color on her lips.
    â€œGrandmother!” she said. “You’re wearing paint!”
    Her grandmother winked a sooty eyelid. “I’m not so old as to forget how to make up to my best advantage. It was all the rage in my youth. I gave it up because your grandfather never noticed after we were wed, so what was the point? You know, my love,” she said, peering up at Pippa, “you could do with a pinch of color in your face too. Lord Montrose looks like a judge of female beauty. You do want him to notice, don’t you? Why else would you have worn your grandest gown?”
    Pippa swallowed her answer.
    â€œThere,” her grandmother said. “Now you’re nice and pink. Shall we go?”
    They made their way down the stair to the downstairs dining room. The place smelled of antique wood, polish, woodsmoke from many hearths, and the lingering scents of dinners long past. It was oddly homey and comforting, but Pippa couldn’t see the point to staying on here much longer. That meant she’d go home and remain in seclusion. It made her want to scream or saddle a horse and ride off into the night. She’d seldom felt so powerless.
    Pippa steeled herself for the coming encounter. Maybe she’d discover it would all be over soon: Noel found, her future restored. She doubted it, though. She didn’t want to creep home in defeat, whatever happened. She’d started on an adventure and was loath to end it however it was to end.
    Whatever news the