Undressed (Undone by Love) by Kristina Cook Read Free Book Online Page A

thing he needed was to make a public spectacle of himself. Again .
    “Verra well,” Brenna said at last . “I thank ye for your kindness, Mr. Rosemoor. You’ve done a fine job of distracting me from my unpleasant thoughts.”  She tilted her head to one side, and he physically felt her gaze sweep across him, as if she were appraising him.
    He straightened his spine and reached up to readjust his cravat, hoping he passed muster . “Yes, well, it’s good to be useful at something, I suppose.”
    She laughed then, a full-bodied, melodious laugh that made him smile despite himself .
    “Perhaps ye simply knocked the dour thoughts from my head when ye trampled me,” she offered .
    “It wasn’t as bad as that, was it ? In all seriousness, are you certain I didn’t injure you?”
    “I’m certain, Mr. Rosemoor.”
    “Your leg—limb, I meant—it isn’t paining you?”
    “I assure ye my limb is fine, sir . Dinna fash about it.”
    Colin’s mouth twitched . “You certainly are a Highlander, aren’t you?”
    “Indeed, and proud of it.” 
    “God help Lady Danville. I believe you’ll give the woman quite the challenge,” he said with a chuckle.
    “Do not underestimate her, Mr. Rosemoor . Wherever do ye think I got my stubborn nature? ‘Twill be a fair fight, no doubt.” 
    “No doubt it will be.”  He blinked hard, forcing away the memory of Brenna’s silky cheek against his hand . The last thing she needed was him in her life, muddying her name with his association. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, then said, “Good night, my lady.”
    “Good night, Mr. Rosemoor,” she answered, then strode purposefully away without looking back .
    Colin stuffed his hands into his pockets and watched her retreating form till she disappeared within the shadows, leaving naught but her clean, lavender scent behind.
     
    ***
     
    “Lady Margaret?”
    It took several moments before Brenna realized the butler was addressing her. She set down her tea. “Oh, pardon me, Alfred. I do wish ye would call me Brenna, at least among family.”
    “Humph.”  The butler cleared his throat, clearly offended . He held out a crisp, white card. “Miss Jane Rosemoor is in the drawing room, and Lady Danville requests that you join them there at once.” 
    “Verra well, Alfred . Tell Lady Danville that I shall be down directly.”  She smiled brightly at the elegant old man, but he seemed utterly incapable of showing any sign of emotion on his lined face. She shook her head; she would never understand the English.
    Alfred bowed in reply and disappeared as silently as he had appeared moments ago, as if the soles of his shoes were covered with felt .
    With a shrug, she headed toward the drawing room, conscious of the clicking sound her own slippers made against the floor . This Miss Jane Rosemoor must be Mr. Rosemoor’s sister, the one he’d recommended to show her around. She was curious to see just what sort of woman she was.
    Pausing just outside the drawing room, Brenna smoothed her hands down the soft folds of her gown, marveling once again that so fine a frock was only meant for sitting about the house in . She pasted a smile on her face and stepped into the room at last, her eyes drawn to the elegant young woman in yellow silk sitting on the sofa across from Lady Danville. Somehow she had expected the woman to be fair. Instead, chestnut hair peeked out from under her lace cap, and sparkling deep-blue eyes—eyes full of friendly warmth—gazed back at her beneath finely arched brows. She rose gracefully and reached for Brenna’s hands.
    “Lady Margaret, what a pleasure . I’m Jane Rosemoor.”  She smiled down at Brenna from a considerable height, and Brenna returned the smile.
    “Miss Rosemoor, the pleasure is all mine . Your brother speaks highly of ye. I’ve been so looking forward to making your acquaintance.”
    Miss Rosemoor laughed . “Dear Colin. A girl couldn’t ask for a better brother. He had several