Wickeds Scandal (The Wickeds) by Kathleen Ayers Read Free Book Online

was
not as tall as Lord Reynolds, but still much taller than Alexandra.  
    “Miss
Dunforth.” His voice was smooth and melodic.   He took Alexandra’s
gloved hand and brushed it with his lips.  The pale blue eyes looked at
her with curiosity. 
    Odious
Oliver pinched the back of her arm, reminding her to dip into a small curtsy.
“Mr. Runyon,” she tilted her head, “it is a pleasure to meet you.”
    Lord Burke
rubbed his ham-like hands together.  “Well?  We can sign the papers
this evening.”  The ballroom wasn’t overly warm, but beads of sweat
clustered on her uncle’s forehead. One of his eyes twitched. 
    Alexandra
now knew how horses felt as gentlemen haggled over them.  How she hated
her uncle. 
    Mr. Runyon
gave her uncle a pinched, unpleasant look.  The lips under the light
blonde mustache curled a bit. 
    Alexandra
was given the distinct impression that Mr. Runyon didn’t care for Oliver
Burke.   
    “Miss
Dunforth, it is a great pleasure to meet you.”  He gave Lord Burke an icy
glance.  “Your uncle did not do justice to your looks or charm.”
    Alexandra
nodded to him, wondering at the oddity of having two handsome men flirt with
her in the same evening.  And Mr. Runyon was handsome.  She’d wrongly
assumed that her uncle would try to marry her off to one of his gambling
cronies, most of who looked like wrinkled trolls.  Not someone so
obviously wealthy and attractive.
    “I’m sure
you are full of questions, Miss Dunforth, as well I would be if our situations
were reversed.  I would like to answer them.”  He turned to her
uncle.  “Lord Burke, if you don’t mind I would like to take Miss Dunforth
for a turn about the terrace.   I’m sure she could do with a
respite.”
    Her uncle
looked at if he might object.  His eye twitched again.
    “Of course,
I-“
    “Will wait
for Miss Dunforth in your carriage.  You should escort her home as it is
quite late.”  Mr. Runyon’s pale blue eyes bored into her uncle.
    Odious
Oliver nodded dumbly.  He held up one pudgy finger, meaning to admonish
her with it, before Mr. Runyon cleared his throat. 
    “Good
evening, Lord Burke.  You may call on me tomorrow.”
    Mr. Runyon
turned his back on her uncle, dismissing him.  “Come, Miss Dunforth. 
We shall take a turn around the terrace and get to know one another.  I am
not a monster.”  His eyes twinkled at her.  “I’ve no wish for you to
think me one.”
    Alexandra
flushed, charmed by Mr. Runyon’s easy grace. Her mind raced with the possibility
that perhaps he would help her. 
    He guided
her deftly to a row of tall doors, thrown open to let in the air at the back of
the ballroom.  A blast of cooler air slid across her arms and she sighed
in relief.
    Mr. Runyon
chuckled.  “Dreadful in there isn’t it?  Too much hot air!” 
    Alexandra
laughed in return, delighted with his joke.  “You are not fond of these
events, Mr. Runyon?”
    “No, I fear
I am more of a homebody, thus my unmarried state.”  He grinned ruefully at
her.  “I have spent many years living abroad and have only just
returned.”  He brought her over to the edge of the terrace. 
Alexandra could see the outlines of the garden lit dimly with colored paper
lanterns.   The muffled whispers of other couples hidden along the
terrace reached her ears.  Kisses were being stolen.  She touched the
side of her mouth briefly.
    “I met your
uncle quite by chance while playing cards with a group of friends.  He
mentioned during the game that he had a niece who he wished to have
marry.”  He gave her an apologetic look.  “Lord Burke proceeded to
list your long list of undesirable traits, education, love of books, how you
expressed your opinions…”
    “Did
he?”  Alexandra interjected defensively.  How dare her uncle discuss
her in such a way.
    Mr. Runyon
squeezed her arm.  “Pray do not take offense!  I found all of your
supposed flaws to be highly valued.  At least to me.”  The