A Code of the Heart (The Code Breakers Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

moved the two biscuits and cheese to his plate in one graceful move.
    Amelia’s chest tightened with the memory of how he had rubbed her lower lip with that massive hand before he kissed her. She took a slow breath and pressed her hand against her chest, trying to ease the constriction on her lungs and speeding heart.
    “Brinsley, I’m sure wedding gowns are of no interest to you. Ash has to pretend since he’s an affianced man. Do you have any sisters?” Gwyneth asked.
    Amelia wasn’t sure if Gwyneth remembered the scandal surrounding Lord Brinsley—that he didn’t appear in good ton because of his reputation. Gwyneth probably did remember, but disregarded the rumors about him running off with his brother’s fiancée, or she simply didn’t care now that she’d included him in her inner circle of friends.
    Amelia wasn’t as forgiving. She had no trouble believing the seduction rumors after the way he had kissed her. A familiar heat stole up from her stomach, to her chest, to her face. She hated that her pale skin reflected all her emotions. Right now, the cad was watching her over the rim of his teacup and appeared to know that the memory of their inflamed embrace had caused her skin to turn the color of a pomegranate.
    Henrietta also watched, knowing that something was afoot.
    Amelia had wanted to spare her closest friend from her turbulent feelings surrounding the Christmas house party, knowing that Henrietta was suffering badly from morning sickness.
    “I’ve no sisters. Only an older brother.” Lord Brinsley showed no difficulty speaking about his family and no discomfiture specifically speaking about his brother.
    “Well, we’ll have to make up for your lack of sisters, won’t we, Henrietta, Amelia?” Gwyneth asked innocently.
    Sisters? What game was Gwyneth playing? Was she trying to be a matchmaker? Gwyneth blissfully ignored the harsh look Amelia hurled at her friend.
    Gwyneth had wanted all the details of their romance after witnessing their embrace—as if one embrace counted for a romance, even one long, lingering, unforgettable moment.
    Damn it. With Gwyneth’s intense, questioning look, the heat came in waves again. The idea that both Gwyneth and Ash had observed the intense dalliance appalled her. She’d never ask how much they’d seen—not that Gwyneth wouldn’t be thrilled to discuss every delicious scintillating moment in glorious detail.
    Henrietta leaned forward in her chair. “I’d be pleased to have another brother, Lord Brinsley. Gwyneth has told me all about your heroic role at Christmas time. I don’t know what Cord would’ve done if anything had happened to Ash.”
    “Henrietta, you’re embarrassing Ash. Men never admit to their feelings about each other,” Gwyneth teased. “Can you imagine Cord declaring his love for Ash?”
    Henrietta laughed out loud, as did Gwyneth.
    Usually Amelia would’ve joined in, but she sat stiff, unable to banter while Brinsley watched her every move, noting her every reaction. Even when he wasn’t looking at her, she knew he was as aware of her as she was of him.
    “I’d be pleased to call each of you charming ladies sisters.” Now Lord Brinsley’s green eyes deepened to a mysterious gray as he gave Amelia a challenging look. He was fully aware that he didn’t arouse sister-like feelings in her.
    Gwyneth clapped her hands in delight. “How wonderful since I only have Cord.” A wistful look darkened Gwyneth’s face. Although young and impetuous, Gwyneth was sensitive and had suffered in her childhood with the loss of her oldest brother.
    “You only have Cord? What about me?” Ash stood up and lifted Gwyneth from the settee into his arms. “Excuse us, I’ve got to explain to Lady Gwyneth a few things about who she has in her life.”
    Laughing and pretending to fight to be released, Gwyneth batted at Ash’s chest. “Put me down, you brute.” All efforts at her command were negated by her laugh.
    Halfway to the door Ash turned