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

and addressed Henrietta. “Aunt Euphemia isn’t home, is she?”
    Henrietta, the most serious of the trio, giggled at the question. “You don’t have to worry. Aunt Euphemia is on her social calls.”
    Gwyneth leaned back in Ash’s arms and looked up at him with a highly amused twinkle in her eyes. “You’re not afraid of criminals and spies, but you’re wary of dear Aunt Euphemia.”
    “You shouldn’t insult me when you’re in such a vulnerable position.” Ash pretended to drop Gwyneth who squealed in response. “And any intelligent man would be afraid of your Aunt Euphemia.”
    “Brinsley, my man, can you get the door? As you can see I have my hands full.”
    The loving way Ash spoke caused a slight ache to start in Amelia’s chest. Both of her closest friends had found love. They both were radiant with joy. She felt left out of the warmth.
    Henrietta watched the couple leave, then stood. “I think I’ll check on my wayward husband. Amelia, can you entertain Lord Brinsley for a few minutes while I make sure that Cord has had tea? Once he starts working, he forgets to eat.”
    Her closest friends abandoned her to a man with a questionable reputation. Were they insane, or was she? She should have followed Cord’s example and found a way to stay away. Her stomach and heart fluttered in anticipation as she watched Lord Brinsley walk toward her. His black riding breeches hugged his powerful thighs. There was something very threatening in his slow meander as if he was preparing to pounce.
    Why did she suddenly feel threatened? His male posture caused her stomach to flip-flop in a most nerve-racking manner. He was like her brothers—large and dominant, confident in his own power. She remembered being pressed against those thighs, the way he had pushed his leg between hers. A warmth flooded her entire being.
    He sat on the settee close to her. As he seated himself beside her, the cushion tipped her closer to him. She resisted the urge to move away; she refused to allow him to believe she was afraid of him. Although her face was crimson, she wasn’t about to show any other outward reaction to the rogue’s encroaching position. He knew his potent maleness unsettled her. He was used to women fawning over him and his raw virility.
    “It seems I owe you an apology.” He leaned close, too close. So close she could see flecks of gold in darkened eyes and the beginning of the dusky bristles on his angular jaw.
    He spoke of apology, but the way he looked at her was neither repentant nor contrite. In fact, he looked angry. Why should he be angry?
    “Lord Brinsley.” Her voice came out breathless. She reached for her cup of tea to hide her nervousness. “You do not owe me an apology. I’m not sure why you feel you do.”
    “It seems Ash witnessed our little embrace and felt it was marriage-worthy.”
    Amelia gasped. “What?” She froze, her cup forgotten in her surprise. Then fury erupted from deep within. Ash had the nerve to speak to Lord Brinsley? Ash wasn’t her brother. This sounded more like Gwyneth’s interference. Amelia struggled to breathe. She was mortified and beyond angry. She knew her face burned hotly as did the fire in her gut.
    Lord Brinsley watched her carefully, his eyes taking in every inch of her exposed skin.
    “Ash spoke to you about me…about marrying me?” She could barely get the words out.
    Lord Brinsley’s voice was rough and clipped. “He made it obvious that the idea of me as a husband is distasteful to you. You can rest easy; I’m not going to ask. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.”
    Amelia would’ve laughed at the absurdity of the situation if she weren’t humiliated, furious, and utterly flummoxed by feelings she couldn’t identify. “I can’t believe Ash took it upon himself… I can’t believe he spoke to you about…” She couldn’t bring herself to call the episode that had left her sleepless and agitated for weeks a “little embrace.” Understanding