A Heartless Design Read Online Free Page B

to indicate the Season in general. “Do you live in London?” She tried not to notice the lines of his body, suddenly revealed now that his coat was off. She hoped the darkness hid her involuntary glance. He was worthy of a second glance, which she was determined
not
to indulge in.
    “I don’t, to be truthful.” He laughed to himself, at some private joke. “Circumstances force me to travel. I have, um, one house here in London.” He paused, perhaps considering how much to tell her. “My family estate is in Cheshire. I don’t get to spend as much time there as I’d like, either. Too much time abroad.”
    “I have never been out of England,” Cordelia admitted. “My father once told me he took me to Scotland when I was three, but I don’t think that counts, do you?”
    “Not if you don’t remember it.” The man smiled. “You live with your father?”
    Cordelia stilled. “He has passed away.”
    He apologized instantly. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have asked.” 
    “How could you know? Anyway, it happened some years ago.” She didn’t need to mention that her mother was gone as well; something in his expression told her he understood.
    “I suppose I should return to the house,” Cordelia said after a moment.
    “Don’t go,” the gentleman said suddenly, an odd tone in his voice. 
    She looked at him, searching. “Why not?”
    “It’s too pleasant out to go in that hot box again. I’m not one for crowds. And I barely know anyone in there, aside from Lord Gough…and all the mothers.” 
    “Then why did you come?”
    Again, he smiled as if he had a secret. “I have to attend some functions. It’s expected of me.”
    “You don’t seem the type to endorse the obscure dictates of polite society,” she noted, thinking that he only played at being a gentlemen. There was something rather rebellious about him.
    “Perhaps not.” He looked at her again, and Cordelia suddenly felt the hiding place had somehow become a lair. His lair. He managed to corner her without moving at all. “But tell me something. Why are you here? You come to a party only to hide in the garden? I noticed you inside, in that lovely gown. You were surrounded by admirers.”
    “I was tired of being around people,” Cordelia said, leaning back into the stone wall behind them.
    He murmured, “Yet you invited me in.” His words seemed to wrap themselves around her, warmer than the coat he’d already lent.
    “I should not have,” breathed Cordelia.
    He reached toward her, slowly. Drawing her closer to him. “But you did anyway,” he said. “I may have to take advantage of that.”
    Cordelia didn’t know how he got so close. Her brain was swirling in the scent of him, now stronger than before, strangely exciting. “What sort of advantage?” 
    “Just a kiss,” he returned, still gazing at her, noting every flutter of her eyes.
    “I do not kiss,” she said primly. Or she tried to be prim about it. She leaned away from him, preparing to return to the party. “By your own admission, you are not familiar with London society, sir, so let me tell you what they call me.
Heartless
. It’s a true description. And you’ll forgive me if I leave you now.”
    He stopped her with a look. “You may leave when you return my jacket.” Was he laughing at her?
    “Here, take it.” Cordelia stood up and almost flung the jacket off. He stood as well, preventing her flight. “Thank you,” she added. Her breeding would not let her be too impolite.
    “Is it so unbelievable that I want to kiss you?” he asked, real curiosity in his voice.
    “It is not unbelievable at all,” she retorted. “For years, I’ve put up with this kind of thing. God grant I get old and ugly quickly so it will stop.”
    “God forbid. You’ve never once found a man you’ve wanted to kiss?” he continued, as if truly interested in the answer.
    She paused. In truth, there were few she could remember who had stirred her even a little since her first