A Kiss in the Dark Read Online Free Page B

cravat, and noticed how becomingly even a small smile softened the severity of his visage.
    Dauntry stopped a moment at the doorway, impressed in spite of himself by the baroness. Cressida, as he thought of her, really was a charmer. Society’s spoiled darling looked most alluring with that tousle of crow black curls caressing her cheek and her green eyes glowing with pleasure. Even in the country, she was turned out in the highest kick of fashion, in a jonquil gown that reflected a golden glow on her ivory complexion. He mentally preened himself at her joy in seeing him. He had expected pouts and sulks, and he’d intended to tease the baroness a little.
    He made his bows and was shown a seat. “We were just about to have tea,” she said, pulling the bell chord to summon Muffet. “Beau has been telling me all about the Beaufort scale.”
    “Three cheers for Admiral Beaufort,” Dauntry replied, apparently familiar with the scale. “I don’t know what we did before Frank analyzed the wind velocity for us. He deserves a medal. Do you sail, ma’am?”
    “I am learning,” she said. She was not one to make little of her accomplishments.
    Beau did that for her. “I am trying to teach her. Ladies don’t seem to have the knack for it. Sid threatens to send off to America for a canoe.”
    “That should be interesting.” Dauntry did not care for that “Sid.” A man’s name ill-suited this paragon of womanhood. She should be a Belle or a Melissa—some sweetly flowing name. He had nothing against Cressida as a name, despite Shakespeare’s poor treatment of the character. “False Cressida” he had dubbed her. A giddy girl, a jilt who played with men’s hearts for her enjoyment. He might have been describing Lady deCourcy. “Mama sent me down to see how you are going on, Lady deCourcy,” he said.
    She gave him a saucy smile, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. “Were you not curious to see how we are going on, milord? You are a little old to have to be told by your mama what to do.”
    So she was condescending to flirt with him! This should be interesting. Her anticipatory eyes told him she expected a bantering reply. This being the case, he ignored her taunt. “I had no doubt you were happy with your bargain, once you had seen the dower house,” he replied blandly.
    “Yes, by Jove,” Beau said. “This is something like. Mind you, Sid won’t be happy until she gets us turfed out and moved into that little doll’s house next door.”
    Cressida looked expectantly at her guest, who brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his sleeve. Was that why she was flirting and smiling so sweetly? She would catch cold at that. He was no unlicked cub to be led by a lady’s smiles. “I trust the servants Mama sent down are working out, Lady deCourcy?” he asked.
    “A few conflicts have arisen, but I straightened them out.”
    “Tory is a bit of a tyrant. I make no doubt you can handle her,” he said with a civil smile, but the glint in his eye revealed his knowledge of Tory’s managing disposition.
    “I have always found tact goes a long way,” she replied demurely. “Except, of course, with the witless.” A kindling spark shot from Dauntry's eyes. “I am referring, of course, to Jennet. Has the girl no Christian name?”
    “Her name is Janet. Janet Jennet. An unfortunate choice, as she seems unable to distinguish between the two.”
    “So kind of you to send her to me,” she said, still smiling, but he read the sting in her words. She meant he was palming his inferior servants off onher.
    “Mama handled those domestic arrangements. We will be happy to have Janet back at the castle if you are unhappy with her. I understand she is an excellent worker despite her mental deficiency. Are there any other complaints you would like to air while you have my ear?”
    “Complaints? I was not complaining, milord. It would be too demanding to expect to actually have the use of the house I hired, with the pretty