Intimate 02 - Intimate Surrender Read Online Free Page A

entertained?” Rafe asked, then turned his gaze to the doorway so not to miss a certain lady’s arrival.
    “It’s not what Caroline alone planned, but what she and her sisters have concocted. They’ve been closeted in the Blue Room since everyone arrived, and we’ve heard nothing but laughter.”
    “Well, I refuse to play another game of charades,” the Duke of Raeborn said with a grimace. “Especially if wehave to act out animals like we did at Baldwin’s. Deuced frustrating trying to act out a rhinoceros, when none of you have ever seen or heard one.”
    Wedgewood laughed. “It wasn’t that we didn’t know what a rhinoceros was. It’s just that your imitation of one was so bloody horrible.”
    “I beg to—”
    “Save your breath, Raeborn,” Carmody said. “You have to admit that when it comes to parlor games, you come up short on the talent end.”
    Raeborn laughed. “You have a point. You’ll understand, then, when I excuse myself from a game of charades if any of the ladies suggest it.”
    “I’ll support you wholeheartedly.”
    “Now, what about you, Rafe?” his brother said, slapping him on the back. “Have you come prepared to partner the half dozen single young ladies my wife has invited to draw your attention? She intends to parade a different candidate in front of you nearly every other day for the entire two weeks.”
    Rafe groaned. “Tell me she hasn’t,” he said, knowing that Caroline undoubtedly had.
    “Oh, I’m afraid tonight will be your only free night. You’re on your own for dinner. But I believe Miss Estelle Warden will arrive tomorrow to keep you company for the day. As you remember, her father is a small landowner and well respected in the area.”
    “I will have to make every effort to enjoy this free evening, then.”
    Rafe tried to keep his frustration from showing. He didn’t need his sister-in-law’s help in finding someone to accompany him every day. He’d already met the only personwith whom he wanted to spend time. And she wasn’t one of the local ladies.
    During their conversation, Baron Wexley, Baron Hensley, the Earl of Baldwin, and the Earl of Adledge arrived. Their gathering was complete. They stood in two small groups after they’d helped themselves to the refreshments provided. It wasn’t long before the gay laughter of feminine voices filled the air. Their conversations stopped, and the men turned toward the door.
    Rafe stepped to the side of the group of men to make sure he could see her when she entered. He experienced a strange sense of excitement that wasn’t at all usual.
    One by one, Lady Wedgewood and her six sisters entered the room. Their gowns provided a rainbow of colors, and the smiles on their faces seemed to compete with the noonday sun.
    “Have you ever seen so many beautiful women gathered in the same room?” the Duke of Raeborn said in a hoarse whisper.
    “Never,” Wedgewood added. “All seven of them.”
    “Eight,” Rafe commented, unable to look at anyone but Miss Hannah Bartlett.
    “There are eight,” Wedgewood said, slapping his brother on the back. “Leave it to you to notice that we’d miscounted.”
    “You didn’t miscount,” Rafe said, giving his brother a knowing grin. “You’re all so smitten with the women you married that you overlooked the most beautiful woman in the room.”
    The second the words were out of his mouth, the look on his brother’s face altered. The change wasn’t drastic,and if Rafe hadn’t always been able to read his brother’s nuances so well, he wouldn’t have noticed it. But the slight narrowing of his gaze sent a stab of forewarning he couldn’t explain.
    “Are you referring to Miss Bartlett?” Wedgewood asked.
    “Yes.” He returned his gaze to where she stood.
    She was even more beautiful than she’d been this afternoon. She wore a gown the most vibrant shade of green. Her neckline wasn’t high, yet it wasn’t too low. It was just perfectly placed to allow a hint of