Kay Springsteen Read Online Free Page A

Annabella plucked a rose from the bush next to the steps and sniffed. The sweet perfume filled her nostrils until she found herself giddy. No more horrid lemons! Warm food — entire meals. Oh devil ’ s bells! She should have requested a meal! And perhaps a way to get a message to Juliet. When would Abby return?
    Nearby, a bird sang. Annabella tried to imitate its call, but she ’ d never learned to whistle — no matter how many times Juliet had tried to teach her. So she started humming again. The bird trilled a reply, and Annabella opened her mouth and sang an upward scale of “ ah-ah-ah ’ s. ”
    She closed her eyes and twirled, imagining the handsomest prince as her dancing partner. Juliet might think it a child ’ s tale to dream of true love, but Annabella didn ’ t think that at—
    Strong arms caught her in mid-spin and a hand settled at her waist. Annabella ’ s eyes flew open and she screamed . B ut the dashing stranger grinned and whirled her around then released her.

 

Chapter Two
     
    Annabella scrambled backward, intent on putting distance between her and the stranger.
    “ What are you doing? ” she demanded, placing her hands on her hips. And why must her heart race so?
    The stranger dared to laugh. Then he aimed a courtly bow in her direction. “ I beg your pardon. I saw a lady dancing and in need of a partner and thought to oblige her with my services. ”
    Annabella narrowed her eyes. Who was this man with the glittering black eyes and the black hair that fell in soft waves across his forehead? Her mouth went dry and all traces of hunger left her, replaced with a keen interest. His services indeed. She had an idea what services he ’ d like to offer.
    “ I fear you are quite mistaken. ” She squared her shoulders.
    The stranger ’ s eyes slid to her chest, and her over-exposed skin sizzled as though it craved the stroke of more than his heated gaze. A sly smile crept over his face. “ Mistaken? You mean you weren ’ t dancing? ”
    Annabella sent him one of her best quelling stares, though she could hardly deny she ’ d been dancing. “ I fail to see why anything I was or was not doing should be any concern of yours. And regardless, you are quite mistaken in the belief that I require a partner. ”
    Her tongue tingled as the lie crossed her lips. Her body vibrated with remembered energy of his touch as he ’ d swung her around.
    The stranger clutched his chest with both hands . “ The lady doth wound me with her sharp words that pierce my heart. ” The dark tweed coat hung open in a rather unorthodox fashion, revealing his shirt and loosely knotted cravat. What would that linen feel like beneath her fingers? Would his hand be strong and firm as she cov—
    He flashed an unruly grin, almost as though he knew where her mind had wandered.
    How crass!
    “ Ha! ” Face flaming, Annabella tossed her hair over her shoulder. “ One must have a heart before it can be pierced. ”
    “ Most assuredly I do possess a heart, m ’ lady. ” Black eyes glinted like twin bits of obsidian as his grin widened, and he presented her with another deep bow. “ Allow me to introduce myself. Jonathan Rupert Rhys Durham, Fourth Earl of Seabrook, and guest of the Duke of Wyndham. ”
    Seabrook. Annabella cocked her head to the side and considered him with one eye narrowed. Markwyth ’ s guest? Had her stepbrother finally decided to take a hand in his property? Devil ’ s fire! Did that mean Markwythe himself had come along?
    Lord Seabrook inclined his head to the side with an air of expectation. “ Is it not customary in the country to return the favor of an introduction? ”
    “ My name is Ann— ” She caught her breath. She couldn ’ t give the man her name! Just when she ’ d found a way to carry out her plan, he would spoil everything by running to her stepbrother. And if Markwythe had come with him… “ Annie, er — m ’ lord. ” She nearly choked on the respectful form of address, but