Kay Springsteen Read Online Free Page B

if she wanted him to believe the lie, she had to play her role.
    Both his dark eyebrows shot heavenward. “ Ah, ” he said softly, his lips curving into a far too-engaging smile. “ Then you must be the maid sent to open the cottage. ”
    Annabella stared, slack-jawed. Open the cottage? Of course. Her heart sank. The task Abby had been sent to do. It hadn ’ t been a routine cleaning and airing after all. Well, invited or no, as long as she was living there, he ’ d not cross the threshold.
    “ I… that is, yes. ” And now to be rid of the most unwelcome guest. “ But I fear Rose Cottage is not at all suitable for living in. ‘ Tis dusty and overrun with rodents. ”
    “ Indeed? ”
    “ Most definitely, m ’ lord. My apologies, but you will be much more comfortable at the main house in one of the guest rooms. ”
    “ Would I, now? ” He widened his stance and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “ And this discovery brought on an urge to sing and dance in the garden? ”
    Heat rushed upward from her neck and flooded her face. “ Of course not! I was on my way to tell Geoffrey and the beauty of the day brought a song to my lips, is all. ”
    “ And lovely lips they are, m ’ lady. ” Fine lines crinkled the skin beside his eyes when he smiled. “ I find myself wondering if you might grace me with another song, and perhaps allow me the honor of a dance. ”
    As if she would deign to dance with a rake such as he. Annabella sought her most disapproving voice. “ Are you seeking a dalliance with one of his grace ’ s servants, sir? ”
    The insufferable lout leaned close. Close enough that his earthy scent tantalized, and her traitorous heart quickened. “ I do beg your pardon, m ’ lady. I was merely seeking the pleasure… of the next dance. ”
    “ Oh! ” Annabella stomped her foot. “ I shall go and tell Geoffrey that the cottage is not suitable for housing guests. ” She stalked across the unkempt lawn, uncertain where she was really going, for she could hardly present herself to the butler.
    “ That won ’ t be necessary, ” Seabrook called after her.
    Good. Maybe the lout would turn tail and head back to wherever he ’ d come from — under a rock in London most likely. She slowed her steps and allowed the dawning smile as she turned back to him.
    He offered another of his heart-stopping grins. “ I ’ ll be staying as planned. So, if you will… kindly carry on the task to which you were assigned. ”
    Anger boiled Annabella ’ s blood. He was actually ordering her to clean and air the cottage! She opened her mouth to voice the likelihood of that particular order being carried out, but just as quickly closed it. Of course, she was supposed to be a servant; she could hardly refuse an order without revealing her identity.
    You and your complicated tangle of deceit, Annabella. She nodded, not having the vaguest idea how one went about cleaning and airing a cottage. But the alternative — admitting her true identity — was as unpalatable as the lemon in her pantry. Juliet is correct. You are a chicken brain.
    ****
    “ Annie ” stalked across the lawn. The pale hair tumbling about her shoulders reminded him of spun gold. One look at those high cheekbones, that aristocratic nose, the pouting lips, and Jon knew he ’ d stumbled onto Grey ’ s stepsister. And without a doubt, the lady was hiding. Had it been known she was residing in the quaint stone cottage, he ’ d never have been given leave to use it, no matter what directive Grey might have sent along. Sorting it all out was bound to prove entertaining.
    Jon followed her into the cottage and found himself in a small sitting room. Most of the furniture stood shrouded, though a threadbare couch in dull red showed signs of use. Its cover had been dumped on the floor in a ball of disorganization. An ivory upholstered chair sat near the window next to a drum table, both similarly bare, but a companion chair remained cloaked in