Lady Harriet's Unusual Reward Read Online Free Page B

Harriet answered, looking somewhat sceptical. “You have a week.”
    “Come now, Lady Harriet. You do not want to marry a dried up old cynic like me.”
    “I must admit, I have not thought too hard about actually being married to you, my lord. My concern is for William.”
    He allowed his gaze to rake over her. Best that she realise this was not a game. If he was to end up marrying her, it would be a proper marriage. He may not have much of a notion for the fairer sex these days but he did remember his reaction to this pretty little thing in her wet transparent gown. She had haunted his dreams for weeks after that house party. And truthfully, in the six years since Sarah’s death, she had been the only woman who had stirred him beyond a single fantasy.
    He may as well put the prim and proper miss off the idea completely. He was not going to allow her to upset his perfectly easy, grey and unexceptional life with her burnished red hair, her emerald eyes sparkling defiantly at him and her pink cheeks burning red with embarrassment or anger, he wasn’t sure. He allowed his gaze to linger on her décolletage for a moment.
    “Well, that is probably for the best, my lady, as I would be pretty insatiable. It has been rather a long time since a pretty lady has warmed my bed sheets.”
    She heaved in a breath, improving her décolletage and stirring parts of his anatomy he had to will not to be stirred.
    “My lord, that is not proper.”
    “That is precisely why you want me to succeed with my plan and not have to move on to yours, my lady.”
    He gave her a wicked grin as Miss Callahan hurried back into the room.
    “I do apologise my lady. I cast up my accounts just as they were finishing. Luckily I made it to the necessary in time. Everyone says this is going to keep happening for another couple of months.”
    Tears welled in the girl’s eyes.
    “Ginger,” said Stephen quickly. “Suck on ginger and that should help. My wife had to do that for the first three months she was increasing. Helped immeasurably.”
    “Oh!” Miss Callahan said. “Thank you, my lord.” Then she turned to Lady Harriet. “I thought you said it was a secret.”
    “It is, but Lord Stephen is different. He is going to help us.”
    “Yes, Lord Oldbeck and I are old friends. In fact I am returning with you to your townhouse to see him. I shall just arrange for our outdoor clothing.”
    “Oh, he will be pleased to see you,” Mary said, hurrying for the door.
    “She gets a little excited,” Lady Harriet said, apologetically.
    He smiled reassuringly.
    “Please do not concern yourself, Lady Harriet. I understand the situation and do not judge Miss Callahan. Nor will I judge your brother.” He watched her features relax somewhat. This was going to be an interesting week, he suspected. The grey in his life seemed to be dissipating and blue and lemon were beginning to take its place.
    Of course dealing with Harriet’s brother was going to be no mean feat. Not because of the brother, but because of the lady herself. She obviously liked to be in control and making her relinquish it was going to take cunning and guile. But devil take it. He loved a woman with spirit, who was bossy and who had such an attractive flush to her cheek and to the slender columns of her neck. And as for that bosom…
    Oh God, he was done for.

Chapter Four
    They arrived in the townhouse on Curzon Street after much fuss. Lord Stephen had insisted on bringing around his carriage pointing out that being seen with him walking all the way along South Audley Street, then all the way along Curzon Street would cause no end of gossip, especially if Miss Callahan’s gown was prone to meet with accidents. He had said this in a way that suggested he was suspicious of the first accident. And Harriet could not really blame him.
    “Mary, go to your room and change into your pink gown. We should get that gown mended properly. Tomorrow we shall go shopping and get you some new