Never Kiss a Rake Read Online Free

she’d reigned over her first season, and if people were astonished she’d married an Irish earl when she could have set her sights higher they had only to consider that the earl was Adrian Bruton and they understood. They were a beautiful couple, moving through their world on a cloud of adoration, and even Bryony understood the perfection of the match. Lady Kilmartyn hadsmooth, delicate skin, luminous dark eyes, a small, willful chin, and a mass of dark hair that was dressed in loose curls around her beautiful face, and she surveyed Bryony with a critical eye.
    “Your references are impeccable, Mrs. Greaves,” she said finally. “Perhaps you might tell me about your last position and why you left?”
    Bryony had been prepared for this. Of course her references were magnificent—she’d written them herself, and she’d worked up a complicated history that would convince anyone. “I was working in Italy with the late Lady Margrave,” she said, keeping her voice soft and servile. “She kept a large household, and I oversaw both the Italian and English servants, while maintaining order and the serenity she required as she suffered through her fatal illness. Needless to say I returned to England upon her death and immediately sought a new position.”
    “And didn’t Lady Margrave reward such devotion? I would think she would be generous enough to see you didn’t have to work for quite a bit.”
    Bryony had anticipated this. “Lady Margrave was indeed very generous. Unfortunately I have family in Dorset who depend on my assistance.”
    Lady Kilmartyn frowned. “I hope they don’t make too many demands upon your time, Mrs. Greaves. I would expect you to be here.”
    “My responsibility to them is only financial,” she said smoothly.
    Lady Kilmartyn was watching her closely, and she suddenly sat up, peering at her in the darkness. “You know, I’m not sure but that an older woman might be more suitable,” she said suddenly. “You seem too young to be able to run a household.”
    “I assure you, Lady Kilmartyn, that I am more than capable of ordering a full staff of servants and seeing to the smooth running of your home.” Bryony struggled to keep her voice calm as panic filled her. What had she said to change Lady Kilmartyn’s mind?
    “Take off your bonnet and move into the light, if you please,” Lady Kilmartyn said, her voice sharp.
    Bryony didn’t dare hesitate. She rose, pulling off her bonnet to expose the tightly braided hair, then moved toward the pool of light that escaped one dark curtain.
    “What’s wrong with your face?” the woman demanded.
    For a moment Bryony considered not responding to her rude question. Then again, if one was a servant then there was no such thing as rude behavior from an employer. “Smallpox, your ladyship. I had it when I was quite young.”
    Lady Kilmartyn considered her for a long moment. “No,” she said abruptly. “Your face distresses me. I don’t like to be surrounded by ugly things.”
    Ugly things. The words should have stung, but Bryony had heard them before. From her mother. From her own mouth as she stared into a mirror.
    She stood frozen. She could hardly change her face, and begging would do no good. She nodded, temporarily accepting defeat, when there was a sudden shaft of light into the room, and Lady Kilmartyn let out a cry of pain that was as beautiful as she was.
    “Close that door!” she demanded. “You know how much the light hurts me.”
    “Indeed I do, my love,” came a smooth, elegant voice. “But I’m afraid I’m going to have to override you.”



CHAPTER THREE

    L IGHT FLOODED THE SALON , and Bryony almost clapped her hat back on her head, but something stopped her. If she was going to work here he would see her face soon enough, and there was no chance in the world he would recognize her. Few people even knew there were three Russell daughters.
    “Don’t be ridiculous, Adrian.” There was just the hint of a snap in his