The Seduction of Lady Charity: The Baxendale Sisters Book Four Read Online Free

he’d found someone who sparked his interest. A lady who might have pushed any thoughts of their friendship from his mind. Should it be so, it would be extremely foolish of her to resent it.
    Charity pushed back her hair with her arm and leaned over to squeeze more white paint onto her palette, suddenly aware of an inexplicable tightening in her chest.
    ****

    Harwood Castle, Northumberland

    “Your Grace?”
    “I am here, Manners.” Robin looked down from the top of the ladder in the library.
    His efficient steward had found him, despite Robin’s attempts to avoid him for a few hours.
    “Franklin has asked me to inform you that the Marchioness of Boothby and her daughter, Lady Katherine, have called,” Manners said, gazing at him from below.
    His uncle, the former duke, had had surprisingly diverse tastes, Robin thought with a smile as he replaced the book of ancient erotic art on the shelf and climbed down. He’d debated whether to refrain from entering Northumberland society until he’d gained the upper hand with his other duties. But he soon realized that his uncle had been a popular, social man, and he was expected to follow in his footsteps. Despite his abhorrence of being made the subject of speculation by the mothers of debutantes, he decided to grin and bear it and even make it work for him, for he might find his future wife amongst them. He paused to examine his cravat in the ornate gilt mirror then raked his fingers through his curly hair.
    “Where has Franklin put them?”
    “In the small salon, Your Grace. It’s less drafty there and warmer with the fire lit. Tea has been served.”
    He could do with something stronger, Robin mused, as he descended the curved stone staircase. Franklin had been more at home in the smaller house in Tunbridge Wells. He was feeling his knees these days, and it might be kindest to offer him retirement and employ a new butler. His uncle’s butler had taken his pension after his master died. Perhaps butlers aged faster in this vast house, although there was a small army of servants scurrying around behind the scenes. Reaching the bottom, Robin made his way along a chilly corridor. The warmth of a late summer’s day had failed to penetrate the thick stone walls of the castle. Autumn was almost upon them, and large areas of the house would be impossible to heat.
    Two ladies sat together on one of a pair of sofas covered in blue and gold damask in the small salon, Robin’s favorite room, which opened onto a terrace with a pleasant view of the topiary garden. Lady Boothby, wearing a colorfully plumed hat, eyed the dark green velvet coat slightly worn at the elbows that Robin preferred to wear when at leisure. He cursed under his breath; he should have taken the trouble to change. Her daughter—called Kitty by her mother—was a petite, dark-haired young woman in pale pink. She offered him a tremulous smile.
    “How delightful to have such decorative company,” he said, making his bow.
    Lady Boothby stretched her neck as if it pained her. “I do trust you haven’t forgotten that you invited us to call this afternoon, Your Grace.”
    With difficulty, Robin dredged up a memory of Lady Boothby inviting herself when they’d spoken at the Draycotts’ dinner party. He took the wing chair opposite. “As if I could.”
    She looked mollified. “We have several afternoon calls to make,” she said briskly, as though he’d detained her unnecessarily. “We shall not remain above fifteen minutes.” She turned to her daughter, “Well, speak up, Kitty. You are here to invite His Grace to your come-out ball, are you not?”
    A macaroon dropped from Kitty’s nerveless fingers onto her plate, her eyes registering panic, her cheeks flooded crimson.
    “No need to say another word,” Robin said hastily. “I shall be delighted to attend your ball, Lady Kitty.”
    “It is to be held in three weeks, Your Grace. A formal invitation will be sent.” With a look of satisfaction, Lady