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

Boothby added a jam tart to her plate and regaled Robin with the latest gossip of which she was remarkably well informed. After she’d run through the gamut of Northumberland’s secrets, and he’d put down his cup, she gathered up her gloves and stood. “It’s been a pleasure, Your Grace. Come, Kitty.”
    When the door closed on the two women, Robin approached the fire to warm the chill that had settled in his chest. He wondered vaguely if he was sickening with something. Not surprising in this cold house.
    Kitty was by far the prettiest of the daughters paraded before him. He had yet to visit London, as most of the beau monde had returned to their country estates for grouse shooting. The metropolis would not come alive until parliament sat again. Robin returned to the sofa and sat, selecting a small cake from the plate. Despite his excellent, efficient secretary, he’d been slightly fazed by the frenzy of invitations and morning calls that had plagued him every day since he’d arrived. There seemed only one way to get his life in order. He must become engaged. He thought over the young women he’d met. None had interested him, but it might be that the young women failed to show their true natures when scrutinized. Certainly, none were as vital and interesting as Charity. Tamping down the rush of disappointment that thought had caused him, Robin brushed crumbs from his coat and went in search of his secretary.
    He entered the airless office, where Spencer sat scratching notes in a journal. He leapt up and bowed. “Your Grace.”
    “I wish you would not stand on ceremony, Spencer. I intend to pop in and out regularly, and you will exhaust yourself in no time.”
    Spencer sank down again and settled his glasses on his nose. “While you are here, Your Grace,” he said with a smile, “there are several papers requiring your signature.”
    Robin sat and scanned them before grasping the quill and signing his name. He replaced the pen in the standish while Spencer took the pounce pot then sprinkled each document.
    “I intend to hold a ball,” Robin said as he affixed his ring seal to the heated wax. “Will you organize it? I’ll advise you of the guest list.”
    “Certainly, Your Grace. It shall be dealt with. Er…when might your Grace be thinking of?”
    “I shall write and invite my sister, Lady Miller, to assist you. Shall we say in a month’s time? Lady Katherine’s come-out ball is next on the social calendar.”
    While pleased that he’d taken steps toward solving the problem, he still felt unsettled. Perhaps he was in need of quiet reflection. He was about to leave the room, after deciding on a spot of fishing, when Spencer raised his hand.
    “There’s one other matter in need of your attention, Your Grace.”
    “Yes?”
    “Custom dictates you have your portrait painted and hung in the portrait gallery.”
    Robin stared at him. “I see.”
    “Shall I comprise a list of celebrated portrait artists that you may wish to commission?”
    A tiny flame of possibility warmed the cold knot in his chest. “No need, Spencer. I shall see to it.”

Chapter Three

    Charity tucked the miniature of her father, which she was painting as a surprise for his birthday, out of sight.
    In the corridor on her way to luncheon, her mother approached her with a letter.
    “This arrived in the post for you.”
    It wasn’t from Robin. Disappointed, Charity took her seat at the dining table. While the salad was served, she sliced the letter open with her butter knife and quickly scanned it. She gasped.
    “Really, Charity, could that not wait? Just because your father isn’t dining with us doesn’t mean we should fall into bad habits.”
    “Mama, it’s from the Scottish baron, Lord Gunn. He has asked me to call at his London home to consult him about a portrait.”
    Her fork halfway to her mouth, Mama’s eyebrows rose. “That man? He’s spoken of in hushed tones in drawing rooms. It’s said he’s a rake.”
    “What