Their Wicked Ways Read Online Free Page B

both hurt
and anger through Bronte, but Nick’s tart response evoked a touch of amusement,
as well.  “I am staring at five and twenty now.  Did you think I would not?”
she said to Darcy, who was glaring at Nick.
     
    Darcy flushed.  “I beg your
pardon.  I meant that as a compliment.”
     
    “I’m sure you did,” Bronte
said coolly, then smiled.  “Thank you … I think.”
     
    He looked uncomfortable. 
“I’m not usually so cow handed.  It’s just such a surprise to see you.”
     
    Bronte’s brows rose.  “I
thought you said that you’d heard that I was home for a visit?”
     
    “I’m sure someone mentioned
it,” Darcy said evasively.  “It’s just that … you’re beautiful.”
     
    “I’m sure Bronte doesn’t need
us to tell her that,” Nick said coolly.
     
    Bronte met his gaze.  “Certainly
not, but a compliment now and then is always nice.  Even between old friends
who were never prone to stand on ceremony or utter polite lies only to make one
feel better,” she said, smiling.
     
    “There you are!” Lady
Millford said in obvious relief when her butler entered the room bearing a
tray.  “I’d begun to think you got lost between here and the kitchen.”
     
    “I apologize, my lady.  The
scones were not quite done.”
     
    Lady Millford waved him
away.  “Will you pour, my dear?”
     
    “Certainly,” Bronte said
promptly.  “How do you take your tea?” she asked her visitors.  “Cream and
sugar?”  In your lap? She thought.
     
    Nick’s gaze was wary. 
“Black, thank you.”
     
    “Both,” Darcy responded,
sounding almost as relieved as her mother that Fillmore had provided a distraction.
     
    As if he’d read her thoughts,
Nick leaned forward to take the cup from her.  She sent him an amused glance
and returned her attention to the tray.
     
    “What brings you to the
countryside at this time of year?” she asked politely when she’d served tea all
around.
     
    Darcy inhaled, as if to
speak.  Nick cut him off.  “Business.  But as we’d heard Bronte was here, we
thought we would drop by to pay our respects.”
     
    “That is most kind!” Lady
Millford spoke before Bronte could respond.  “You won’t be in the area long
then?  Such a pity.  I’d planned a little gathering for Bronte tomorrow evening
and most everyone is in town now.”
     
    “I’m sure I could come,”
Darcy said promptly.  “It is Nick who is here on business.  I merely tagged
along.”
     
    “Oh!  How delightful!  You’re
certain we can’t prevail upon you to come, as well, Mr. Cain?”
     
    Nick smiled with an effort.
“I never like to disappoint a lady.  Most certainly, I will come.”
     
    They took their leave shortly
afterward, staying only the precise fifteen minutes.
     
    It was a severe trial to
Bronte nevertheless.  “I cannot believe you invited them!” she said once the
butler had shown them out.
     
    Lady Millford studied her tea
guiltily.  “It was the polite thing to do.  Although I must say it will make us
uneven for dinner.  It’s very difficult when everyone is gone to London for the
season,” she said peevishly.
     
    “It would not be uneven if
you had not invited Nick and Darcy,” Bronte pointed out.
     
    Lady Millford feigned a look
of surprise.  “But … you were always such friends when you were children.  I
was certain it would be a special treat for you.”
     
    * * * *
     
     
    “I’m not entirely certain of
what just happened, but I do believe that was the most uncomfortable fifteen
minutes of my entire life,” Darcy muttered once he’d joined Nick in the coach. 
“Who would’ve thought our skinny, freckled Bronte would grow up into such a
beautiful woman?”
     
    Nick grunted, which might
have been construed as an agreement, but forbore comment.
     
    “Stunning.  Absolutely
stunning.”
     
    “Obviously, she stunned you,”
Nick said sardonically.
     
    Darcy frowned, trying to
recall anything about his