A Taste for Scandal by Erin Knightley

Author:Erin Knightley [Knightley, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, C429, Extratorrents, Kat
ISBN: 9780451413475
Publisher: Signet
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Jane’s eyes pricked with tears at the sweet gesture, one that she had seen her father do so many times to her mother. Right here in the kitchen, they would pass by each other all day long, both busy with their work. Every now and then, Papa would snag Mama by the arm, dropping a kiss to her hand as if they were still sweethearts, and not surrounded by the mundane labors of day-to-day life.

Richard straightened, concern clouding his eyes. “What’s the matter? Did I do something to offend you?”

“No, no, nothing at all. I was just thinking of my parents. Papa used to kiss Mama just like that.” She blinked at the tears that dampened her eyes.

“And that’s a good thing?” he asked, his brow still knitted.

She nodded, laughing. “Yes, it’s a good memory.”

His beautiful eyes cleared and he smiled before releasing her hand. “Then I’m glad to have reminded you of it.”

There was nothing but sincerity in his voice. It mattered to her that he didn’t mind talking about them. No one ever seemed to mention them anymore, as if they were afraid of upsetting her. At least she hoped that was the reason—she hated the thought that her parents had already faded from people’s minds. It was one of the reasons she kept her mother’s china displayed. It was a tangible reminder that they had been here.

On a whim, she said, “Can I show you something?”

Richard raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”

“Keep an eye on the oven. I’ll be right back.”

She didn’t know why she suddenly wanted to share her project with him, but she did. By the time she had retrieved the tray and returned, he had settled into one of the stools at the worktable. “What have we got here?”

She set the loaded tray down on the table and gave it a little shake, rattling the pieces around. “The broken pieces of my mother’s china. I’ve been working on turning them into a mosaic.”

“It doesn’t look as though you’ve gotten too far,” he said with a grin. He lifted one of the pieces, inspecting the small flowers that decorated one corner of the shard. “Why does this look familiar?”

“Probably because the day we met, it was raining down onto the ground around you.”

His stricken gaze darted to hers. “You’re serious? This was your mother’s?” When she nodded, he cursed and gently set the piece back down. “No wonder you wanted me arrested. I’m more fortunate than I realized that you didn’t poison those biscuits.” He ran a hand through his hair in agitation. “Damn it, Jane, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right, Richard. I didn’t bring it down to make you feel rotten—I wanted to share my project with you. I’m turning it into a special serving tray in honor of them.”

He looked dubiously to the jumbled pile of broken china. “I’m glad to hear you’ll be able to give it new life.” He pawed through the porcelain, shaking his head. “Though, I still feel like a royal arse.

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