A View To Kiss by Caroline Linden

Author:Caroline Linden [Linden, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: ePub Bud (www.epubbud.com)
Published: 2011-10-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

T hree days later Harry had his half day free from Lord Crane’s employ. After a minor quarrel with himself, he put on Wroth’s clothing and powder, muttered something to Lisette about reconnaissance around town, and headed out. All too soon he found himself on the doorstep of Doncaster House, his heart thumping and his palms damp. He felt exposed and out of place on the steps, and glanced nervously about; if he were seen by anyone in Stafford’s employ, he’d be sacked before supper. But if he didn’t call on Mariah, who knew what she would do when next they met? Pushing his spectacles back on his nose one last time, he rang the bell and stepped back to wait, hoping she would be out and praying she would be home.

His prayers, and not his hopes, were answered when the butler returned very quickly after bearing away his card, to usher him into the drawing room. As he followed the man, he rehearsed what he would say to her. In the space of a scant half hour, he had to be boring, unfashionable, and dull-witted, everything that would dissuade her from seeking him out again, and cast every possible doubt on her suspicion that Lord Wroth and Henry Towne were even remotely related. Then he would excuse himself and totter off before he made another critical lapse in judgment, something he seemed very prone to doing in Mariah’s presence.

The butler opened the door before him. Harry gripped his cane. “Lord Wroth,” the butler intoned, stepping aside, leaving him no choice but to enter the room. He shuffled forward, keeping his eyes firmly on the countess, a tall handsome woman whose serene smile hid any surprise or displeasure she might feel at his appearance. Harry murmured a reply to her greeting, hunkering into a shaky bow. He took advantage of the respite to draw a deep breath, gathering himself, bracing himself—

“Lord Wroth.” She curtsied. “How splendid to see you again.” And his heart all but stopped in his chest at how beautiful she was in sunlight, her hair gleaming like polished ebony and her gray eyes as fresh and clear as dawn. For a moment all he could do was stare, blissfully, helplessly, idiotically besotted.

“The pleasure is mine,” he heard himself say.

Mariah beamed. “Do come in.” She extended a hand toward the seat nearest her own. Harry hesitated a split second, then shuffled over to it. “I am so glad you’ve called,” Mariah went on as soon as they were seated.

“Well, it was very kind of you to receive me.” Harry gave a wheezy chuckle. “Very flattering, it is, to be welcomed by such lovely ladies.”

“How good of you to say so, sir.” The countess smiled. “Mariah has told me of your kindness to her in the park.”

“Oh, it was a trifling matter—” he began, but Mariah interrupted.

“To me it was not trifling at all! I must thank you, sir.”

Harry smiled uneasily. He had already lost control of the situation.

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