Clandestine by Gayle Eden

Author:Gayle Eden
Language: ron
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

It was like some grotesque puppet show, Edmund thought, standing by the massive hearth in Greystone's main hall. He sipped his brandy and observed the actors on stage...

There was the portly Duke, who had spent the day stroking the wood, sniffing the paintings and drooling over the dead earl's original drafts that were locked behind a glass door. Lady Katherine in all white, with snowy hair aglitter, who had asked a polite question about Greystone's history—and had her eyes glaze over before Thorn was half way through answering it.

Thorn, that perverse bastard, who left the polite chit chat and normal social discourse to him all through dinner, and who shot Edmund an accusing look every time Lady Katherine glazed their eyes over—with ton gossip and witty quips—that weren't all that witty.

And Lady Victoria—Curse Thorn, what was he about inviting her? She was the worst of the lot, her polite sweetness and fake titters, her oozing over Katherine's gown, and that stupid display of fan waving she kept doing.

Now the fraud was at the piano, having played beautifully for an hour, and then begged, blushed, and giggled for Katherine to save her poor fingers and play for them.

Lady Katherine played with all the passion of an iceberg. And—there was Victoria turning pages and smiling. He knew damned well that Victoria Manning mocked those of Lady Katherine's ilk, and he knew if Lady Katherine knew the real Victoria Manning, she would be shocked to the core.

Edmund sighed and polished off his brandy. Seeing Thorn try to slip out when the Duke dozed off, however Katherine had finished her piece, so Victoria was clapping, and Thorn looked at him and started clapping ... and Edmund bowed, smiled, and clapped too.

"Beautiful ... absolutely flawless,” Victoria was saying and slipping her hand through the woman's arm. Since they were headed his way, Edmund sent Thorn a signal to get his arse over there.

"A wonderful performance,” Edmund murmured, avoiding Victoria's stare.

"Thank you. I haven't played in so long.” Lady Katherine smiled and glanced at Thorn as he joined them.

"Very ... moving.” Thorn added his praise as he stood beside Edmund.

Lady Seymour nodded. “Thank you."

There was silence for a moment, and then Edmund said, “Shall we walk in Greystone's lovely courtyard, ladies?"

"Oh, my. I am quite fatigued.” Katherine waved her fan and sighed. “I vow, we have walked miles today and only toured half the estate.” She glanced at Thorn through her lashes. “So impressive, but one must get used to country air and I fear that the trip...."

"Of course,” Thorn said almost too fast. “Shall I escort you to your rooms?"

"What's that?” His grace called from the setae. He lifted his bulk with amazing speed and stood. “Ready to retire, are we? Well, well, had a fine day, Greystone, quite enlightening.” He laughed and came over, pumping Thorn's hand. “Come along, sweetling.” He put his daughter's hand on his arm and pat it. “You must get your beauty sleep."

There was bowing, murmured good nights, and

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