Invitation to a Cornish Christmas by Marguerite Kaye

Author:Marguerite Kaye
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-07-09T19:47:01+00:00

Chapter Three

Rosenwyn Treleven didn’t back down from a fight, Cade would give her that. She was fierce when another sort of woman would have retreated from her claims. Whatever she was hiding, she was defending it for all it was worth. Did she realise such a strategy only made her more intriguing? That her audacity made her fresh, a welcome change from the worldly women he was used to? Attracting him could hardly be what she wanted. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Beyond her shoulder, the group was fully engaged in charades with Reverend Maddern as mediator. No one was paying them any attention, he could flirt all he liked, draw out her secrets at his leisure. Cade leaned against the piano and looked deep into her eyes, a gesture that worked well with the ladies of the Hapsburg court. ‘Then tell me my sins so that I might atone for them.’

Rosenwyn Treleven had apparently never heard of the Hapsburg court. His efforts had no effect. She rolled her eyes. ‘Please, do not waste your time. I am not impressed with your lines or practised poses, Mr Kitto. I know exactly the sort of man you are.’

‘What a leading statement, Miss Treleven. I have no choice but to ask “what sort of man is that?” as I am sure you know.’ He would push her to her limits if she insisted.

‘A man who would rather be anywhere than here, who thinks he is above Porth Karrek.’ Her words were as frank as her gaze and more than a little startling. He’d not been expecting that answer, especially since he’d gone to great lengths to hide it. Had he not been jovial at the table? Had he not agreed to play for them with pleasant ease? Had he not given them two brilliant performances this afternoon? Yet, this impertinent beauty with sharp green eyes had laid him open in the span of a few short hours.

‘You’re rather bold to have come to such a conclusion on the acquaintance of the dinner table,’ Cade replied smoothly, but he was wary now. Perhaps there was a limit to how much he liked her lack of pretence. If she saw that much, what else did she see? ‘What would make you think such an uncharitable thing? Porth Karrek is my home.’

‘And you’ve been away for ages.’ Her answer came too fast, her gaze spearing him. She was certainly sure of herself. ‘You don’t want to be here. It was in your eyes at church, just for a moment when you looked out over the congregation, and then again at lunch when Eaton asked you to play.’

‘I had no idea I was so transparent,’ Cade replied wryly. ‘Pray tell, if you know so me well, where do I want to be?’

She did not even hesitate. ‘In London, moving from party to party. I’m sure even out of Season, London is more entertaining than Porth Karrek.’

‘Is that what the rumours tell you? Tsk, tsk, Miss Treleven, for listening to gossip.

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