Lord Mumford's Minx by Alexandra Ivy

Author:Alexandra Ivy [Ivy, Alexandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-04-06T04:00:00+00:00

Nine

“If you will note the attention to detail, Miss Stanholte, you will see the hand of a master. Such exquisite color and light.”

Obediently studying the framed painting, Cassie stifled a traitorous yawn. It was not that she did not appreciate the wondrous collection of Van Dykes and Rubens that lined the vast gallery. She possessed a great love for art and greatly envied Lady Pembroke. But while she could imagine nothing more pleasurable than spending an evening, or even several evenings, gazing upon the masterpieces, she found the monotone lecture by Lord Westwood unbearably tedious.

For the better part of an hour Cassie had endured the painfully obvious comments and patronizing manner that marked the young gentleman as a first-rate bore. Indeed, she had barely crossed the threshold when he had pounced upon her and all but hauled her up the stairs to the gallery. Now she found it decidedly difficult to conjure a means of ridding herself of his possessive presence.

“Yes, quite lovely,” she murmured, desperately glancing toward the staircase in the hope of relief.

What she found instead was the tall, sinfully handsome Lord Mumford leaning with indolent ease against the carved walnut balustrade. She felt her heart falter as she encountered the amused blue gaze. Really, he was the most disgraceful rogue.

So why then did her knees feel weak and her hands sweaty?

Easily holding her wide gaze, Lord Mumford slowly straightened and strolled across the French Savonnerie carpet. Cassie stiffened, wondering how long he had been watching her.

Unaware of her distraction Lord Westwood continued his droning lecture. “Of course, the Flemish artists are renowned for their—”

“Ah, there you are, Westwood,” Luke interrupted as he halted next to Cassie.

The younger man’s features settled in petulant lines as he regarded the elegant gentleman attired in a black fitted coat and silver gray waistcoat.

“Mumford.”

“Lady Pembroke is requesting your presence in the front salon.”

Lord Westwood frowned. “Please inform Lady Pembroke that I will be with her directly.”

“I believe she wishes to discuss the placement of the candelabra you requested for your reading.”

There was nothing in his bland tone or expression to imply his amusement over the evening’s entertainment, but Lord Westwood instinctively stiffened.

“Very well.” He turned to Cassie. “Miss Stanholte, will you accompany me?”

Cassie was in a decided quandary. She sternly assured herself that she could not possibly desire to spend a moment alone with Lord Mumford. But she could not deny a reprehensible desire to be free of Lord Westwood.

It was Lord Mumford who took command of the situation.

“Really, Westwood, it is devilish bad ton to monopolize poor Miss Stanholte,” he drawled. “Besides, I have promised to show her Aunt Sophia’s watercolors.”

Lord Westwood opened his mouth to argue; then realizing that he would only appear a fool by squabbling with the older man in public, he offered Cassie a stiff bow.

“I shall return in a moment, my dear.”

Cassie watched the younger gentleman as he moved toward the staircase before she turned to face Lord Mumford with her familiar exasperation.

“Must you order everyone

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.