Sarah MacLean by Nine Rules To Break When Romancing a Rake

Author:Nine Rules To Break When Romancing a Rake [Rake, Nine Rules To Break When Romancing a]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-10-24T23:49:11.041000+00:00

able to receive him then.”

“Indeed, my lady.” The butler gave a short bow and exited the room.

Callie closed her eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath, attempting to calm herself. When she opened

them again, Mariana and Anne were standing shoulder to shoulder, watching her closely. Anne said,

“Nothing to tell, hmm?”

“No.” Callie willed her voice to remain steady.

“You’re a wretched liar,” Mariana said casually. “One can only hope that Davis is slightly better than

you are.”

As the words hung in the air between them, the door opened once again, revealing the aging butler.

“My ladies.” He bowed.

“Has he gone?” Callie asked.

“Erm. No, my lady. He says he will wait for you to return.”

Mariana’s jaw dropped slightly at the words. “Really?”

Davis nodded once in the direction of the youngest Hartwell sister. “Quite, my lady.”

Mari smiled brightly at Callie. “Well, this appears to be shaping into something of an adventure.”

“Oh, do shut up.” Callie turned to Davis. “Davis, you shall have to make it clear that I am not

receiving. It is far too early for callers.”

“I made that point already, my lady. Unfortunately, the marquess appears to be rather…persistent.”

Callie gave a little, frustrated huff. “Yes. He does trend in that direction. You shall have to persevere.”

“My lady…” the butler hedged.

Callie lost her patience. “Davis. You are considered to be one of the best butlers in London.”

Davis preened. Well, as much as a butler could do so and retain an appropriate level of gravity. “In

England, my lady.”

“Yes. Well. Do you think you could…buttle…this morning?”

Anne snorted her amusement as Davis’s face fell.

Mariana turned kind eyes on the butler, and said, “She doesn’t mean to insult, Davis.”

The butler was stone-faced when he replied with a sniff, “Indeed, not.” He then bowed, more deeply

than Callie thought he’d ever bowed to them before and took his leave once more.

Callie sighed, returning to her task, deep within a row of shelves. “I shall be punished for my behavior,

shan’t I?”

“Most definitely. You’ll be served overcooked beef for the next month,” Anne said, her amusement

barely controlled.

Mari inspected a pile of books there before asking casually, “Do you think Lord Ralston will be

deterred?”

“I wouldn’t place a wager on it.”

Callie’s heart leapt into her throat at the dry words, spoken from inside the room. She snapped her head

toward the sound, but the surrounding shelving blocked her view. At the end of the passageway where

she stood, Callie could see her maid frozen in place, eyes wide as saucers, staring in the direction of the

door.

In the silence that ensued, Mariana turned her gaze on Callie. Ignoring her sister’s pleading look, the

younger woman offered a smile befitting The Allendale Angel, and said, sweetly, “Callie, it appears

that you have a visitor.”

Callie’s gaze narrowed. There was truly nothing worse in the wide world than a sister.

She watched as Mari hopped up from her place and smoothed out her skirts, turning to face the door—

and Ralston. “It’s a lovely day,” she said.

“Indeed, it is, Lady Mariana,” came Ralston’s disembodied voice. Callie stomped her slippered foot in

irritation. Did he have to be so very calm?

“I think I shall walk in the gardens,” Mariana said, conversationally.

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