Some Enchanted Evening (The Lost Princesses) by Dodd Christina

Author:Dodd, Christina [Dodd, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books
Published: 2009-10-12T16:00:00+00:00

Three

Don’t just aim high, reach oot and grab some happiness along the way.

— THE OLD MEN OF FREYA CRAGS

Clarice wrenched her hand back. No. The most handsome man in town couldn’t also be the most powerful. He couldn’t be.

But as she looked into Lord Hepburn’s eyes, she realized — of course he was. He exuded authority. Her luck had indeed taken a turn for the worse — but she had talked her way out of more desperate situations. “I wouldn’t dream of imposing on your hospitality.”

“To have a lovely woman visit in my lonely home is not an imposition.” Lord Hepburn’s voice was mild, deep, and implacable, and he looked just like he sounded.

She could only hope she didn’t look like she sounded, for her voice sounded dismayed and breathless. “It wouldn’t be proper.” The place where his tongue had touched was damp, and the breeze cooled her skin. She flexed her fingers to get rid of the sensation.

“I have sisters and a myriad of servants to chaperone us.” His blue eyes were framed in lashes as black as his hair, and he scrutinized her inexorably, like a man keeping watch over a treasure.

She didn’t want to be his treasure. She could not be any man’s treasure. “My business affairs would interrupt the peace of your household.”

“I always welcome visitors from the town, especially the ladies, and you — you’re special. You’re a princess.” He cast a smile around at the women who had pressed close to hear their interchange.

Susceptible to his charm, the women tittered like a flock of wrens drunk on berries.

Clarice couldn’t detect one smidgeon of sarcasm in him, but she knew that beneath the deep, respectful tone, cynicism was there. He didn’t believe she was a princess. But for some dark, inexplicable reason of his own, he invited her into his home. “I —”

Miss Rosabel pinched Clarice’s elbow again, hard enough to bruise her.

Clarice recognized a signal when she received one. She had to capitulate. He had won this round, but nothing in her life was ever as difficult as the next two words she spoke. “Thank you.” She smiled at him, her best royal, gracious smile. “That is so kind. If you want to ride ahead, I’ll conduct my business and follow later.”

“I’ll wait.” He smiled back with lofty civility. “I would hate for you to…go astray.”

“So kind,” she repeated. She hated him for insinuating that she would skip town if she could.

Well, he was right. She would if she could. All her instincts were rumbling. This was the wrong time and the wrong place to sell her wares. But if she didn’t succeed in Freya Crags, she faced a bout of hunger and perhaps a stint in the workhouse. No, she didn’t dare think of leaving, regardless of what her instincts told her.

She tried to ignore him as she descended from the platform, but he, damnable man, caught her hand and assisted her down. With gentlemanly grace, he assisted Miss Rosabel too, and then retreated to the back of the crowd.

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