Temptation: 3 (Timeless Series) by Loyd Sandy

Author:Loyd, Sandy [Loyd, Sandy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Sandy Loyd
Published: 2013-08-06T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

A knock woke Penny. As she sat up, a maid breezed into the room with a bowl of fresh water and towels.

“Come, Miss Layton, you don’t want to be late for breakfast.” She tugged the draperies open, bound them with a sash, and attached the sash to the wall as sunshine burst through the windows.

Shame and regret washed over Penny as memories of the night before resurfaced. Would Geoff want her now that she’d lain with Parker? Somehow, she’d make it up to her beloved. She just had to.

The maid opened the armoire door and Penny glanced at her timepiece. It was odd to see the woman in her room at a quarter to seven. Must be an American custom, she thought, slowly climbing out of bed.

Usually an early riser, she wanted to take the coward’s way out today and remain under the covers for as long as possible. Still, it was always better to face unpleasantness sooner rather than later. Penny began washing while the maid readied her clothes to wear.

“Ah, good, you made it to breakfast,” Parker said when she entered the dining room a little later.

Determined to act as if last night hadn’t happened, Penny nodded, then frowned. “I didn’t realize your household is on such a tight schedule.”

Elizabeth patted the seat beside her. “Come sit next to me. Parker’s a stickler for the family eating together whenever he’s in residence.”

Without glancing his way, Penny sat and another maid poured her a cup of tea. Penny added a dollop of milk and brought the cup to her mouth.

A noise at the door drew everyone’s gaze.

Catherine rushed in, adjusting her skirt and tucking loose auburn curls behind her ear. She slowed and, smoothing her gown, walked sedately into the room when she realized all eyes focused on her.

“You’re late,” Parker said, glancing at his pocket watch. “As usual.”

“I overslept.” She took her time pulling out a chair. Once seated, she offered a beautiful smile. “I didn’t dare miss breakfast on your first day home.”

Parker only grunted, but looked none too pleased.

Out of the corner of her eye, Penny watched the two. “If Catherine’s always late, why does breakfast have to be so early?” she finally said.

He turned her way, capturing her gaze with an icy stare. “Because I deem it so.”

Without flinching, Penny held his stare. The autocratic tilt of his head reminded her of Markham, Geoff’s older brother.

“Parker!” Elizabeth chided. “You sound like a despot.”

“Can’t have that.” He inhaled a deep breath and forced a smile before adding, “I leave early and sometimes miss dinner. I like connecting with my family, which is why breakfast is at seven sharp.”

Penny looked down at her cup and prayed the others at the table didn’t see her burning cheeks. He was obviously still mad at her for refusing his offer of marriage after what went on in the library.

After that she remained silent. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice as Elizabeth kept the conversation going with more news of what had gone on during Parker’s absence.

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