The Viscount Wicked Ways by Anne Mallory

Author:Anne Mallory
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical
Published: 2011-02-22T23:00:00+00:00

Patience put down her tools and sighed. It had taken her twice as long as usual to complete her work. Her mind kept straying to Thomas, the strange men wandering the estate, the buildings, the explosion, and the picnic. Thomas had taken her on a picnic. A picnic. It just didn’t fit.

Of course, he had said it was to discuss the future of the Ashe collection, but Thomas had seemed more interested in other things. If she harbored the secret fantasies of the silly young debutantes, she would almost think he was courting her.

Pink stained her cheeks. So she wasn’t exempt from secret fantasies. But she wasn’t a slave to her fantasies. All right, so she wasn’t always a slave to her fantasies.

Patience stood and began clearing the clutter she had spread across the floor. She needed to get her mind out of the clouds and back in the real world.

There were no monsters, the castle was not haunted, and Lord Blackfield was not courting her. She nodded. Perfect.

“Patience? You look like you are preparing for war.”

She smiled at John, who was standing in the doorway looking quite bemused.

“Finished with the medieval pieces already?”

He entered the room, nodding. “Yes. I’ll begin with the Eastern pieces tomorrow. I was wondering if you needed assistance.”

“Nothing you can help with, unfortunately. Mr. Tecking might need some assistance though.”

John shuddered. “Are you sure there is nothing I can help you with?”

Amused, she shook her head. “Why don’t you take the night off. We’re ahead of schedule, so go do whatever it is men enjoy doing. I heard there is a lively tavern in the village, or perhaps you can challenge Blackfield to evil overlord chess.”

John smiled and turned. “I think I will have a look at the village. Thanks. See you at dinner.”

Patience waved him off. Throwing back her shoulders, she commanded herself to focus on her work.

Two hours later it was time to wash and dress for dinner, and her command had only partially worked. But at least she was through the Egyptian household items. The next day she could start on the burial artifacts, one of her favorite areas.

Patience entered the terrace where the others were already gathered. Lanterns were strung from posts. The atmosphere was light and festive. The staff had prepared a splendid dinner to celebrate the new month. The guests sat and immediately were presented with the first course.

As she sipped her soup, she caught Thomas’s eye. There was a twinkle in their depths, and she again wondered what type of changeling he was to so abruptly alter his demeanor.

“Miss Harrington, how did your cataloging go this afternoon? Must have been a relief to ship a third of the collection this morning.”

Mrs. Tecking’s spoon was frozen halfway to her mouth. John blinked at the cordial tone. Caroline was trying to act as if nothing were out of the ordinary, but her eyes had gone a bit wide. Samuel looked perpetually amused. Mr. Tecking kept eating, blithely unaware as usual.

“Oh, it was a productive afternoon.

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