Undressed (Undone by Love)

Author:Kristina Cook [Cook, Kristina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-06-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Brenna stepped out of Hatchard’s, humming a tune as she clutched her parcel tightly against her bosom. Oh, what a lovely bookshop! She’d never before been inside such a marvelous place—row after row of books, all shapes and sizes and covering every subject imaginable. She’d browsed for more than an hour and could have stayed many more. Why had no one brought her there before now? She smiled gratefully at Jane, who clutched her own parcel as she stepped lightly up into the carriage.

Brenna followed suit, her fingers itching to tear the paper off her new treasure and leisurely flip through the pages, taking all the time in the world to examine each chart, each lovely illustration.

“Shall we head to Gunter’s for an ice?” Jane asked as they settled themselves against the leather squabs. “It’s quite warm today, isn’t it?”

Brenna looked down at the still-wrapped book in her lap, then back up to Jane. “Aye, ‘tis warm, indeed, but...would ye mind terribly if I went directly home instead? I confess, I’m so eager to read this I can barely contain myself.”

Jane laughed. “Of course I would not mind. I’ve three new novels myself. We’ll take you home directly, but only if you promise to accompany me to Gunter’s tomorrow instead.”

“Verra well,” Brenna said with a grin. “‘Tis agreed. I should love to.”

Jane spoke briefly to the driver, then returned to her seat opposite Brenna. Seconds later, the carriage lurched forward, toward Danville House.

Still smiling to herself, Brenna ran a gloved fingertip along the edge of the coarse paper, enjoying the feel of the book’s weight in her lap. It had been costly, aye, but worth every pence. All the latest astronomical findings in a single illustrated volume. She had nothing like this at home. Even her books at Glenbroch were horribly outdated, and none so fine as this.

Minutes later, she bid Jane farewell and climbed down to the walk. Oddly enough, Alfred did not appear at the door, so she let herself in, still smiling happily and clutching the book to her bosom. The house was quiet; her father must be at his club and her mother out paying calls. Thank goodness. She could enjoy several hours of solitude, undisturbed in the sanctuary of her bedchamber.

That thought in mind, she tiptoed across the front hall, nearly holding her breath as she reached for the carved newel post at the base of the staircase.

Male voices, coming from the direction of her father’s study, made her pause on the landing. Blast it, it was Lord Thomas Sinclair. She recognized the sound of his laughter. “To marriage,” she heard him say.

“To marriage,” Hugh echoed. Glassware clinked together, and the men’s voices grew muffled. Moving as quietly and stealthily as possible, Brenna hurried to the closed door, pressing her ear against it.

“Though I still believe I got the better end of the bargain,” Hugh said, his voice now clear and distinct even through the heavy door. “Honoria is positively delectable. Perhaps I’ll have no need for a mistress once I have her in my bed.

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