Crystal Heart by Kruger Mary

Author:Kruger, Mary
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mary kingsley mary kruger valentines day regency romance
Publisher: Mary Kruger

Chapter Eight

Three hours later, Alana was still thinking about that kiss. Strange, for it had been brief and rather sweet, not like the kiss they had shared the other day when they had quarreled about his flirtatiousness. That had been born of anger and possessiveness. This was—this was more like affection. Lightly she touched her lips, smiling to herself. She could still feel the touch of his mouth, demanding in its gentleness. Demanding what, though? She did not know.

“You are paying me no heed, miss,” a testy voice said, and Alana straightened.

“My apologies, ma’am.” She bowed her head in acknowledgment of Lady Honoria’s rebuke. “I fear I was woolgathering.”

“Hmph. That is the problem with you young people nowadays. You’re flighty, do you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Hmph.” Lady Honoria shifted in her chair, her expression so cross that Alana suspected her rheumatism was bothering her. “It is a young man, is it not?”

“Ma’am?”

“That foolish look on your face. Only a young man could have put it there.”

“Oh, no, ma’am! I promise you, I was merely daydreaming.”

“Of Mr. Winston?” Lady Honoria’s smile was sly. “Handsome devil, ain’t he?”

“Oh, no! I mean, yes, he is handsome, but I wasn’t thinking of him.”

“Hmph. Say what you wish, miss, but I know the signs. You’re carrying on a flirtation with him.”

“No!” Alana eyed her with alarm. “Please, you must believe we are not. I do not want to lose this position.”

“Fond of me, are you?”

“Actually, yes.”

Lady Honoria cackled. “You lie exceedingly well, miss. Very well, I’ll keep your secret.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Alana looked down at her hands to hide her expression of relief. She was fond of Lady Honoria, though she knew better than to say so again. Her feelings for John, however, were more mixed. She couldn’t say exactly what she felt. He exasperated her; annoyed her with his roving eye; but then he would do something such as giving her the heart. Even if it weren’t his to give.

Her fingers reached up to touch the heart, and Lady Honoria’s eyes sharpened. “What is that you have there?”

Alana started. “This? Oh.” She reached behind her to unfasten the clasp. “‘Tis something I found while looking for costumes. I meant to ask you if you remembered it.”

“Let me see it.” Lady Honoria held out an imperious hand, and Alana placed the heart in it, watching anxiously. Without it she felt lost, bereft, which was ridiculous. It meant nothing to her. “Now, let me see—ah.” Lady Honoria held the heart up. “I remember this.”

Alana leaned forward. “Do you, ma’am?”

“Oh, yes, very well.” The old lady’s eyes were soft with memory. “So long ago. I was young. Yes, I was young once, and don’t you doubt it.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Alana murmured.

Lady Honoria chuckled. “I like you, girl. You’ve got spirit. That daughter-in-law of mine. Bah. Thinks she’s the first one to ever celebrate Valentine’s Day in this house. I’ll have you know, miss, that that is a tradition that goes back many years. We have even had masquerades before. But we never painted the house pink.

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