The Bargain of a Baroness by Sande Linda Rae

Author:Sande, Linda Rae
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Twisted Teacup Publishing
Published: 2021-01-18T16:00:00+00:00

At first, he thought he had misunderstood his mother’s explanation. He was sure she had said they would be posing in front of the fireplace in the parlor. She wasn’t in the parlor, and neither was his sister nor their father.

The room wasn’t empty, though.

He paused on the threshold.

About to move onto the next set of stairs and make his way to the breakfast parlor, he paused when he saw that a young woman, her back to him, was busy erecting a tall easel directly across from the fireplace.

Two upholstered chairs had been positioned in front of the fireplace, each slightly angled toward the other and facing the easel.

Henry watched as the woman mounted a huge stretched canvas on the easel and stepped back, her head angling to one side.

A head covered in blonde curly hair.

Henry blinked. He wasn’t aware he made any sound, but he knew he must have when the young woman suddenly whirled around.

She dipped a curtsy, one hand pulling her dark green bell skirt to the side. “Good morning, sir.”

Staring at the young woman for a moment too long, Henry finally remembered how to bow. “Good morning,” he replied. His gaze swept the parlor, as if he were looking for someone. “I thought I might be late.” When she didn’t respond but continued to watch him, her eyes occasionally darting to the side, he added, “But it seems I am early.”

She nodded, her gaze going to the mantel clock. “I’m not expecting my subjects for at least another ten minutes. I take it you are one of them?”

Henry swallowed. He would have bristled at her use of the word ‘subject’ to describe him, but he was still too mesmerized by her. By the myriad thoughts colliding in his head at that moment. By the brief memories of what she had looked liked naked beneath him. By how embarrassed he felt at what he had done with her.

To her.

Wanted to be doing with her right this very minute!

For the creature who stood before him was not quite the comely young woman he had conjured from his brief glimpses of her, but rather a more beautiful woman with perfect posture and a poise usually found in much older members of her sex.

“Is something wrong, sir?” Her eyes suddenly widened as she glanced down at the front of her gown and then around where she stood, as if she thought something had stained the fabric.

Henry shook his head as he scolded himself. The poor woman. They hadn’t been properly introduced. No wonder her responses had been so hesitant. Her query—I take it you are one of them?—had been made as a prompt, and he had missed his cue entirely.

“Not at all, my lady. Please, forgive the intrusion.” He bowed again. “I am Henry Simpson.”

She nodded, a grin lifting her lips. “It’s very good to meet you, sir,” she said as she stepped forward and offered her hand.

Even if she had intended to shake his, Henry was quick to capture the hand and bring it to his lips.

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