A Little Mischief Read Online Free PDF Page A

imposing that Isabella was stricken with her old fearful shyness.
    She couldn’t move or speak. Her heart beat so wildly in her chest, she could only stare at the man advancing on her with unconcealed anger. All the self-confidence she had learned the past three years fell away like the skin from a peeled apple. Suddenly she was once again the timid child of her youth.
    “Can you not answer me?” he challenged, stopping in front of the settee.
    No, she couldn’t.
    “What’s that you’re giving my sister to drink?” he demanded as he swiped the glass from Isabella’s hand and plunked it on the table by Gretchen’s spectacles.
    His shocking rudeness and his callous tone of voice cut through Isabella’s fog of shyness and her shoulders edged up a notch. Resolve took hold and flourished inside her. He might be powerful-looking and easily the most handsome man she’d ever seen, but she would not let him intimidate her again.
    She swallowed past a dry throat and calmly said, “I would think it obvious, my lord, that I was helping her to drink brandy from that glass.”
    His gaze pierced hers severely and held fast. “That much is obvious. I want to know why.”
    “Then it should also be obvious that she is too upset to hold it herself.”
    His eyes narrowed, and for a fleeting moment she thought she saw admiration in his sparkling eyes. And she’d never been so glad that she’d found her voice.
    “You try my patience.”
    “It appears you have none, my lord,” she countered quickly.
    “Not when I’m talking to someone who can’t answer an uncomplicated question.”
    “I responded to your questions. You simply didn’t like the answers.”
    “Your impertinence is provoking.”
    She glared at him. “No more so than your antagonistic approach.”
    Not taking his imperious gaze off Isabella, he said to the butler who had followed him into the parlor, “Parker, bring Lady Gretchen tea at once.” Then he looked down at his sister for the first time, and his expression softened.
    Gretchen still wore her dark blue cloak and gloves. Her matching bonnet was askew. Her eyes were watery with tears, and her lips were still ashen.
    In a tender voice Lord Colebrooke asked, “Gretchen, what has happened?”
    Gretchen rose and fell into her brother’s arms, weeping. She buried her face in the soft wool of his coat, crying all the harder.
    Isabella was immediately struck by the gentle way Lord Colebrooke affectionately embraced his sister. One strong arm circled her waist and held her protectively against him. His large hand cupped the back of her neck and comforted her with caring movements. When her shoulders shook with despair, he slid his hand from her waist up to softly pat her back with a loving touch.
    “I only meant to hurt him,” Gretchen said between sobs.
    “Calm down, Gretchy. Everything will be all right.” He pulled on the ribbon under her chin and slipped her bonnet off and let it drop to the settee. “Stop crying and tell me who you hurt?”
    The quiet, concerned tone of his voice stunned Isabella. She wouldn’t have thought him capable of such compassionate treatment after his accusing tone and his brash behavior toward Isabella.
    Isabella’s gaze strolled up and past his high collar and perfectly tied neckcloth to his brown eyes that were so light they almost looked golden. She found them staring at her over Gretchen’s shoulder. His gaze was so intense Isabella had to force herself not to take a step backward. She would not cower before him again.
    “I’m afraid to tell you,” Gretchen managed to mumble between broken sobs.
    “What nonsense is this, Gretchy? You know you can tell me anything.”
    “Not this. It’s too horrible.”
    Lord Colebrooke’s burning gaze found Isabella’s again. “Who are you and what the devil is she talking about?” he said, returning to the annoyed voice that was obviously reserved for Isabella.
    “My name is Isabella Winslowe and—”
    “I’ve heard