A Perfect Mistress Read Online Free PDF Page B

already.”
    He leaned on the low wall and winked at her.
    “No, you’re not late,” he said, and smiled. “I was just impatient to see you this morning. I found myself pacing the floor, and decided to go for a walk. My feet brought me here of their own volition. And just when I was cursing myself and brooding over my bad mood , I saw you there and my mood lifted as if by magic. I couldn’t resist speaking to you, even though we are to meet later in the day .”
    Sophie blushed and looked down shyly. “I’ve been thinking about you, too,” she admitted in a small voice. A satisfied grin spread over his face, and Sophie let her eyes drink him in .
    My, how handsome he looked! He was dressed soberly yet fashionably in a black frock coat, vest, and pants that clung to his muscular thighs. His cravat was snow white, and it set off his dark skin perfectly. Sophie felt her stomach flutter, and she clutched a hand to it.
    “You look very nice today,” she said.
    Jackson laughed. “You’re the only person who thinks so, my dear. I had a hat, but the wind blew it away and I couldn’t catch the blasted thing. A small child cried when he caught a glimpse of my face as I was chasing it. His mother hurried him away and glared daggers at me for frightening him . ”
    “No such thing!” Sophie said roundly. “Why, your eye patch makes you look dashing. The frown on your face likely frightened him, I daresay.”
    He laughed again. “Come, put me out of my misery and go for our walk in the park early. Elsewise I might frighten more children with my frowning.”
    “I’d hate to be the cause of more suffering,” she said demurely, and then spoiled it all by grinning broadly. “Let me take the vegetables and flowers inside. I’ll meet you at the front gate in a few minutes.”
    When Sophie opened the kitchen door, the smile that lingered on her face dropped off in a hurry. Delia stood right inside the door, and she didn’t look happy.
    “What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed. “I told you…”
    “And I told you . You don’t get to vet my friends, Delia, or make decisions about my life.”
    She brushed by her sister, dropping the basket on the table. She spared a smile for Mrs. Ferguson , who looked frightened and fascinated, all at the same time.
    “ The bean s are doing well, Mrs. Ferguson. Perhaps we could have them with dinner, ” she said brightly, keeping her back to Delia. “And if you wouldn’t mind putting these flowers in water for me, I’ll arrange them as soon as I am back.”
    It was Mrs. Ferguson’s horrified face that warned her. She whirled to face her sister, finding her with a fist raised and her face contorted with anger.
    “You’ll not treat me this way!” Delia howled. “I won’t be dismissed as if I count for nothing.”
    “I’m going for a walk,” Sophie said tightly. “If you expect me to stay here, Delia, you’ll let me live my life as I please. Don’t ever, ever, raise a hand to me again, or I will leave, and I will never come back.”
    “Leave then!” Delia screamed. “I don’t want you here! I never wanted you here.”
    Sophie stared at her, horrified. “Do you really mean that?” she whispered.
    “Yes!” Delia raged. “I mean it. I want you out of here by the end of the week.”
    Sophie stared into her sister’s eyes, but she could see nothing but anger in their depths. No love, no sorrow…nothing but rage and vitriol.
    “Very well,” she said softly. “I will make arrangements.”
    As she walked out the front door, her head was reeling. Jackson was there waiting for her, and he called out a gay greeting. When she didn’ t answer him and merely looked shocked , he took her arm in concern , his fingers warm against her cold skin .
    “What is it, Sophie?” His brows drew together. “Are you all right?”
    “Let’s walk,” she said wanly. “Give me a few moments to pull myself together.”
    They paced in silence, and Sophie was glad that he