A Scandalous Secret Read Online Free PDF Page A

without causing a scene, and he won’t do that. At least I don’t think he will.” She was warming to the idea and bit her lip as her mind whirled with possibilities. “Oh, darling, you’ll make a grand entrance and—”
    “This is to lay old wounds to rest, as you said. I don’t need to make a grand entrance.”
    She needed to watch how she went on from here. But if she played her hand just right… “Darling, this is just the first of many grand entrances I have planned for you. Consider it practice. Now make sure you wear that new moss-colored waistcoat we ordered. I think it will bring out your eyes, but I’m not certain if chandelier light will give it a yellowed hue. I’m hoping not. So this is a good practice for that as well. And tell your man that simple is better than intricate where knots are concerned…” She prattled on and on, until she was certain he didn’t suspect that she was up to something else entirely.
    ***
    As she entered the Staveleys’ ornate drawing room, Hannah wondered, yet again, how she’d let Caroline Staveley talk her into this affair. But Caroline had promised that it would be a small event, and she would know most of the people in attendance—mainly family or friends of the Carterets’ and Staveleys’. And a small affair would be all right. She could ease back into society gradually until she felt more comfortable.
    Tentatively, she followed her brother and his wife into the elegant drawing room. At first glance, she was surprised at the number of people she did know and she relaxed just a little bit.
    Caroline greeted her and kissed both cheeks before standing back to examine Hannah’s new gown. It was a soft black silk that really was so much more comfortable than the bombazine had been. Her neckline was scooped but conservative, and the gown draped across her lovingly. Hannah almost felt beautiful again, which was saying something, since she was standing near Bethany, who’d always overshadowed anyone nearby.
    Caroline smiled approvingly. “You look wonderful, darling.”
    “Ye are too kind,” Hannah replied softly. “This is so generous of ye, Caroline.”
    Staveley dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Trust me, Hannah, she was glad to do it.”
    “It has been a lifetime. How are ye, my lord?” Havers , Lord Staveley had aged in the years since Hannah had seen him last; she would never have recognized him.
    Before Staveley could answer, his ancient butler intoned, “The Earl of Clayworth and the Marquess of Astwick.”
    Hannah sucked in a breath. Astwick ? She hadn’t heard that name muttered aloud in more than a dozen years. Why would Harold Peyton attend a dinner in her honor? Caroline didn’t seem the sort who would associate with a stuffed-up marquess like Chet’s oldest brother. But then again, Hannah had changed over the last decade. Perhaps the same was true of Harold Peyton. She steeled her shoulders and turned to face her one-time nemesis.
    And her breath caught in her throat.
    Chet?
    Havers ! She hadn’t anticipated ever seeing him again. And certainly not like this . He was more handsome that she remembered, and she felt transported back to when she was just a lass and she’d found herself lost in his mossy green eyes. The years had been good to him, definitely better than they had been to others, in any event. Her heart pounded fiercely in her chest when their eyes met. His penetrating stare left her nearly breathless. Then almost at once guilt dashed cold water on her disloyal thoughts. Malcolm’s memory deserved better.
    “For God’s sake, Staveley!” her brother, James MacFadyn, Earl Carteret, hissed. Then he cursed viciously under his breath, something James never did. Her brother’s anger snapped Hannah back to the present, and she focused on James, who stepped protectively towards her.
    ***
    Chet’s heart pounded in his throat. He’d forgotten how Hannah’s azure gaze could pierce his soul and rob him of his breath. She was gorgeous,