A Scandalous Secret Read Online Free PDF

swathed in black, even more lovely now than she had been all those years ago.
    Instinctively, he started towards her, but Clayworth held him back. “What the devil have you gotten me into?” his friend whispered harshly.
    But then Caroline swept up to them and brightly declared, “I’m so thrilled you were both able to attend.”
    Clayworth kissed her cheek and then Chet followed suit. “Caroline, you look lovely.”
    “You look quite dashing yourself,” she whispered. Then she added loud enough for the entire room to hear, “Darling, have I told you Lucas’ good news?”
    Chet managed to drag his eyes away from Hannah. “Not that I recall.” She was in all black. Was she in mourning? The Carterets were both brightly attired. Dear God, she was widowed. He should feel sorry about that, but…
    “He and Juliet are to be parents,” Caroline gushed, while linking her arms with both Chet and Clayworth before towing them towards the larger group. “Naturally, I am simply thrilled. I can hardly wait to be an aunt all over again.”
    “Caroline—” Staveley cleared his throat, looking more than furious. Chet had never seen the viscount’s face appear so harsh.
    However Caroline paid her husband’s expression no attention at all. “I’m afraid you’re right, Staveley. It has grown late. We’ll have to start without Kelfield. I don’t know why the man bothered to accept my invitation if he had no intention of attending. Do escort our guest of honor in to dinner, will you?” Then she dropped Clayworth’s arm, but maintained her grasp on Chet’s in a silent show of support.
    “Damn you, Staveley. I will not stand for this!” Carteret boomed. “Beth, Hannah, gather your wraps. We are not staying.”
    Caroline gasped, though it must have been feigned. She had to have expected this sort of reaction when she put her little plan in place. “James MacFadyn! Whatever is wrong with you?”
    But the earl paid her no attention and directed his wife and sister towards the corridor as the other guests all began talking at once.
    “Stop!” Chet called over the din. It had been over a dozen years since he’d laid eyes on Hannah, and he couldn’t let her leave without at least speaking to her. Laying old wounds to rest, as Caroline had suggested. He wasn’t certain if that was possible, but he did know he couldn’t let her leave without speaking to her.
    Hannah stopped and slowly turned around to face him. Confusion clouded her eyes.
    “Come along, Hannah!” Carteret demanded from the threshold. “I won’t have you in the same house as that man.”
    He was now ‘that man’ was he? Or had he always been so in the interfering earl’s eyes? Chet snorted. “Afraid you won’t be able to hide her from me a second time?”
    Carteret stalked towards Chet, his nostrils flaring angrily like pent-up bull’s in a cage. “How dare—”
    “It’s all right, Jamie.” Hannah’s soft voice halted her brother mid-step. “We should stay.”
    “You don’t have to,” her brother protested.
    But she shook her head. “No, but I need ta, Jamie, and I doona need ye ta protect me from this. Not anymore.” Then her blue eyes pinned Chet to the floor. “I’m no’ the same lass I was all those years ago.”
    No, she was different. He could see it in the proud way she held herself, the firmness in her jaw and the wisdom in her eyes. She was stronger than the fresh faced lass who’d come to London straight from a Dumfries-shire schoolroom. He swallowed nervously as she took a step towards him and he outstretched his hand as though he held out a peace offering.
    Hannah placed her delicate hand in Chet’s, and he released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Dear God, just the feel of her gloved fingers in his hand made tingles race across his skin. It had been too many years since he’d reveled in her touch; too many years since he’d been close enough to tuck one of her loose, flaxen curls behind her ear;