A Shocking Proposition Read Online Free PDF Page A

was slightly overstating the case. It was more of a fortified manor, not really a castle at all. Still, it had an outer bailey, a courtyard that one might designate an inner bailey and a curtain wall. Once it had even had a portcullis, although he very much doubted it had ever kept any seriously pillage-minded Scots out. In these more peaceful times buildings had been erected outside the old fortifications. A barn, a cow byre larger than the one within the walls, several cottages. It was its own little world up here.
    He nudged Phaedre and rode on, approaching the main gate. It stood wide open, but as he rode into the old outer bailey a fusillade of barking broke out and a very large, black and white, crossbred hound he remembered only too well charged through the gate that led to the inner bailey.
    He drew rein and Phaedra halted, shifting restlessly as the dog stopped several yards away, still barking, hackles raised. Peaceful times, but Haydon retained some defenses. Ash spoke soothingly to the mare and she settled, although wary of the barking dog.
    “Ketch!” He spoke firmly, and at the sound of his name the dog wagged its tail but continued barking. “Enough, Ketch. Sit.” That was how Maddy had always told the dog to stop barking. Ketch sat, ears pricked.
    A middle-aged man came through the gate, his eyes narrowing suspiciously as he saw Ash. He cast a surprised glance at the dog.
    “Aye? You lookin’ for someone?”
    * * *
    Ketch’s furious barking alerted Maddy and she set down her pen. The dog only barked at strangers and people he disliked. Strangers rarely came here, even in summer, and the person Ketch disliked most was Edward. She gritted her teeth. If Edward thought to stalk through Haydon and make claims on belongings he had no right to, then he had another think coming.
    She rose, set her papers aside neatly, and went to stand by the fire. It was warmer there and she’d be that much closer to a poker if Ketch and Brady, her steward, were unable to persuade him to go away. The barking had stopped, but she could hear the clop of hooves in the courtyard below. A visitor then...she waited.
    The outer door to the great hall opened, admitting a blast of cold air and the man she had persuaded herself she was not going to see or even hear from, unless it was a curt, No , thank you —Ash Ravensfell.
    Her jaw dropped as disbelief hit her like a pile of collapsing masonry. He walked in, saw her and at once removed his hat. Brady came in behind him, flanked by Ketch, who rushed forward and ranged himself beside her, tail whirling.
    Aren’t I clever , Mistress? See what I brought you!
    Brady doffed his hat. “Lord Ashton to see you, Miss Maddy.”
    She said nothing. Could say nothing for the shock reverberating through her. Automatically she scratched Ketch’s ears. He had come. Against all expectation, all likelihood, Ash Ravensfell had answered her letter. In person. What on earth was she going to do with him?
    Brady frowned, casting a suspicious glance at Ash. “Says you wrote to him?”
    Maddy located her tongue and wits. “Yes. Yes, I did write.” Damn it! She could scarcely breathe, let alone think or speak with Ash watching her so closely. Her mind kept skittering back to the touch of his lips on her wrist. She managed a deep breath. At all costs she had to hide the effect he had on her. A business arrangement; that was all she had offered.
    Perhaps he had come to refuse?
    Ash spoke. “I thought it less awkward to answer your letter in person rather than in a letter.”
    Dear Miss Kirkby—Thank you for your kind offer , but I have other plans for my life.
    Nothing awkward about that. Did he mean—? Was he actually considering her—offer?
    She pulled herself together. “Thank you, my lord?”
    His brows rose and she remembered the sound of her name on his lips. “Er, thank you, Brady. If you go out by the kitchen, you might ask Bets to bring up a pot of tea?” She looked at Ash. “Or coffee?”