An Accidental Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page A

’ave knowed it.”

Chapter 2
    “G regors,” Savaana said, then paused on the stairs, hand just so on the banister, poised for effect. The midnight blue riding habit she wore was a tad tight. She would have to forgo a few of Cook’s delicacies if she hoped to continue to inhale while wearing this particular garment. Accustomed to vast amounts of exercise, she felt overstuffed and understimulated from the time she’d spent eating ultra rich foods in the solitude of someone else’s stifling bedchamber.
    “Yes, my lady.” The old cadaver turned toward her, his face as expressionless as a rock, his tone absolutely without inflection. If he were, in fact, Celtic, he must have beaten his brogue into submission years before. Which seemed a shame, because Gallagher’s musical lilt continued to sing in her memory, titillating her nerve endings, exciting her—
    But what was she talking about? The baroness wasn’t the sort to get either titillated or excited.
    On the other hand, the Rom were just that sort,especially when she’d been isolated in the airless confines of this mausoleum for three days. Three days, fifteen hours, and two minutes, to be precise. There was an extremely accurate clock atop the mantel in her bedchamber. A clock she was rather likely to hurl into the beveled looking glass if she spent one more second without feeling the wind on her face.
    “I wish to ride,” she said. Her tone was marvelously restrained, not suggesting for a moment that she intended to hurl things…things that very well might include his bony person if he stood between herself and fresh air for another moment. “See that a mount is prepared.”
    “Ride, my lady?” countered Gregors.
    “Yes.” She raised her brows in concert with her chin. “If that meets with your approval.” Holy hell, she was as accomplished at sarcasm as she was at nasty. Who would have suspected?
    “Of course, my lady,” he said.
    She nodded once, then continued down the stairs. She was the epitome of elegant grace. She was certain of it, but his next words stopped her.
    “I shall find you a companion posthaste,” he said, tone bored.
    “A companion!” Her own attitude was harsh and perfect.
    “Surely my lady does not wish to ride alone.”
    That was exactly what she wished, but what the hellwas his snide expression all about? She raised her left brow an extra notch.
    “I assure you, I am a better equestrian than any you shall find to accompany me.”
    “I am certain that is true, madam. But I made a vow to keep you safe until my lord’s return.”
    She considered that for a moment, remembering that Clarette had been adamant that she arouse no suspicions. That she make certain her reputation remained unsullied and her identity unquestioned.
    Savaana almost closed her eyes to her own folly. How foolish she had been to follow this goose on such a wild chase. Since her arrival at Knollcrest she’d found nothing to bolster her hopes regarding Lady Tilmont’s true identity. “Very well,” she said. “But if this companion of yours cannot keep up, she shall be left behind.”
    Gregors bowed again, looking as if he might shatter while doing so. “I shall surely relay that caveat, my lady.”
    “Do so,” she said, and wondering about the meaning of caveat, glided back up the stairs to fetch a bonnet. In a matter of minutes she had secured a frilly straw hat upon her head and was heading resolutely toward the stables.
    The sun had made a late afternoon appearance and shone crisp and bright on the saturated world. It made her feet itch to dance, but she kept her pace sedate, her demeanor refined until she reached the anonymity of thebarn. She could not, however, keep a lively little ditty from trilling through her mind as she passed the lean-to that housed a smoking forge. Pacing briskly along, she sang a few bars under her breath as she stepped through the widespread doors of the barn. The air there smelled rich and earthy, soothing her