An Affair with Mr. Kennedy Read Online Free PDF

sir?”
    “Indeed it does.”
    IT TOOK EXACTLY three days for Mrs. St. Cloud to send word to the stables to ready her horse for riding. Zeno knew this for a fact, for he had skulked around the mews each and every morning hoping for a chance encounter with the young woman.
    Of course, he might have just knocked on her front door. “Greetings, madam. Welcome to the neighborhood.” But that sort of formality, while neighborly, was hardly conducive to poking into her brother-in-law’s involvement with the Bloody Four. No, he had in mind a more serendipitous meeting.
    Checking his saddle, he watched the lady’s well-bred hunter circle the stable groom at the end of a long leading ribbon. “Natural collection, nicely gaited.”
    Rory tossed a shock of red hair over a nose sprinkled with freckles. “A right pretty mover she is, sir.”
    “Good morning, gentlemen.”
    Zeno pivoted toward the pleasant female voice. His jaw dropped and his mouth went dry. Days ago, he had observed a handsome, intriguing young lady take possession of Number 10. This morning, up close?
    She was stunning.
    Captured by her gaze, he noted crystal gray eyes framed by dark lashes. She studied him rather intently. Her features, though symmetrical, were quite overpowered by a rather predominant mouth, which at the moment tilted up at the ends. In fact, he could not be sure she wasn’t laughing at him. He stared a bit too long at those well-defined lips.
    She wore a riding habit in a shade that might be described as a medium blue—what would a lady call that hue? Beneath her jacket, a paisley waistcoat peeked out from under black velvet lapels. A top hat adorned with a netted veil completed the picture.
    He attempted to speak as his heart pounded too much blood from his brain. My word, this is going to be stimulating. An intriguing new neighbor related to a person of interest in his case against the dynamiters. A tantalizing mix of business and pleasure, indeed. “Pardon me, but I thought to bring around …?” Zeno gestured toward the circling equine.
    “Daisy.”
    He choked on the silly name for such a refined mount. “I was about to bring—Daisy—to your door, asI myself am riding this morning.”
    Her gaze moved up and down. “I assure you, sir, I am quite capable of getting to the Lyall Mews on my own, but I do appreciate the kind gesture, Mister—?”
    “Please forgive my indecorous manners, Mrs. St. Cloud.” He tipped his hat. “Zeno Augustus Kennedy, at your service.”
    “You know my name, sir?”
    “I do, madam. As it happens I am the owner of several row houses on Lyall Street. I admit to a cursory review of the applications I receive from my solicitor, but I am mindful enough to remember the name of a new tenant.”
    The groom positioned her horse at the mounting block. Before either male could offer a hand, she stepped into a stirrup, hoisted herself onto the saddle, and arranged her skirts.
    He noted the soft, supple leather of her riding boots before pivoting in the direction of the young stable hand. “Mrs. St. Cloud, may I introduce you to your groom?”
    “Rory O’Connor, ma’am.” The boy doffed his cap and nodded a bow.
    “Named after the King of Ireland, I presume?” Her smile was radiant. Of course she would have to have one of those.
    “Yes, ma’am.” The lad’s fair skin turned a vivid shade of pink, a striking mismatch against his fiery orange hair.
    “Very pleased to meet you, Rory.”
    “Likewise, ma’am.”
    She narrowed mercury eyes over the head of her shy groom. “So you are my landlord, then?”
    Zeno nodded a discreet bow. “We need not converse as lessor to lessee, but rather, my intention is to welcome you to the neighborhood. Perhaps I can answer questions or direct you to services around the vicinity of our small community?”
    “Shall we ride together, then? Show me points of interest. A short route to the track, once we’re in the park.”
    “Exactly, madam.” From the corner of his