Armored Hearts Read Online Free PDF Page B

grandson.”
    “So, he’s always lived in this shire?”
    “Yes.”
    “Lord? That means he holds a title?” Jessamine bit her lip as she took in the handsome young man. His honey-blond hair was short and stylish for the times. It was hard to tell with him sitting, but he looked tall even still. His white shirtsleeves were pushed up, revealing muscular forearms.
    “He doesn’t hold a true title yet. He will inherit the title, Earl of Pensees. Being the next in line to someone of top rank, he gets the courtesy title of Lord until the Earl passes his title to his grandson.” Tabitha pushed a strand of blonde hair that had escaped her ribbon, taking a glass of lemonade from a servant as they took a short break from the game.
    Jessamine took a glass, too. “So much to remember with English etiquette and proper titles. In America, the only lord we have is the Good Lord. Would you mind introducing me?”
    Tabitha returned her glass to the servant’s tray. “I don’t mind, but he will. Gareth hates introductions. He usually skips these things all together.”
    Jessamine returned her glass as well and glanced at the handsome young man. “Then why didn’t he skip today?”
    “Because it’s my birthday, and he knew if he didn’t come, it would disappoint me. He tries very hard not to do that.”
    “What if we made the introduction unavoidable? Then he wouldn’t be irritated with you for introducing us.”
    “How would we make it unavoidable?”
    “I have an idea.”
    ***

    Gareth watched the dark-haired girl pull away and motioned for Tabitha to move to the other side of the net.
    The girl was quite pretty. Gareth couldn’t help but notice as they volleyed the birdie back and forth. He let his eyes linger over her form longer than normal. He chided himself. No young lady wanted to be settled with a cripple for a husband unless she was only interested in his title. He could never suffer such shallowness in a woman.
    The dark-haired girl gave what looked like a nod to Tabitha who got a gleam in her eye and hit the shuttlecock with unnecessary force. Gareth wondered what they were up to when he noticed the birdie heading straight for him. The dark-haired girl ran backwards, trying to hit the thing, completely oblivious to Gareth directly in her path. Before he could move his chair out of her way, the girl tripped and landed squarely in his lap.
    Large, brown eyes returned his stare. She covered her mouth and giggled. “I’m so sorry.” She wiggled around in his lap, twisting until she gained her footing to stand.
    Gareth pushed her up to assist her and to keep from embarrassing himself.
    She backed away, and a red blush rose under her olive skin. “Again, sir, my apologies.” Her accent was clearly American.
    Gareth scowled back at her, adjusting his lap blanket. “You should watch where you’re going, miss.”
    Tabitha ran up to join them. “Gareth, are you all right?” She glanced over at her friend, eyes too wide. There was something said in that look which Gareth wasn’t sure about.
    “Yes, yes, I’m fine.” He winced at his tone. His answer was more cutting than his normal tone with Tabitha. It was the way he addressed everyone but her. Still, she wasn’t fazed by it.
    “Gareth, let me introduce you.” Tabitha gestured to the pretty, dark haired girl. “This is Miss Jessamine Cardinal Keller. She and her father are visiting from the United States.”
    Then she gestured to Gareth. “And this is Lord Tristan Gareth Smyth, future Earl of Pensees. His grandfather is my guardian and benefactor.”
    Jessamine made a quick curtsy. “Future Earl? Very nice to make your acquaintance.” She glanced up under long lashes and smiled.
    Gareth waved her off. “Yes, yes. Nice to make yours. Try to be more careful in the future.”
    Her grin widened as she peeked over at Tabitha. “Yes, of course. My apologies for landing in your lap like that.”
    Gareth’s pulse raced just a bit. He motioned again for them