Bewitching Kisses (Bewitching Kisses Series) Read Online Free PDF

grave.”
    Nick crossed the room and placed a kiss on the old woman’s cheek, inhaling the strong rose scent that clung to her clothing. “I broke fast with you just yesterday, Gran.”
    Agatha shrugged and pulled off her gloves from fingers bent with age. “If you’re too busy to spare a moment and a nip of sherry for your last living relative, then I shall just leave.”
    Nick rolled his eyes and moved to the side table, “Don’t work yourself into a tizzy, Gran. You know I am always glad to see you.” He handed her a small crystal glass filled with amber liquid, “Except when you foolishly venture out in to the worst storm of the season.” Punctuating his words lightning streaked the sky and thunder cracked on its wake. “See, the hem of your gown is wet.”
    Agatha frowned. “You watch your mouth, young man, and mind who you call foolish.” She downed her sherry in a single gulp and extended the glass for a refill.
    Nick cocked a brow as her reached for her glass. “ 'Tis not yet noon, Gran.”
    “I can tell time, Nicholas. It’s my legs that don’t work, not my mind. And at my age, if I feel a want for sherry, I don’t need you or the clock to grant me permission.” Snatching the filled glass from his hand, she again downed its contents. “And don’t go sending that wicked scowl of yours in my direction, young man, or I’ll send you out to cut a hickory switch, and don’t think I won’t.”
    Shaking his head and forcing the smile from his lips, Nick bent to stoke the fire. “What pressing business can I help you with, Madam Beaumont?”
    Agatha smiled and relaxed back in her chair. “Come to supper tonight. Cook is going to make your favorite, fried clams and oyster stew.”
    Nick sat on the chair before her, took the empty glass from her fingers and kept her hand firmly within his own. He felt the tremors that she tried so hard to hide. “I can’t today, Gran. I already have an engagement.”
    Agatha sent a shrewd glance in his direction. “And is it that prissy Marigold Thermont that you’ll be bedding tonight?”
    Nick’s laughter filled the room as he flopped back in his chair to stare at his grandmother. She was wizened and bent with age, wisps of white hair stuck out in all directions from a scrap of lace she wore on her head, and at two and seventy she was still sharp as a tack. “I can’t tell you that. You raised me to be a gentleman.”
    Agatha gave a snort. “I did nothing of the kind. You have no one to blame that on but yourself. Marigold, that’s a stupid name, but then she’s a stupid girl. Marigold. Ha, makes me want to sneeze each time I say it.” She waved her handkerchief before her face. “I’m too warm here, Nick, you made the fire too hot.”
    Nick rose and gently eased her chair away from the hearth. But before he could guess her intentions, Agatha’s hand shot out and scooped up the stack of invitations that rested on the corner of this desk. “Gran.” Nick reached for the correspondence, but she handed him only the empty envelopes as she quickly scanned several invitations before he could rescue those too.
    “Why does Mrs. Hawkins want to see you tomorrow?”
    Nick stacked the papers together and pointedly placed them in one of the desk drawers. “I won’t discuss that, either.”
    Agatha cocked her head as she watched him return to his chair near the fire. He was too handsome, she thought. Despite the fact that he refused to follow fashion and wear a wig, he had only to smile and the ladies swooned at his feet. “You’re up to no good, Nicky. You’d just better be careful that Master Hawkins doesn’t come home and take offense to what you’re planning. He’s liable to shoot you.”
    Nick returned her level stare. “For having tea with his wife?”
    “Ha!” Agatha cackled. “I never heard it called that before. But if you want to go and get yourself shot, that’s fine with me. The shock of it will probably kill me, but that’s fine, too. Just