Carnal Deceptions Read Online Free PDF Page B

Marcliffe?’
    Tess hadn’t realized she’d been frowning. “Why, I hardly know him. It would be difficult to form an opinion of someone I’ve only just met.” The truth was, she was amazed at how strong an opinion she’d already formed of Lord Marcliffe. “He seems a very fine man.”
    Lady Stadwell sat back down at the table and unfolded her napkin. “Then please sit and finish breakfast with us. The garden can wait. Haven’t the weeds all been plucked?”

    “Seems if you yank one, then two will grow in its place,” Tess responded with a smile. She walked to the sideboard and spooned eggs and oatmeal pudding onto a plate and topped the whole thing off with a slice of ham. She set the plate down and slinked back to her seat. “I ought to see to brewing some coffee for him. I know he prefers it to tea.”
    “He’ll make do with tea, dear.”
    Staring down at the biscuit on her plate, Tess nervously began fingering the table covering again. When the click of boot heels sounded in the entry hall, Tess neatly tore off one of the decorative tassels. She tucked it into her pocket and steadied her hands in her lap.
    Lady Stadwell glanced casually toward the doorway. “Back so soon, Nephew?”
    He filled the entrance. Tess peered up through her powdered lashes. Although he was dressed mostly in black, his presence made the shadowy dining room with its faded blue walls vibrate with light.
    He strolled to his aunt and bent down to kiss her on the head. She patted the hand he had placed on her shoulder. “Here I was convinced that you’d be watching for me.” He sat directly across from his aunt where Tess had placed the plate.
    “As if I don’t have better things to do than waste my time waiting for the unpredictable Lord Marcliffe. By the way, why do you not have that beast castrated? He is truly a menace. I have never seen such an ill-behaved animal.”
    He leaned forward slightly. “Ahh, so you were watching out the window for me.” Tess swallowed back a laugh. He caught her mirth and smiled in return.
    Lady Stadwell waved her hand. “Such conceit. But if it satisfies you to think that I was anxious for your return then imagine what you will. And you did not answer me. That horse will surely be the death of you.”
    “I do not have Dante castrated because there is no horse in England to match his speed and stamina. Once they have been cut, they are content to be fat and slow. Nothing slows Dante down.” He reached back and winced as he rubbed a shoulder. There was a tear in his coat. “Not even jutting tree branches, unfortunately.”
    “Good heavens, do you need a physician?” Lady Stadwell asked.
    “Not at all.” He rotated his shoulder. “Everything still appears to be attached.” Lord Marcliffe grabbed a fork and scrambled his oatmeal pudding around on his plate. “Mind you I had the man out to castrate Dante when just a colt. He took one look at the horse

    and turned around. Told me he’d rather take the knife to himself than get near that animal. After that, I gave up the thought completely.”
    “Must you always discuss such vulgar topics at table?” Lady Stadwell admonished. “I believe that you brought it up.” He added some salt to the bland food before taking
    another bite.
    “You know, Hortensia, I have a craving for some of your delectable pastries. Why don’t you see about getting some ingredients and do some baking for our guest,” Lady Stadwell suggested. “Cook has the afternoon off, so you will have the entire kitchen to yourself.”
    Tess was flustered that the attention had suddenly shifted to her. To mask her discomfort, she took a sip of tea and made a rather loud slurping sound in her haste. Lowering the cup, she nodded her agreement.
    “You have not said one word, Miss Calloway. So you are a baker? And how did you acquire that skill?” The thin threads of suspicion wove through Lord Marcliffe’s words.
    She could not fault him for being distrustful since she