Courtesan's Kiss Read Online Free PDF

refusing to allow the groom’s doubt. The carriage hit dry land a moment later, the two grooms and David none the worse despite trousers wet to the knees.
    “What an excellent piece of teamwork,” Miss Castellano called out, applauding as she spoke. “You are a fine driver, sir,” she added to the coachman with one of her brilliant smiles. “I felt as safe as if I were in a chair in my own home.”
    “Thankee, miss.” He blushed hard and Lord David wondered what Miss Castellano would do with this latest conquest.
    No wonder Lord William had grown tired of her behavior. She flirted with every man she met, no matter his age or state in life. Praise and smiles won them over every time.
    “Lift me down, Lord David,” she called out to him, even though he had begun to move ahead.
    “No,” he called over his shoulder and rode on, out of sight of her amused pout and out of hearing range of her laughter.

    I F HE THOUGHT his use of her favorite word would upset her, then Lord David Pennistan was much mistaken. Mia wanted to keep her place on top of the coach, but thought she should see how Janina had weathered the crossing.
    “Do not climb down, signorina.” Janina leaned out the window, her face rather more pale than before. “Stay up there, if you please. I would prefer to be alone.”
    “All right. It is not much farther and then you can go to bed.”
    “Grazie,”
the maid said as she disappeared back inside.
    Mia felt selfish but her seat in the driver’s box was too entertaining to abandon when she really could not help Janina. She decided she would make sure that her sister had a bed of her own at the inn.
    Mia loved the fresh air and the expanded view from the coachman’s seat. Why did anyone sit inside when they could be up here and watch the world of nature parade by? The trees and shrubbery, the birdsong and the small animals were far better company than the velvet squabs and ticking carriage clock.
    She supposed it would cause some raised eyebrows when they reached the inn. She would pretend that she would have been sick if she rode inside. Or she could say that the inside of the conveyance felt wet after they crossed the ford. Everyone would understand that she wanted to avoid a chill.
    Or she could convince John Coachman to make it look as if she had cajoled him into allowing her to handlethe reins. No, that would not do at all. To be driving such a team would show a shocking lack of feminine grace.
    By the time they reached the inn just outside of Worcester hours later, fatigue made her bones ache. Mia felt so road weary that she did not care what people thought. The sun had set, and the last light faded as they came into the empty stable yard.
    Most likely they were the last to arrive this evening. Light poured from every window, and Mia assumed any number of travelers had arrived ahead of them, headed home from the London Season.
    Lord David had arranged for a private parlor and told her that a cold dinner awaited them as soon as she found her room and freshened up. At her request, he asked for another room for her maid, but reported back that the inn had no extra beds available.
    Mia was surprised but appreciative when Lord David gave Janina his arm. She did need help with the stairs; her knees barely supported her. Mia hurried ahead, her energy renewed by the obvious comfort of the inn.
    At the top of the steps she all but ran into Lord Belfort and his wife. Newly married, the two were bickering; Mia could tell by the tone of their voices.
    “Good evening, my lady.” Mia curtsied in greeting. The Belforts, Lady Belfort especially, looked startled, and Lady Belfort drew next to her husband, their squabble apparently forgotten at the sight of a friend from last Season. Though Mia would not call Lorraine Belfort’s brief curtsy welcoming.
    Mia gave them her most gracious smile, determinedto test the depth of their lack of sympathy. “Lord David Pennistan is escorting me to his brother and my