Hold Your Breath 02 - Unmasking the Marquess Read Online Free PDF Page A

rows of servants and nodded to the man closest to them.
    The man turned to the lines of servants, voice booming. “I present to you, The Most Honourable, The Marchioness of Southfork.”
    Clapping reached Reanna’s ears, and she realized as Killian walked her forward that this entire display was for her. Embarrassed, and heart beating even more wildly at the hundred eyes looking at her, she swallowed and managed a hesitant smile. Of course Killian would go through this much trouble for her. He had told her time and again that he wanted to make her happy.
    They ascended the steep stone stairs, and Reanna was greeted with cavernous majesty as they stepped into the three-story entrance, capped off with a glass-domed ceiling. Bas-relief scenes of Greek mythology played out high on the walls, descending from the ceiling—from the flight of Icarus, to Prometheus and an eagle, to the nine muses. Mythology was the one thing her father had let her read past her studies, so Reanna instantly recognized all of the scenes.
    In front of them, twin staircases intertwined up three levels, and alcoves dotted each floor in symmetrical fashion. Reanna fought dizziness as she took in the magnitude of the entrance.
    After allowing her a few minutes, Killian saved her from her extensive gawking by pulling her attention to the rest of the house.
    “I know you must be tired, Reanna, but would you like a short tour of some house highlights before we dine?” There was pride in Killian’s voice, and Reanna was so excited, she couldn’t imagine saying no.
    “I would absolutely love a tour. And it can be just as long as you like.”
    She nearly giggled with delight at her surroundings. Nothing she had ever lived in was as grand as Killian’s home, and she fought again the urge to pinch herself. How had she been lucky enough to marry him? And this. This was opulence defined. Her father had been wealthy at one time, but he had never felt the need to spend much on their surroundings or homes. At the thought, guilt panged her. She was being entirely too disrespectful of her father’s choices.
    Killian led her from the foyer, and what should have taken an hour, ended up taking two because Reanna lingered in each and every room. By the time they had made it to the dining hall, Killian had to interrupt the tour so they could dine. Reanna insisted they do so quickly, so as to get back to the tour. After dining, he finished the tour with the arboretum, the ballroom, his study, and the library.
    The library held an exquisite collection of first editions. Two stories tall, it somehow managed to be cozy with richly lacquered wainscoting touching off from a burgundy-hued Persian rug that fit snugly to the room’s size. Navy blue velvet chairs spread casually throughout the room, and Reanna decided this was her favorite area in the house.
    Standing in the middle of the library, she spied several tiny figures from around the arm of a chair, and went to investigate. A chess set, with onyx and ivory pieces, greeted her. She picked up one of the figures and studied it, tracing a finger over the intricately carved face.
    “Do you play?” Killian asked.
    Reanna shook her head and put the piece gently back on the board. “No, I am afraid you can count chess among one of the many things that I wish I knew how to do, but do not.” She smiled wryly. “You must be tired of hearing about all the things I do not know how to do.”
    Killian shrugged. “You are young—you have a long life to learn all the things you have yet to.”
    “I hope so.” She turned fully to him. “I feel as though I am just coming alive. There was so much to see and do in London, that I wonder now how I ever spent my days in Suffolk. And I am so looking forward to all that you will show me.”
    Reanna could have sworn Killian gave her the oddest look, but it was gone before she even really noticed it, much less figured it out. He smiled down at her. “Your optimism is charming.”
    He