In the Garden of Deceit (Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

cheeks and throat.
If she did not calm herself, her guilty demeanor would expose to
everyone what an amazing few minutes had just passed between Lord
Lonsdale and his bride.
    A
knock at the door and, upon permission, Betty entered the chamber. A
sly smile played on the maid’s mouth, and Amanda gritted her
teeth with embarrassment.
    “Not
one word, Betty, do you hear me? You abandoned me to-to…”
Flustered, she reached up to pat her mussed hair.
    “The
attentions of a handsome man?” There was laughter in her voice.
“I’m sorry, my lady, truly I am.”
    The
sound Amanda made was somewhere between a gulp and a splutter. Her
outrage must seem ridiculous under the circumstances. Being a fair
person, her sense of humor reasserted itself, and she found herself
grinning sheepishly.
    “Point
taken,” she conceded. Turning businesslike, she continued. “Our
company has begun to arrive?”
    “Yes,
ma’am. Your father is here and Lord Lonsdale’s mother.
There seems to be a pair of uncles, an aunt and a cousin, also
belonging to his lordship. And a much older uncle and aunt, the
Marquess of Sutherfield and his wife. He’s a real nabob that
one is, the likes o’ which this house has never seen.”
    Indeed. “Only family?”
    “For
the moment.”
    Even
as the maid spoke, the door chime pealed out again, and Amanda knew
that the evening had begun in earnest. Briskly, she instructed the
maid to help her dress. Many minutes passed before she was trussed up
once again in her finery. She wore the requisite crinoline under a
heavy satin ball gown, dark green with tiny cap sleeves off the
shoulder, modestly scooped neck, and nipped around the waist like a
second skin.
    She
sat at the dressing table and waited impatiently while Betty restored
some order to her hair, since James had seen fit to destroy all the
maid’s hard work. The result was a sleek upswept style that
suited her perfectly. Emeralds and diamonds at her ears and throat
were the final touch, a gift from her husband. The stones shone
brilliantly like her eyes, a dazzling promise of what was to come.
    When
Amanda left her bedchamber a short while later, she had never felt
lovelier, more desirable. Her heart was singing.

    ***

    The
earl entered his room, peeling off his shirt and wrinkled trousers,
searching through his trunk for newly-pressed ones. He rang for his
personal servant but knew he would be nearly dressed before the man
arrived. Against his will he was becoming accustomed to employing a
valet again. During his traveling days he had learned to take care of
himself, and he preferred not having someone who fussed over him.
    James
dreaded the coming party, hated formal affairs as he always had.
There was no way around tonight, however, so rather than dwell on the
next few hours, he chose to think about when he and Amanda would
finally be alone. This time uninterrupted.
    His
one taste of lovemaking with her had left his blood simmering. She
was not only beautiful, she was passionate, although he could see
that she was unnerved by such intense emotions. No man could ask for
more. Best of all, he liked her. Amanda was intelligent and kind, a
witty woman who kept him on his toes. He suspected theirs would not
always be a serene coupling.
    James
had feared, despite a worldlier viewpoint he had acquired over the
years, that he and Amanda would be a social mismatch. He need not
have worried. She was sophisticated and charming, well-bred if not
high-bred. His only real concern was that she might suffer slights
when he took her into society, not for his sake but hers. She
deserved the best, and he would slay the individual who hurt her.
    All
and all, the earl was well pleased with the unexpected turn his life
had taken. His money worries were over, and he had formed an alliance
with a woman who had significant potential for being a fine wife. And
lover. This last was eclipsing all else presently, which was not
admirable perhaps, but understandable given his new