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

sense to know when to leave.”
    She
sent him a coy smile. “You seem a bit anxious, my lord.”
    His
blue gaze deepened. “Witch,” he said. “You’re
enjoying yourself?”
    “Most
tedious gathering I’ve ever attended.”
    James
laughed outright, garnering attention from those dancing around them.
He bussed her lightly on the lips. Amanda was aware of the other
couples sharing knowing looks, and she felt her face warm.
    “Have
I embarrassed you?” he asked, peering into features she knew
had turned pink.
    “You
know you have,” she said tartly.
    “And
you are angry with me?”
    “Being
angry with you would be counterproductive for our immediate plans,
don’t you think?”
    “Yes,
indeed. Counterproductive.”
    Again
James laughed, a full-throated guffaw that announced to the gathering
just how delighted Earl Lonsdale was with his new wife. He swung her
in a tight circle, and Amanda followed his lead, never missing a
step.
    “Would
you stop? Everyone is looking at us.”
    “Then
we’ve given them what they came for, a man and wife in love,
eager for their honeymoon to begin.”
    He
sounded so happy her heart tumbled in her breast.
    “Have
you been introduced to all my family?” he asked as the music
ended, guiding her to the edge of the dance floor.
    “You
have more aunts and uncles and cousins than anyone I’ve ever
met.”
    “Just
one sibling, though. I wish you could meet my sister Ilene, but she
lives in Scotland and couldn’t travel because her time is
almost upon her. Marcus—that’s her husband—refused
to let her risk the journey.”
    “I’m
sure we’ll meet eventually.”
    “Who
else is there…?” His gaze wandered the crowded ballroom
then lit with pleasure. “Uncle Simon and Aunt Cassandra!”
James grabbed his wife’s hand and pulled her across the room.
    This
must be the nabob and his wife, Amanda thought as she and James
joined an elderly couple standing at the edge of the dance floor. She
remembered them from earlier at dinner, but they had been sitting
across the table and down from James and her.
    “Uncle
Simon, Aunt Cassandra, so glad you could attend.” Without
ceremony James grabbed his uncle’s hand and pumped it
enthusiastically. He kissed the older woman’s knuckles before
stepping back. “Amanda, let me introduce you to Simon
Fitzgerald, Marquess of Sutherfield, and his lovely wife Cassandra.
Simon is my mother’s uncle, her mother’s brother.”
    The
marquess and his wife nodded graciously, as handsome an elderly
couple as Amanda had ever seen. Lord Sutherfield—surely at
least eighty—had a full head of white hair and was very tall,
his posture that of a much younger man. His lady had clearly been a
great beauty in her day, and though her hair sported some gray, much
of the vibrant red of her youth still remained. Amanda like both of
them immediately.
    “A
pleasure to meet you, Amanda,” The old man said, taking her
hand in his two large ones. “I suspect you are just what my
rascal of a nephew needs.”
    “Now
see here, sir,” James began then laughed. “I suspect you
are right.”
    “Welcome
to the family, my dear,” Cassandra said.
    Several
minutes into their conversation, James looked up and apparently again
saw someone he recognized. “Will you excuse me, Uncle? I
haven’t greeted my father’s sister yet.”
    Amanda
took her leave of Lord and Lady Sutherfield as she was once more
hauled across the ballroom.
    “Aunt
Henry!” he said. “Come, she’s my favorite.
    “ Aunt Henry?”
    “Henrietta,
actually. Little sister to Ham and Harry—and my father, of
course. You may not care for her son Derrick. Can’t stand him
myself. Takes after his father Albert who is, I’m pleased to
say, quite dead.”
    “James!”
    “Truth
is truth, and Aunt Henry will agree with me.”
    As
they came upon her, Aunt Henry looked at James with true affection.
“I’m so happy for you, dear. She is a joy.”
    He
beamed. “My sentiments