Lady Belling's Secret Read Online Free PDF Page B

bawdy houses. He had absolutely no plans to renew old female acquaintances.
    It looked like another evening sorting through the mounds of mind-numbing papers in his father’s old study.
    Capital.
    When Masters delivered a note at half past seven the next morning, Thomas was still up from the night before, the deeds and legal documents and such long abandoned on the massive desk. Instead, signs that the furniture had been rearranged gave his man pause.
    “My lord, you have footmen to do this for you.” Masters balanced the missive on a silver salver as he surveyed the changed room.
    “I couldn’t asleep anyway,” Thomas said by way of explanation. He pointed to three long bundles of rolled-up Persians. “Have them exchange these rugs for others from around the house. I rather fancy the one in the morning room.”
    “Of course. First thing.”
    The note was written in a woman’s hand. “Meet me in the park at the Serpentine Bridge—half past 9.” It was signed with an elaborate letter F.
    It had niggled at his mind that Francesca had snuck away the day before, and she hadn’t even been at home for him to discuss it with her. Had she been shy afterwards? Embarrassed? He supposed it was foolish to be giddy about seeing her again, but he couldn’t wipe off the grin plastered all over his face.
    He’d have to hurry if he was going to make his tête-à-tête on time.
    Francesca arrived at the bridge early. She was nervous and fretful and sincerely feared that she might cast up her breakfast in the bushes. There was no one in the park at this hour, and certainly not at the location she had chosen. All the nannies and children were off in the meadows, gossiping and playing. She had even managed to sneak out of the house without her maid in tow. This was a conversation she didn’t want any witnesses for.
    She rubbed her stomach and scoped out the bushes anew, but she wrenched herself away and paced back to the bank of the pond. Maybe she should have brought Anna with her. She could really use some moral support. She snorted. Moral support, bah. She had no business thinking that phrase. Oh, she could just kill herself for getting into the position where she had to have this conversation.
    She whirled around to start her stride back towards the hateful bushes, and there he was, some twenty yards away. He was breathtakingly beautiful. Then he smiled at her in a way that made her heart literally ache.
    Thomas’s expression melted when Francesca turned on her heel and fled towards the bushes. Her discomfort was somewhat relieved when she reemerged, holding a handkerchief to her mouth.
    “My darling?” Thomas strode towards her, his hand extended to take hers in his own. “Are you all right?”
    Francesca pushed her free hand in front of her, the palm out to halt his advance. “Yes.”
    “Are you sure? You look pale.”
    “No, I’m not sure,” she said just above a whisper. Thomas took another step in her direction, but he stopped when she retreated from him.
    “How did you get here?”
    Francesca pointed to a carriage a bit farther down the path. It was close, but still out of hearing distance.
    “Why did you sneak away? I was disappointed to find you gone.” His smile was so charming and his handsome face so dear to her, it made her tremble knowing what she must tell him. She didn’t immediately answer, but he didn’t seem to notice. “I’m going to see Christian this afternoon.” Thomas’s face was lit up with excitement. Francesca wished she could feel even one whit of the joy that shone on his face.
    “Why?” she gasped, fearing his answer and suspecting she already knew why.
    “After yesterday? You know why.” Thomas took another step towards her, both hands out, as if eager to touch her. She held up her hand and, when she made an abrupt yelping sound, he stopped. His brows knit together in consternation. “What’s wrong? I don’t understand you.”
    Francesca smile was brittle, and she was very