Lost in a Royal Kiss Read Online Free PDF

but—”
    “My dear girl,” he said, cutting her off again with a smile so warm and enticing that the back of her neck started to tingle. “Dominic is welcome to stay with me, pending the king’s permission.”
    “He is?” she managed in a weak voice.
    “Yes. I simply wished to understand your reasoning.”
    “Oh.” She couldn’t help fidgeting with the tips of her gloves. “And you’re not offended by what I said?”
    His smile turned into a grin as he rose from his chair. She’d never seen that expression on his face, and it rendered her speechless. She was still struggling to respond when he came around the desk and gently pulled her to her feet.
    “Actually, I’m rather impressed by your analysis of my character. It shows a great deal of perception.” He loomed over her, big and alarmingly attractive. Linnet had never thought of Sir Anthony as a man who could seduce a woman with only a look, but present circumstances were making her change her mind.
    “And I’m flattered that you think of me enough to have made that analysis,” he said in a rumbling voice that sent the tingles from her neck straight down her spine.
    “Ah, as you know,” she stammered, “one can find many interesting objects of study at the Court.” Splendid. Now she was babbling again.
    Linnet took a step back, hitting the seat of her chair. Sir Anthony’s hand shot out to hold her steady. She stared up at him, transfixed by the heat in his gaze as his thumb stroked gently over the inside of her elbow. The thin silk of her gown was no impediment to a touch that felt like a lingering caress.
    “Careful, my dear,” he murmured in a voice as deep and dark as midnight. “We can’t have you hurting yourself.”
    She bobbed her head and pulled her arm from his grip. “Thank you, Sir Anthony. And I’m sure Dominic will be very grateful to you, once we tell him of his new living arrangements.”
    The disconcerting heat disappeared from his eyes, replaced by surprise. “You didn’t tell him of your plans?”
    Linnet sighed. “I’m sorry. I know that makes me a coward, but it’s been such a difficult day already. I wasn’t sure how he would react.” She truly hoped Sir Anthony wasn’t going to reconsider his decision.
    Sir Anthony simply raised an imperious eyebrow. “I imagine he won’t be very happy about it, since I’ll be thwarting his desire for revenge and keeping him away from Chloe, at least for now.”
    She nodded, feeling ashamed. “If you’ll just give me a few moments with him—”
    He shook his head. “I’ll take care of it.”
    “But it’s my responsibility, and I think Dominic will likely take the news better from me.”
    “I doubt it,” he said after a moment’s consideration.
    She couldn’t help bristling. As far as she was concerned, she’d prevented today’s incident from turning into an unmitigated disaster, and she was very well able to tell Dominic about his new living arrangements.
    “That’s very kind of you, I’m sure,” she said, resisting the impulse to glare at him. Blast him, he knew it, too, because he was starting to get that coolly amused look in his eyes. “I’m partly responsible for what happened today, and I should be the person to break the news to Dominic.”
    Any trace of amusement was wiped from Sir Anthony’s face. “Don’t be foolish, Linnet. You are not responsible at all. And since Dominic is now under my care—” He held up a hand to cut off her protest. “This is what you wanted, and you must trust me to do what is appropriate. The best thing you can do now is return to Kew and see to Chloe’s comfort.”
    She eyed his calm, implacable features. He was doing exactly as she had wished, but she couldn’t help worrying. Linnet was used to dealing with children like Dominic. Sir Anthony wasn’t. “I still think it best if I see him before I go. So I can reassure him that everything will be fine.”
    All but rolling his eyes, Sir Anthony took her elbow in