Masked Love (A Christmas Regency Novella) Read Online Free PDF

it’s time for the documents to be drawn and signed. There’s the matter of the dowry and … ”
    He swigged his remaining drink. It was going to be a long afternoon.
    Adrian closed his eyes for a moment, and the sweetness of Isabelle’s singing voice washed over him.
    Yes, a very long afternoon indeed.

 
     
     
     

     
    After returning to the manor, Isabelle had started toward her room when Adam the butler informed her that Lady Theodosia had need of her, so she changed direction and went to her lady’s bedroom. There she found her charge sitting beside her mirror, her eyes closed.
    “May I help you?” Isabelle asked.
    “I have a headache.”
    Without a word, Isabelle walked over and massaged her temples.
    “Oh, thank you. That feels wonderful. My last maid pressed too hard and made my headaches far worse.”
    Lady Theodosia often had headaches, so Isabelle had quickly learned the right amount of pressure to use. She also knew it was best for her not to speak.
    “Good servants are hard to find,” Lady Theodosia continued. “Have you thought of what you will do after I’m married?”
    Cry. Curl up into a ball. Rip out my hair.
    “I was wondering if you would be opposed to staying on and coming with me. Move in with us.”
    Isabelle was so shocked, and devastated, at such a request that her fingers stilled. Her palms grew dewy, and her fingers slipped. To recover, she quickly resumed massaging.
    “Ouch!” Lady Theodosia cried. “You’re hurting me.”
    “I’m so sorry.” Isabelle backed away, her head down.
    “Are you feeling quite all right? You seemed fine this morning, but then with the singing and now … Are you ill?”
    “I’m fine, milady. A little tired, is all.”
    “You’re sure nothing is wrong?”
    Isabelle still couldn’t look her lady in the eye and shook her head.
    “All right then. Helen and Pamela should be arriving shortly for luncheon. Will you serve us?”
    She blinked then fell into a curtsey. “Whatever my lady wishes.” Normally, Lady Theodosia stated Isabelle would help, not ask first. Her lady’s cheeks were quite pale, but her eyes were sparkling. She was happy.
    Because her friends were coming over? Or because she was engaged to a wonderful, handsome man?
    A man who stole time away from her to waste on her maid.
     
    ***
     
    Isabelle threw herself into her duties and poured more tea in Lady Pamela’s porcelain teacup. The fruit was running low—Lady Pamela had a tendency to eat enough for two to three men with hearty appetites—and Isabelle rushed to the kitchen to fetch more. An apple threatened to fall, and she struggled to catch it and not drop any others when hushed tones came to her small ears from the other room, and she strained to listen.
    “He was the most handsome man I had ever seen,” Lady Theodosia was saying.
    Me too. Not that she had seen many handsome men, at least not that she had danced with.
    “And brown eyes, just like our tea. And hair as red as a flame.” Lady Theodosia giggled.
    An apple dropped. So did a pear. And Isabelle’s jaw. Brown eyes, red hair? Why Lady Theodosia wasn’t talking about Lord Adrian after all! Adrian had green eyes and brown hair. Heat had radiated from his strong body as they sat near each other on the log, heat that now caused her cheeks to flush.
    She grabbed the ripe fruit and stole another moment to compose herself before walking inside the room. None of the ladies looked over at her; it was as if she was invisible.
    As soon as she refilled the fruit bowl, Lady Pamela reached for one. She bit into the apple, and some juice sprayed onto the tablecloth. Isabelle would have to remove the stain. “Do you know his name?”
    Isabelle stood behind her lady’s chair, against the wall, in case any of the trio would have need for her. Careful to keep her churning emotions to herself, she kept her gaze on the back of Lady Theodosia’s blond strands.
    “No. Nor where he’s from or anything about him at all.” Her