More Than Charming Read Online Free PDF Page A

neck cloth his valet had set out. He shrugged into a waistcoat of deep blue, and the color immediately brought to mind Catherine’s beautiful eyes.
    “I’m a fool,” he grumbled.
    Later, James stood with some acquaintances at the Markham’s bash when he spied Catherine in the doorway. The dress she wore, so dark a pink it was nearly red, hugged her luscious figure. Her hair was piled in an artful mass atop her head and curls framed her face. He watched as she looked about, her beautiful eyes opened wide as she listened to something her sister said. A smile spread across her face and James mirrored the motion. The widow commanding his attention must have seen where his was focused for she harrumphed beside him.
    Priscilla Brooks, Lady Brookdale, shot a glance at Catherine, her eyes narrowed. “Oh, there is Catherine Talbot. Quite a shame, that.”
    “What?” James said absently, turning to face her fully.
    “Ah, to think she let Waltham get away.”
    He frowned slightly. “I believe Catherine was quite fortunate to let him ‘get away,’ as you put it.”
    Priscilla hid her vexation but barely. James knew she wanted an assignation—she’d been after him for some time. He doubted she’d lacked for lovers over the past year he’d been in the country, or even since the night three years ago when he’d grappled with her lover John on the stairwell of his best friend Kane’s London townhouse. John, Kane’s brother, had tried to kidnap Kane’s wife Becca, but James managed to wrestle him away from her. John was killed when they both toppled over the banister, but Priscilla didn’t appear to miss him overmuch.
    “I daresay the scandal has aged the poor thing,” Priscilla said, placing her hand on James’s arm.
    His brows shot up. “Aged her?” He turned back to run his eyes over Catherine once more. “She has matured, that’s certain.”
    Priscilla clutched his arm a bit too tightly. “Roberts,” she purred, leaning a bit closer than was proper. “I would so enjoy a stroll on the terrace with you.”
    James still stared at Catherine, but he hadn’t missed the carnal invitation in Priscilla’s voice. While he wouldn’t accept her advances, he didn’t want her to feel slighted. She was a viper of the first order and he wouldn’t want to turn her venom in Catherine’s direction. It turned out that Priscilla and John had been well suited.
    James, Leed, and Chester had been assisting Kane with an investigation over some missing funds from his estate when they uncovered it was John who had been stealing from his own brother. John had seduced the newly-widowed Priscilla and used her carriage to make an attempt on Kane’s life, which had very nearly cost him his young bride, Becca.
    He turned and forced a smile. “Perhaps after supper, Priscilla,” he said, patting her hand as he would a child’s. When he turned back to the entrance, he noticed Catherine was gone. As he searched the room for her slender form, he could feel Priscilla tugging on his arm.
    “Oh, Roberts,” she whined. “I demand you dance with me this very moment!”
    He relented and led her out onto the dance floor. As he twirled her about the room, his eyes fell on Catherine where she sat delicately sipping a glass of punch. Their eyes locked. He heard Priscilla’s voice calling to him in irritation and forced his attention back to his dance partner.
    “Roberts,” she said. “You didn’t answer me.”
    “I’m sorry, Priscilla. I was momentarily distracted.”
    “I offered you a ride in my carriage this evening.” She leaned closer. “I brought the barouche.”
    Her intentions were clear to James. He stiffened and held her away from him without losing a step. “No thank you, Lady Brookdale.”
    Priscilla gave an unladylike snort and took herself off the dance floor just as the number was ending. James watched her go with a flash of anger. What did she think he was? He stalked off the floor, shaking his head. Did she truly