Princess in Disguise Read Online Free PDF

something of a troublemaker.”
    He grinned over his glass. “What gave you that idea? That I would kiss a beautiful
     maiden sleeping peacefully by a warm fire? Or that I would offer a lady such strong
     spirits within a short time of meeting her?”
    “Both of those.” She lifted her glass. “And your smile. It promises much . . . what
     is the word? Ah yes, mischief.”
    He waited as she took a sip, watching her over the edge of his own glass. To his surprise,
     she didn’t sputter or cough as he’d seen other women do when they tried strong spirits . So it is not your first time, eh?
    “Mmm.” She took another sip and nodded thoughtfully. “Very nice. Smooth. An excellent
     finish, too.”
    “Ah, an aficionado.”
    “I’ve never had Scotch before. But vodka, yes . ” She held her glass to the light and eyed the color. “In my country, the women drink
     with the men after dinner. There is none of this separation of the sexes, as you do
     here.”
    “You disapprove of that?”
    “Very much. Do you like it so?”
    “To be honest, I’ve never thought of it. But now that you mention it, it does seem
     rather silly. All the men do is retire to the study, sip whiskey or port, and wait
     until it’s time to join the women. I daresay the women do the same: watch the clock
     and welcome the rest of the party when the time comes.”
    She smiled her approval. “So it seems to me.”
    “Now that you’ve brought this astounding wrong to my attention, at the very next dinner
     party I attend, I promise to break with tradition.”
    She chuckled, the sound so rich and lush that it pulled him forward. “Lord Kintore,
     we will get along well, you and I. Especially if I continue to benefit from your taste
     in Scotch.”
    “I shall see to it that you never go without. This inn is known for its good meals,
     clean linens, impeccable Scotch, and a certain large brass tub.”
    She brightened. “They have a tub?”
    “Oh ho, and what a tub. If one must get stuck in the snow, this inn has much to recommend
     it.”
    “Then we were both fortunate that it snowed when it did. I shall buy some of this
     Scotch for my uncle, the k—” Her gaze dropped and she took a quick drink.
    “Your uncle, the . . . ?” he quizzed.
    “It is of no consequence.” She tapped her glass with a slender finger. “My lord, I
     must warn you that I may be bidding against you for the bottles you requested from
     Mr. MacDuffie.”
    “Bid away. I like a good contest.” While she took another sip, he allowed his gaze
     to roam over her. She was a tiny thing, this lady of Oxenburg; she barely reached
     his shoulder, and yet she kissed with amazing passion, and her breasts were deliciously
     full. What more could he ask for? Well . . . it would be good to see her in something other than unrelenting black.
     Say, a thin lawn night rail.
    His gaze moved to her left hand, where a pale circle of skin on her ring finger indicated
     that a wedding ring had been removed recently. Ah, that explains the black weeds; she’s a widow. That also explains why she didn’t
     shy away when I kissed her. “So tell me, Miss—er, Mrs. Petrovna, why were you going through my pockets?”
    “I did no such thing. When my guard placed you on the settee, your watch fell from
     your pocket. I was merely admiring it.” She shot him a sideways look. “The locket,
     too.”
    She saw Jane’s portrait . His merry thoughts scattered like dead leaves before a wind and his jaw tightened.
     “The locket is a family heirloom.”
    She raised her brows, obviously waiting.
    He stood and crossed to the tray and poured more Scotch into his glass.
    Mrs. Petrovna watched him, her long lashes obscuring her expression. “Where were you
     headed in this storm?”
    Glad that her question had nothing to do with the portrait of Jane, he answered, “I
     was on my way to visit some friends for a small house party. And you?”
    “We are to visit the Duchess of Roxburghe’s