Redeeming the Deception of Grace Read Online Free PDF Page A

undermining her daughter ' s indignation . With a small smile , she cupped Grace ' s cheek , then moved toward the parlor.
    Lady Jarvais ' s explanation puzzled Ewan . What was she doing? H e shifted uneasily on his feet, wondering what Lady Jarvais had up her sleeve . As he watched her leave , she turned slightly and winked in his direction, affirming his suspicions that she was up to something. Before he could react she was gone.
    " That ' s not what you said ! And you call me the liar! " Grace accused in a hoarse whisper.
    " I, er, well … " Ewan was unsure of how to continue . If he affirmed that indeed Lady Jarvais was behind his involvement , then he ' d be calling her a liar to her own daughter. Unwise. Especially in Grace ' s fit of temper at the moment. But if he agreed with Lady Jarvais ' s explanation , then he would be implicating himself as a liar, the very thing he held over Grace ' s head with glee. Therefore he reverted back into the eleven - year - old pest.
    " My dear, " he began with his practiced patronizing tone that he used often on Grace , simply to ruffle her feathers. " You r mother and I both agreed on the situation. Besides, what ' s done is done . It no longer matters who came up with the brilliant idea , " h e added with a smile, knowing he had once again gained the upper hand .
    Grace scowled, her wide lips pulling into a thin line of consternation . Her green eyes squinted as she evaluated his words, testing them for a weakness to exploit . He took the moment of silence to truly consider her. His eyes roamed over her riding outfit, appreciating the nip and tuck of the fabric that accentuated her perfect curves. She was beautiful when she was angry.
    " Stop , " Grace commanded.
    " What? " Confused, Ewan snapped his eyes from the curve of her hip to her flashing eyes.
    " Stop doing that . " Grace spoke in a low tone that he found seductive regardless of the anger behind its tone.
    " Doing w hat ? " h e asked , uncomfortable that s he ' d caught his brazen gaze. Normally he wouldn ' t have minded had a woman noticed him appreciating her body, but this was Grace .
    " Do not examine me as though you ' re undressing me with your wicked eyes , " s he accused, seeming to be overly frustrated .
    Ewan understood the sensation all too readily . He was beginning to feel frustrated himself, just not the same way as Grace .
    " I was not. " He was turning into a liar, a deceptive liar. All because of Grace and her incessant need to call him on every rakish move. She was exasperating, yet rather than annoying him , it drove him to distraction , and heaven help him , he found it alluring . An unwelcome distraction in wh ich he found himself wondering what she tasted like, what her skin felt like, and he was frustrated at the realization that he had no idea and likely never would.
     
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    Grace was trying not to show the fevered reaction she immediately had experienced once she noticed the way Ewan ' s gaze drank her in . It ' s all a ruse , s he repeated to herself . Ewan might, might find her attractive , but it was nothing more . If she succumbed to his charm , she would simply become part of the parade of faceless bodies that had g race d his bed . That was not going to happen .
    Centering her focus required her to pull from all her inner strength to combat her feverish emotions . S he remained calm and collected on the outside as the storm warred within .
    Curse him for the effect he ha s on me !
    What she needed was a distraction, so s he closed her eyes , momentarily thinking of Lord Shiply . Soon he would arrive , and she would be blessedly distracted from Ewan . He couldn ' t get there soon enough . As if her thoughts had called to him, she heard Taite answer the door and escort him into the foyer where she and Ewan were waiting.
    " Ahh, Lady Grace ! How lovely you look today! " Lord Shiply said charmingly as he strode forward, eyes only for Grace as he kissed her gloved hand . " Thank you , Lord