Return of the Viscount Read Online Free PDF Page A

military bearing and air of quiet confidence. He was young, she reminded herself.
    Lord Blackthorne, neatly, conservatively, dressed in dark coat and trousers, stared back at Oliver, nonplussed. She didn’t know if she expected him to wear his uniform, but she was relieved he hadn’t. Oliver didn’t need to be reminded of their days in India—and frankly, neither did she.
    Penelope’s worried frown cleared upon Cecilia’s arrival. “There you are! And aren’t we all just starving? Lord Blackthorne must be, after his journey from London.”
    â€œIt’s not that far from Town,” Oliver said sullenly. “A few hours by horse.”
    â€œThe weather and his injury might have affected his travel, Oliver,” Cecilia said. “But why don’t you lead the way.”
    She was paired up with Lord Blackthorne, who held out his arm, and she placed her hand on it. She could feel the tight, hard muscles of his forearm, and it made something strange swirl around in her stomach. Never had touching a man seemed so fraught with intriguing danger. Releasing him as soon as was proper, she allowed him to guide her chair beneath her.
    The table could easily seat fifty people, but they sat together at one end. She wondered if Talbot had ignored the family dining room to make sure that Lord Blackthorne understood the importance of the family he’d married into.
    â€œSit at Oliver’s left, my lord, as our honored guest,” Cecilia murmured.
    He nodded, and she slowly let out her breath as he walked away and sat down opposite her. Penelope perched on a chair to her right, her expression fond as she looked at Oliver, then hesitant, perhaps even eager, as she studied Lord Blackthorne. Cecilia wondered what Penelope had said to Oliver because his sullen dark glances were no true indication, and she felt another twinge of sadness. As the earl and host, he might have begun the conversation, but he said nothing, only eating the first course, acting as removed as a little boy.
    She saw Lord Blackthorne studying him, and she felt a flare of embarrassment and exasperated tenderness all at the same time. In some ways, Oliver had been more her child than her mother’s, especially after the death of his identical twin when they were only children. She touched the locket she always wore, with the miniatures of both her brothers laughing as if to each other.
    It took her a long moment to get beyond that memory. “Lord Blackthorne, how was your journey from India?”
    â€œUneventful, thank you, Lady Blackthorne.”
    â€œThe steamships make the journey in only six weeks or so, which is far more pleasant.” She gave a faint shudder. “I remember the six months’ journey on sailing ships. My mother had a delicate constitution and spent much of the time in her bunk.”
    Oliver casually said, “So, Blackthorne, tell us the real reason you married my sister, sight unseen.”
    â€œOliver!” Cecilia cried.
    Michael had been expecting this, so he wasn’t all that surprised. Young Lord Appertan should be concerned about his sister—but Michael sensed there was so much more going on. The young man seemed immature and didn’t even attempt to hide it. It was hard to believe he was the son of a military hero. But, then again, Appertan’s father had not often been a part of his life the last ten years or so.
    Her face a pretty pink as if with embarrassment, Cecilia said, “My marriage is none of your concern, Oliver. You weren’t my guardian.”
    â€œBut I am your brother, and the earl.”
    Michael answered honestly, “I married your sister because she asked me to.”
    Cecilia winced.
    By letter, she had seemed to him to be a woman who did what was necessary, even when it meant marrying a stranger. But she didn’t want her brother to know the details? Michael began to wonder who was in command here.
    â€œYou’re that