Shana Galen Read Online Free PDF Page A

description. “Who is she this time?”
    “He’s dangling after Lady Henrietta, wife of Lord Randall.”
    “Randall? Not Edmund Randall?”
    “The same.”
    “The man is sixty if a day!”
    “Yes, and his new wife obviously appreciates the merits of a younger man. But if Middleton isn’t more circumspect in this affair, he may find himself with another glove at his feet and an appointment at dawn.” Freddie’s hand went to his collar, loosening it. “Randall was in the navy. His aim is no doubt much better than the chap who challenged Sebastian last. What was his name? Blake?”
    “I’ll talk to Middleton. It’s something to do besides spend my time with my brother’s in-laws.”
    Alex swallowed his drink and rose. He’d taken three or four steps when Freddie called, “I have a new Italian phrasebook. Call on me if it becomes necessary!” His laughter echoed through the room, and a few of the other club members smiled wryly at the jest.
    Alex raised his arm in an obscene gesture and kept walking.
     
    The next morning the sun shone through the windows of Alex’s carriage, promising a pleasant day. He hoped his meeting with Lord Brigham was aspleasant. Was it too much to ask that Lady Brigham, whose love of all things Italian was superseded only by her horrendous pronunciation of the language, wouldn’t be at home today? And after the temptations of the previous evening, was it too much to hope that their youngest daughter be absent as well? Unlikely, but a man could dream, couldn’t he?
    But by the time he’d arrived at the Brighams’ town house, Alex had convinced himself that even if Lucia was about, handling both her temper and his unwelcome attraction to her wouldn’t pose a problem. She was only a woman, he mused. Not any different from the rest of her species.
    After all, how unmanageable could one female be?

Chapter 4
    “B uongiorno!”
    Lucia jumped out of the chair she’d just taken as her mother swept into the cheery breakfast room.
    “ Buongiorno , mia figlias!”
    “ Buongiorno , Mamma ,” Lucia answered, trying to appear as though she’d meant to catapult to attention.
    Not fooled, Francesca gave her a questioning look before turning away from the sideboard to greet their mother. “ Buongiorno , Mamma .”
    Lady Brigham took both of Francesca’s hands in her own and kissed her elder daughter on both cheeks. Having arrived only moments before, Francesca still wore her gloves and hat.
    “ Mia dolce! ” Lady Brigham cooed, smiling at Francesca.
    Lucia watched and waited, familiar with her mother’s routine. Lady Brigham gave Francesca one more affectionate squeeze, then took her seat at thehead of the cozy beech table. She artfully arranged her white frock of sprigged muslin so that the folds flattered her figure, and finally, with a flick of her lace-bedecked wrists, summoned the footman waiting near the sideboard to pour her morning chocolate.
    Lucia took a breath and counted to ten. She’d just reached nine when her mother turned sharp blue eyes in her direction and began her daily inspection. Lucia squirmed, hoping the white muslin morning dress with small yellow flowers and her simple hair arrangement wouldn’t elicit comment. After everything she’d endured the night before, she simply couldn’t take one of her mother’s lectures today. Her mother’s gaze rested on her hair, and Lucia held her breath, clutching her hands in her lap.
    Then her mother nodded, and Lucia slowly released the pent-up air. Lady Brigham’s eyes drifted back to Francesca, now handing her hat to another footman. But her sister waved the man away when he offered to take her spencer.
    “You are not staying, cara ?” Lady Brigham stirred her chocolate with a dainty silver spoon.
    “I don’t know, Mamma .” Francesca took a seat across from Lucia but refused the footman’s offer of coffee or chocolate. “Ethan insisted we call this morning, but he still hasn’t told me why.”
    Lucia’s