Stealing a Lady's Heart: A Regency Fairytale (Fairfield Fairytales Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

world.”  He waved his hand in an airy way and laughed. “But you’re right, some of my brothers are getting a little crusty.”
    Good-natured grumbling rumbled through the room, then Will spoke, ‘I will see the manner set to right before I marry. I want to give my wife and children a good life.”
    Tom nodded, he clearly agreed, but Graham said nothing. Charlotte couldn’t seem to help herself.  She looked over at Graham, “And you?”
    “I don’t know that I will marry.” Graham shrugged.
    Charlotte felt disappointment course through her. So he was a rake. She should have trusted her first instincts about him. But his next answer rocked her.
    “I am the third son and unlikely to inherit. I have only locksmithing and war to fall back on. I don’t know what I might possibly give to a woman.”
    Charlotte’s mouth hung open. The answer was so honest; it completely shocked her. He was not at all like the men who loved only themselves. It would never occur to one of those men that they didn’t have enough to give a woman. This man was completely unselfish.
    She blushed from his answer and her response to it. “I have pried. I’m sorry.”
    His eyes danced, “Not at all, my lady, but the question must be returned. Why have you not married?”
    Why didn’t he call her Charlotte? She stared into the depths of his brown eyes. He had answered honestly, she would do the same. “I want to marry for love and I want a man who loves all of me. I like working with orphans. I like being in the country. I don’t want to spend all of my time attending parties in London. I am waiting for the right man to come along who will share that life with me and not just insist I live life his way.”
    “Your father is fine with that?”  Disbelief laced Graham’s voice.
    “No, he isn’t. He is entertaining suitors but…” She waved her hand. Hesitation and a hint of fear laced her voice.
    “But what?” Graham leaned in, pressing her for more information. She could see the concern on his face.
    “The only serious suitor has been the Marquess of Huntly. I don’t think my father is seriously considering him.  He is a little disconcerting and he has managed to scare any other suitors…” Charlotte realized she was revealing too much. “I am being silly.” She waved her hand.
    “We know the Scot you talk about. There are dark rumors that surround him. I am surprised you traveled this far north.”  Baron Fairfield looked deeply concerned.
    “Doesn’t he live on an island? I will travel nowhere near him…” Charlotte’s words were abruptly cut off.
    The front door of the manor burst open and a messenger bypassed the aging butler. “A message for the lady.” The messenger hurtled into the room as if demons were chasing him. His eyes were wild with fear. He stopped abruptly in front of Charlotte. Then he dropped a letter onto Charlotte’s lap. He sprinted back out as if the devil were nipping at his heals.
    “How strange,” Charlotte turned to the men in front of her.
    Baron Fairfield looked over her shoulder, “It bears the seal of the Marquess of Huntly.”
    “And we were just talking about him.” Charlotte felt a chill run down her spine.
    “Lass, forgive an old man, and open the letter in front of us or don’t open it at all.” The baron stepped in front of her to give her some privacy rather than reading over her shoulder.
    “Why?” The letter seemed to burn into her hand.
    “The Marquess is said to possess dark magic. It can’t be proven, but it’s a damn coincidence that you said his name and the letter appeared.” The baron’s voice was grim.
    Graham stepped on the other side of her. Without thinking, she reached for his hand and squeezed it. She suddenly wished she had already married. Charlotte could use the protection a good husband would offer.
    She let go of his hand and slowly, shaking slightly, broke the seal on the letter. She opened the flap, and unfolded the letter, quickly scanning