The Devil Rogue Read Online Free PDF Page B

then? ”
    “ B eggin’ your pardon, miss , how rude of me ! Yes, I’m the cook here. I’m Mrs. Olsen . My, but you’re such a wee thing, an d so lovely, too . ” S he set the plate down in front of Angela .
    Mrs. Olsen didn’t seem to think it odd that a complete stranger was sitting in her kitchen . But she’d known Angela by name, and had obviously already met Rosemary . “Thank you, Mrs. Olsen,” she replied with a gracious smile .
    The food smelled delicious, making her mouth water . H er stomach gurgle d loudly in anticipation . She was just about to dig into the mound of fluffy scrambled eggs, her fork poised over the plate, when a large , sun-browned hand reached from behind her, removing the plate right out from under her nose . Ano ther hand plucked the fork from her fingers before she’d even had time to put it in her mouth.
    “Mrs. Olsen,” Blackridge said, “I believe the young lady would prefer dry toast and tea this morning.” He handed the plate over to the cook, ignoring the deadly glare Angela directed at him.
    “Actually, I would prefer something a little heartier, specifically, th at plate of food, Mrs. Olsen,” Angela gritted out through her clenched teeth . S he rose from the table, reach ing for the plate . Setting it back in front of her, she began shoveling the eggs into her mouth , not caring about her bad manners .
    “ I gave an order for dry toast, so that is what you will have, princess,” Blackridge said, prying the fork from her tightly clenched fingers.
    Pieces of egg flew in every direction, some of it landing on his immaculate navy sleeve . This time , he toss ed the contents into the trash bin . He hand ed the empty plate to Mrs. Olsen , and brushed off his sleeve .
    L ean ing over her, he whispered in Angela’s ear . “You agreed to my terms, princess, so you will do as I say for the next three months, is that clear enough for you?”
    His hot breath caressed her cheek , causing a shiver of awareness to tingle down her spine . He was so large. It made her feel small in comparison , delicate, womanly . She inhaled the scent of sandalwood and lemons . She wanted to lean in, the better to smell him. Her reaction caught her so unprepared, all she could do was nod her head.
    He straightened . “Good . Now, eat your toast and then report to Emma in the front parlor . She’s the head housekeeper here . S he’ll explain what your duties are to be for today. ”
    Angela recalled how she’d felt standing in front of the portrait of Blackridge , and realized one important fact: the flesh and blood version of him was much more daunting .
    Sensing the sudden emptiness of the space he had just occupied, Angela turned her head to see that he was gone . S hift ing her attention to Mrs. Olsen, she couldn’t help a quick laugh at the cook’s comical expression.
    “My goodness, dearie ! Why, I’ve never seen him treat a woman so . What do you suppose has gotten into him?”
    “I wouldn’t know, Mrs. Olsen, ” Angela said, feeling grim over the cook’s comment. Apparently, she was the only woman he treated so cavalierly. T he satisfaction she’d felt taking that plate back was well worth it.
    The cook chuckled. “Glory be, but them flyin ’ eggs was a sight to see! You might be a bit on the small side, but you’ve got spirit, Miss Hopkins . Just you keep that up, and before long, you’ll have the master eating right out of your hand.”
    He’d probably bite off her fingers .
    Or kiss them .
    Or lick them .
    He was a wicked man.
    Angela shivered. “D on’t bother with the toast , Mrs. Olsen . I’ll just be on my way to the parlor.”
    “Are you sure ? It’d be no trouble at all. ”
    “ T hank you, just the same, Mrs. Olsen,” Angela said , and left the kitchen in search of the front parlor . Her stomach protested at the loss of such a delicious breakfast . At least the tea had helped to settle it , somewhat.
     
    IAN MADE HIS way to the study , his thoughts on his