The Hidden Heiress Read Online Free PDF Page B

any?"
    The woman stepped away, flustered. Over her shoulder, she squawked, "Please leave the hats on the stands."
    Isabel closed her eyes. She wanted to grab the most expensive hats in the store, plunk them on the counter, and tell them who she was.
    But she couldn't.
    She could still, however, show the woman what she thought of her implications, rudeness, and arrogance. Isabel put down the pricey hat and turned to leave. The woman was still watching her when she turned, which infuriated Isabel even more. Did she think she was going to steal something?
    She'd only taken one step toward the door when she saw Marshall through the bow-fronted window.
    He came inside, the bell on the door tinkling its welcome. "Miss Balfour, I thought it was you."
    Isabel clenched her teeth and glared up at the ceiling. She'd tried her best to avoid him, but somehow he'd sniffed her out. "I was actually on my way out."
    He blocked her when she tried to walk past him. "No, you weren't. I don't want to interrupt your shopping. Please continue."
    "If you didn't want to interrupt, why did you come in?" she blurted.
    Marshall looked confused. "Um . . . well, I just came out of the bookseller's down the block. I saw you through the window and thought it would be polite to say hello."
    Even without a mirror, she knew she was blushing. "You're quite right to do so, Mr. Templeton. But I really was about to leave."
    He stopped her again, this time touching her lightly on the arm.
    It was enough to set her heart beating dangerously fast.
    "Please, Miss Balfour. Stay."
    She tried to whisper her response, but her voice trembled too much. "I can't afford anything anyway. Please , let's go."
    Mrs. Wentley snickered, the cruel sound echoing through the shop.
    Marshall glared at the odious woman, hs features dark. He gripped Isabel's arm and pulled her to a row of hats. "Which do you like?"
    "Pardon me?" Her arm burned where he touched her.
    Marshall pointed at the hats with his other hand. "Which of these hats is your favorite? It was this one, wasn't it?" He pulled it off the stand almost violently and made his way to the shop keep.
    Mrs. Wentley's lips were pursed, her expression disapproving. "May I help you?"
    "I would like to buy this hat," Marshall said. "Would you wrap it up immediately?"
    "Mr. Templeton, this isn't necessary."
    " Yes ," he said, "it is."
    Isabel snapped her mouth shut after seeing the look in his eyes. She may not have understood much about men, but she knew when something was important to someone. And right at moment--as improper as it was--it was important to Marshall that he buy her that hat.
    Moments later, under the scornful eyes of Mrs. Wentley, they left the store.
    Marshall carried the hatbox for her. "You'll look beautiful in this hat." He swung the box between them. "Not that you need a hat to be beautiful."
    She smiled. "It is a wonderful gift. Thank you. But I really shouldn't accept it."
    "Not accept it?" He walked beside her, cutting a handsome figure in his dark riding jacket and tall leather boots. "It's too late. I won't take it back now."
    "But Mr. Templeton--" she started.
    "Please accept my gift," Marshall said, tipping his hat to her. "You see, I already have my own. What would I do with another?"
    Isabel pictured him wearing the cavalier hat, pertly cocked to one side as was the fashion. She laughed. He'd left her with no option but to accept. She tugged at her gloves and replied, "Thank you. I'll think of you whenever I wear it."
    "Then I hope you wear it daily." Marshall stopped walking. "Oh look, we're already here. Unfortunately, I cannot join you. I have to be in session in less than an hour."
    She nodded, realizing that he didn't proclaim their arrival as something good. He was disappointed that they wouldn't be together any longer, as was she.
    She hadn't been true to her intent to stay away from him. She climbed the first step to the townhouse, then turned back to him. "Goodbye then."
    He reached for her