The Most to Lose Read Online Free PDF Page B

I don’t believe you particularly enjoy attending the continuous round of parties and balls that everyone in society is supposed to crave.”
    Celie let the soft sound of the orchestra wash over her as she looked out over Lady Plimpton’s garden. “It isn’t that I am not fond of society’s gatherings. There are times when I enjoy myself as much as anyone. There are times, however, when a quiet evening at home with a good book is more appealing. Or a night at the opera.”
    “May I say, then, that I’m glad you felt obligated to come tonight. I enjoyed seeing you again after all these years.”
    Celie smiled. “It has been a while, hasn’t it?”
    “Yes. If I remember correctly, you were no more than eleven or twelve the last time you tried to tag along after your brother and me.”
    “I was nearing my thirteenth birthday and an adult in my mind. I couldn’t understand why Hadleigh wasn’t as eager to have me join him as he was to have you and Melisande for companions.”
    Haywood laughed a deep, sincere laugh. “No brother wants his sister to know everything he does.”
    The smile on his face caused her heart to somersault several times.
    “Besides,” he continued, “I’m sure Hadleigh was just protecting you from the trouble in which he and I always seemed to find ourselves.”
    “You’re being kind, my lord. We both know that Hadleigh didn’t want me anywhere near because he considered me a child. If I remember correctly, both of you referred to me as a brat several times in my hearing.”
    This made Haywood laugh even harder, and the effect of his laughter was a thousand times more powerful than his smile.
    “Well, no one can call you a brat now,” he said, keeping the smile on his face. “Nor is it possible to consider you a child. Not when you’ve grown into such a charming woman.”
    A shiver raced down Celie’s spine. He’d said she’d grown into a charming woman. Not a beautiful woman, which would have been an obvious lie and dropped her opinion of him by several notches. Not a lovely woman, which would have caused her to wonder what need he had to falsely fatter her.
    But a charming woman, a description that had nothing to do with her looks and everything to do with how she appeared to him.
    “I have yet to extend my sympathies on the deaths of your father and your brother. I’m sure their deaths took you by surprise.”
    “The news of their passing was not welcome, but it didn’t take me by surprise. Did it you?”
    Celie couldn’t find an answer except…“No.”
    Haywood locked his gaze with hers and smiled a sad smile. “I knew you would give me the truth. Thank you for that.
    “The lives both Father and Charles lived had bordered on the edge of disaster for several years. That they should both die so tragically came as a shock to no one.”
    “I didn’t know your brother well. He and your father only visited Hadleigh Estate once or twice.” Celie turned to Jonah and studied his expression. “You don’t remind me at all of him.”
    Haywood smiled. “Thank you a second time.”
    “No, I meant—”
    His raised hand stopped her from explaining that she’d meant in looks. Charles had been as fair as Lord Haywood was dark.
    “I know what you meant, but I want you to know I’m not like Charles in actions, either.”
    Celie let her shoulders drop. “I know you’re not, but I should have made myself clearer from the start. Hadleigh constantly tells me my mouth will get me into real trouble someday.”
    “Do you believe it will?”
    Celie shrugged. “Probably. But there’s no help for it. It’s in my makeup.”
    Haywood laughed.
    “What plans do you have now that you’ve made your return to society? Are you going to stay in London?”
    “For a while, yes. I have some matters to take care of.”
    “Yes,” Celie answered reluctantly. “I overheard some gentlemen remark that the first thing you need to do is begin your search for a bride.”
    His eyebrows arched.