The Sins of Viscount Sutherland Read Online Free PDF Page B

He bowed. “Good day, Mrs. Grove.”
    As soon as he disappeared, Rosalie handed Penelope her parasol. Penelope gave a shake of her head. “Claire,” she whispered, “you must have a care. His eyes . . . Such an icy shade of blue . . .”
    That was the first thing Claire had noted about him too.
    “. . . He makes me shiver, Claire. He seems—oh, I don’t know how to say it! It’s as if he’s looking right through one.”
    Claire silently acknowledged that as well. But she did not shiver, but instead shuddered, she told herself staunchly. She knew she could never destroy him, but she would damn well make a fool of him, no matter the consequence to herself. Relentless purpose filled her heart. She would have her revenge.
    A quick hug and Penelope was off, then Claire walked into the drawing room. The viscount was standing at the window. Hearing the rustle of skirts, he turned.
    “I apologize for the interruption. I shall not keep you long. I came to inquire as to your health this morning. It pleases me to find you well.”
    “I am indeed well, my lord.”
    She handed him a cup. Their fingers brushed. Her heart leaped. It spun through her mind that he touched her deliberately, and it was all she could do not to scratch that very handsome face.
    “Excellent, then.” He stopped. Tipped his head to the side, a slow smile edging across his lips. “Actually, I came for another matter as well. It’s a fine day. Will you join me for a stroll in Hyde Park this morning?”
    She felt like singing. Yes, yes, oh, yes!
    “I should love to.”
    “Fetch your wrap and let us go, then.”
    Upstairs, Claire changed into a blue muslin gown trimmed with a dainty white lace. Just before she left, she glanced at her reflection. Were her cheeks overly bright? Excitement bounded in her breast. Yes. No. Rats, she didn’t want to appear overeager. She brushed a bit of powder over them before joining the viscount downstairs. There, that was better.
    Rotten Row was empty except for a carriage far down the track. Later in the day those in the Fashionable Set would parade down the promenade. At this hour, most of the ton were still asleep from the activities of the previous night. After he’d left her last night, had such “other” activities kept the viscount from his bed?
    The day was already beginning to warm, and Claire needed no more than a shawl around her shoulders.
    They walked toward the Serpentine at a leisurely pace. But her heart lurched when he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. She was immediately aware of the knotted strength in his forearm and hardness of his bicep.
    And did he hold her hand longer than necessary? She wasn’t sure, but alarm raced through her. She hadn’t been wearing gloves when he kissed her hand last night. Now she recalled the touch of his lips with a shocking vividness that echoed all through her.
    She pushed it aside. Taking a breath, she closed her parasol and lifted her face to the sun.
    She caught Gray’s eye. He raised a brow.
    “Oh, come,” she said. “It’s far too enjoyable a day to hide away beneath a parasol.”
    “Shall I doff my hat as well?”
    He did, spurring a laugh she somehow couldn’t quite withhold. “I have no objections, my lord.”
    They stopped where the waters of the Serpentine glimmered. ”You’re aware that both of us could be perceived as quite wicked. Quite the rebels. Perhaps we’ll both be banished.”
    “Well,” she said lightly, “I suppose I do have an excuse to offer.”
    “And what might that be?”
    “I am a country girl at heart.”
    “Are you?” He appeared skeptical.
    “Yes. Couldn’t you tell when you waltzed with me last night?”
    “I did not notice,” he declared.
    Claire bit her lip. He was teasing—teasing her! And heaven above, she had the most absurd notion to laugh!
    “It’s not often we have occasion to waltz at Wildewood.”
    “Wildewood?”
    “Yes. My home in Essex.”
    Heaven above—why had she divulged