Read Online Every Scandalous Secret by Gayle Callen - Free Book Online

Emperor Titus Cae’—I think it must be ‘Caesar’—then ‘Vesp-’ something, and ‘son of’ . . .”
    Mr. Wade shrugged. “Simon did much of my schoolwork for me.”
    She stared at him as disappointment suffused her. She’d been foolish to consider even for a moment that he was something other than what he always portrayed.
    Mr. Wade gave her a bow, then walked away, joining the group at the wall, to the delight of Miss Randolph, who took his arm. Her mother looked pleased, until Lady Greenwich whispered something to her. Gossip, surely—which Mr. Wade professed to love. Maybe even about himself.

Chapter 5
     
    A t dinner, Leo studied Susanna from the far end of the table. Lady Bramfield had very pointedly seated him between Mrs. Norton and Lady Greenwich, rather than the young ladies. He didn’t mind. The older women tended to speak to the dinner partners on their other sides, leaving him free to annoy Susanna with his gaze.
    And it wasn’t all that difficult to focus on her while still pretending to watch the other young ladies. Her maid had obviously done something new with her hair. It was caught up high on her head, with artful auburn curls strategically positioned as if they were about to tumble free. It made her neck seem elegantly long, graceful, as she turned to smile at something Swanley said.
    And no spectacles in sight, much as he knew she kept them on her person at all times.
    And then there was the gown—no striped taffeta or embroidered silk for Susanna. But the green satin was rich and evocative, simple enough to highlight the form within it. Yet the bodice was cut low and square, beneath her shoulders, with simple fabric flowers trimming the edge. Hiding the lack of deep cleavage, he guessed, but what she showed was quite delectable enough.
    And then, of course, he thought of the painting, where she lay on her back and exposed each gentle slope.
    If it was truly her—and he had his doubts.
    She never looked at him during dinner, not once, and he knew she was still annoyed with him.
    Hell, he was annoyed with himself. Why had he conversed with Bramfield about Roman antiquities, of all things? He’d drawn Susanna’s curiosity, but not in the way he wished. A simple seduction was not going as he’d planned, and he felt a bit frustrated that his usual smooth efforts seemed ineffectual.
    But . . . wasn’t that what made this pursuit so unlike any of the others he’d engaged in in the past? That was the true challenge—that he didn’t know exactly how to get to Susanna, how to seduce such an unconventional woman. Gifts and pretty words would never do.
    Later, when they gathered in a larger drawing room, the rugs had been rolled back and a quartet brought in to entertain. The ladies were excited by the thought of dancing, especially the young ones. Chandeliers gleamed with candles overhead, and the French windows were thrown open for the night breeze.
    He saw Susanna standing beside Lady Caroline, and her enthusiasm was not as evident, especially when Keane swept Lady Caroline away in the dance.
    Leo had decided to let Susanna wait, wondering what he meant to do. But no man approached her. Tyler wasn’t even all that far away, but he was looking out the window, as if he could see something spectacular in the dark, damn the man. Every young lady but Susanna was dancing, and Leo found himself bowing before her.
    “Miss Leland, would you care to dance?”
    She snapped open a fan and regarded him over it. “The waltz has already begun, sir.”
    “Then we’ll join.”
    He took her hand, leaving the fan to dangle from her wrist as he pulled her into his arms. Within two steps, she trod on his foot.
    “I know you can dance better than this,” he said.
    “Not when I’m nervous.” She avoided his gaze.
    “Why would you be nervous? It’s simply me.”
    “Again.”
    “What does that mean?” He swept her through a tight corner, maneuvering her between two slower couples.
    “We spend