Read Online Her Prodigal Passion by Grace Callaway - Free Book Online

her a little more.
    " The lady doth protest too much, methinks ." He tapped his chin. "As I recall, the last time we met you were marauding in the parlor at midnight. Now you're wandering about the woods alone."
    Pink spilled over Miss Sparkler's cheekbones, emphasizing their unique slant and the fey shape of her little face. "I know I ought to have summoned my maid. But I …"—she hesitated and then her shoulders hitched in a rather forlorn movement—"I wished for some solitude."
    "Tired of the company, are you? House parties are a dreadful bore."
    "Oh no, it's not that. Everyone has been most kind. And it is an honor to be invited at all. It's just that … well, I'm not sure I can explain."
    "Try," he said.
    Because he was curious. Why had the little chit hailed off on her own? Given the rarefied guest list, any middling class miss worth her salt would be angling to make the best matrimonial catch.
    Her gaze on her lap, Miss Sparkler said, "I suppose being surrounded by people made me feel more alone." She fiddled with the beige folds of her skirt. "Sounds silly, doesn't it?"
    Actually ... it didn't.
    "It's the happy ones in particular," he said with feeling, "that really make one miserable. And we two seem to be surrounded by a surfeit of lovey-dovey couples, don't we? It's like a disease, and it's spreading."
    "I wouldn't worry for your health, sir. I'm certain the condition is not contagious."
    There it was again: that sly wit of hers. He hadn't imagined it last night. Her mouth tipped up at the corners, and it was a charming expression for her.
    "You misunderstand, I'm not worried about me ," he said. "We hardened rakes have a natural immunity against the softer sentiments. 'Tis young innocents such as you who had better have a care. From what I hear, quite a few eligible bachelors at the party are looking to get leg-shackled."
    "With my slight stature, I fear I would make a poor ball and chain."
    A laugh rustled from his chest. "But your stature is quite charming and I daresay no barrier to any gentleman's pursuit. In fact, I'm surprised you're not already spoken for."
    The laughter in her eyes faded. Her smile, too.
    His chest inexplicably tightened, and he masked it by quirking a brow. "Or, perhaps, you are? I apologize for assuming otherwise. I hadn't heard anything from Percy."
    "I'm not. Spoken for, that is. At least, not definitively."
    For the first time, Miss Sparkler sounded flustered. Interesting. A horde of wasps didn't disquiet her, but a possible attachment did? Having his own aversion to marriage, he experienced a surge of empathy. Perhaps he and she had more in common than he realized.
    Gently, he said, "Do you wish to talk about it?"
    Her lashes fluttered like butterfly wings. She bit her lip—the plump bottom one. The one right above that wicked little beauty mark ...
    "I don't think so," she said.
    He cleared his throat. Tried to get his thoughts on track. "You can trust me. After all, you and Percy are sisters in every way but blood, which makes us practically related. Old friends, at the very least."
    "We're friends?" Miss Sparkler said.
    He was discovering many admirable qualities about Charity Sparkler. Beneath her unassuming demeanor lay honesty and wit, a steadiness of character. She was refreshingly different from the usual array of giggling debs and sultry matrons.
    "I'd like to think so. One can never have too many friends," he said with an easy smile.
    "If I may be frank?" she said.
    He nodded.
    "You don't seem to lack for companionship, Mr. Fines. Particularly the female kind."
    The back of his neck heated, and he rubbed it. "That's plain talking, ain't it?"
    "I'm afraid that is my tendency."
    "And a refreshing one it is," he said ruefully. Her calm countenance made it strangely easy to speak the truth. "In a nutshell, Miss Sparkler? I grow tired of my habits. Of their lack of substance."
    "Then why not find more meaningful pursuits?" she asked.
    It must be the way she phrased