Read Online Highlander Undone by Connie Brockway - Free Book Online

chair. Jack shot him a quick glance. There was nothing laconic about Ted’s sharp scrutiny, however he masked it.
    Jack had known a pasha with a very similar manner. The man had yawned while, with ruthless precision, ferreting out the conspirators in his kingdom. Jack did not know whether Ted might be his enemy, but he instinctively knew he was not a friend.
    Becoming aware of his military stance, Jack made himself relax. He plucked an apple from the bowl of fruit on the table and bounced it in his hand. “Chap can’t let his talents atrophy, can he?” he asked vaguely of Ted, who returned his smile with one that did not quite reach his eyes.
    “Oh, heavens, my dear boy! You won’t have time to set up a studio, er, atelier, er . . . guild.” Lady Merritt tch ed. “Drat the man! Mr. Morris sent you here without any idea of what to expect, didn’t he?”
    “Well, not specifically—”
    “I am to introduce you, Jack. Nothing more. Next year you can have a show. You can’t just suddenly arrive in London and hold an exhibition! It would never do. Never! Even were I to invite all of my friends and dear Mrs. Hoodless all of hers, without proper—and prior—introduction, it would be doomed. Doomed!” She threw up her hands as if to demonstrate just how doomed such a program would be.
    “ ‘Mrs. Hoodless’?” Ted asked, his gaze flickering toward his sister.
    “Yes.” Addie rounded on her brother. “I will be helping Mr. Cameron establish himself in society.”
    “Interesting,” Ted murmured. “But what of your obligations to me? Where will you find the time for Mr. Cameron?”
    For some reason, Jack did not quite believe the peevish tone. He was sure they masked an altogether different interrogation. Ted was studying Addie closely. There was more here than a spoiled man who did not want to share his sister’s attention.
    “I have a sitting with Miss Zephrina Drouhin in less than a month,” Ted continued. “And after that the Black Dragoons will be invading my studio.”
    “Black Dragoons?” Addie echoed. Her lips parted, a single anguished moment, before she gave her head an angry little shake.
    “Yes.” Gerald Norton beamed. “Those military chappies are quite inundating Ted with petitions to paint them now that Whitehall has commissioned their senior officers’ portraits. These army types seem to travel as a herd.”
    “Well,” Addie said, “I daresay I can pour Miss Drouhin tea, but I doubt very much whether a Black Dragoon needs my company to ensure his reputation. More than likely the presence of a lady would only make him self-conscious.”
    “Too true,” Ted said. “Self-conscious enough that he might actually hold his pose.”
    “Ted.”
    “You promised.”
    She drew a deep breath. “Yes. I did.”
    “Yes, yes, yes,” Lady Merritt muttered impatiently. “Addie promised. Now, I have news.” She patted Jack’s arm fondly. He had to keep his mouth from dropping open. “Not only is Jack Mr. Morris’s protégé, he is also Cuthbert’s great-nephew.” She fairly twinkled with malicious pleasure. “Cuthbert’s Scottish great-nephew!” She laughed, unable to contain the bubble of delight.
    “Really?” Ted asked, fixing a puzzled frown on Jack.
    “Yes,” Addie said, returning to Jack’s side. With her back to the rest of the party she caught his eye and gave him an encouraging smile.
    “Deuced fortunate for you, old chap,” Gerald said, scowling. He clearly couldn’t decide whether or not he ought to give up his protective posture and welcome his hostess’s relation into the artistic “fold” or treat Jack as potentially usurping his place in the affections of a very generous patron.
    During his convalescence, Jack had judged Norton an amicable fellow. His next action proved it. With a sudden sigh of capitulation, he clapped Jack on the shoulder. Unfortunately, the well-meant blow landed squarely on his wound, causing Jack to catch back a hiss of pain.
    “Indeed!