Read Online Hold Your Breath 02 - Unmasking the Marquess by K.J. Jackson - Free Book Online Page A

you do too much of as it is.”
    Reanna followed Ike as he led Ivy into the stables, and stopped at the third stall in to rub the nose of Thor, a young black stallion that was growing quickly and would eventually be a magnificent creature. He reveled in Reanna’s warm hand.
    “Come now, I must have something more to learn from you. You have been an excellent teacher, and your patience astounds me.” Reanna winked at Ike, whose due blush looked odd on his lined, leathered face. “You could always teach me to ride astride.”
    Ike laughed, the sound booming through the stables. “The devil in you, m’lady. I’ll not be the one to corrupt you. You’ll have to find that somewhere else. I wouldn’t even want to imagine his lordship’s face were he to learn you could ride astride.”
    It slipped out between them, hanging in the air for a moment. It had been an unspoken rule amongst the staff at Holloton to not mention the marquess. She knew they did it out of respect for her, and she had been grateful for their kindness.
    Ike’s face froze the second he realized who he had mentioned, not sure how to proceed.
    Reanna forced a laugh. “Come now, I highly doubt Lord Southfork will be finding out anything of my activities for a long time.” Much less care, she added silently.
    Ike gave an awkward smile, clearly thankful for Reanna’s transition past his gaffe. “Still, m’lady, you will remain uncorrupt if I have anything to say about it.”
    “And you must stand by your convictions, I imagine.” The twinkle was back in Reanna’s eye. “Fine then, you may remain a gentleman.”
    She curtseyed before him.
    “Very kind, m’lady.”
    Reanna started to exit the stables, then abruptly spun around. “Ike, I have been meaning to ask—does anyone on staff play chess?”
    “Chess, m’lady?” His eyebrows raised in bewilderment.
    “Yes, chess.”
    “Well, actually, Ruperton and Evans have had a bit of an ongoing feud over the board for the past six years.”
    “Really?” A slow smile curved onto her lips. “Six years? Does anyone else ever play either of them?”
    “Nope, and no one wants to, I wager. They’re both such sore losers, I can’t imagine anyone willing to dive into that sordid game with them.”
    “Thank you, Ike. You have given me a grand idea that has more than made my day.”
    “I have?” The earlier blush reappeared. “You’re welcome, m’lady.”
    Reanna could hardly contain the skip in her step as she made her way out of the stables and up the snowy hillside to the main house.
    After darkness had fallen and dinner passed, Reanna leaned back in the wingback chair angled close to the fire in the library. She stared down at the low table in front of her. Gleaming in the light from the flames, the finely crafted gold and silver pieces sat evenly on the heavy checkered board. She had gotten a few curious glances when she requested the set be brought in from the study, but she chose to ignore the looks.
    “Samuelson, could you please find Ruperton and convey my request that he join me?” Reanna asked the footman standing by the door.
    Samuelson nodded and left the room. Moments later, Ruperton arrived, starched and detached as always. “You requested my presence, my lady?”
    “Yes, Ruperton, I did. I will get right to the point. I would like you to teach me to play chess.”
    Reanna almost laughed at the look that overtook the steward’s face. Incredulous, and Reanna even thought she saw him sway a bit.
    His face turned white. “Chess, my lady?”
    “I am sorry, Ruperton. I did not mean to distress you.” It suddenly occurred to Reanna why Ruperton reacted so, and she sank backward into the chair. “I understand chess can be a long endeavor, and you may not wish to spend that much time with me. I am not very interesting, I know. Forgive me for bothering you about it.”
    “Nonsense, my lady. Everyone is interesting. You just have to discover what interests you first.” He stepped