Read Online Landing a Laird by Jane Charles - Free Book Online Page B

forearms to keep her from toppling onto him.  Her skin sizzled at the touch of his ungloved hands. The contact warmed her from the tip of his fingertips to the ends of her toes.  Their skin had never touched before and it was quite, well, not exactly disturbing, but her heart raced and her pulse pounded.  “Goodness!”
     
    Goodness indeed .  Gideon gently gripped Lady Moira’s forearms to keep her from falling on the table.  His fingers burned at the touch of her skin, and his pulse hummed, bringing to life sensations that had lain dormant for far too long. Their eyes locked, their faces merely inches apart. Her lips parted in surprise, eyes wide with shock.  She had to be feeling what he was. If he moved just a few inches, their lips would touch. Her tongue darted out, moistening the lower full, rosy bud.  The rest of his anatomy came alive.  Just one taste.  He leaned forward, a breath away.  She bent toward him.
    “ Moira Kirkwood, what are you doing accosting that gentleman?”
    Gideon pulled back and stood, supporting Lady Moira until she had her balance, and turned toward the woman who had just shrieked at them.
    “ Mother, this is Lord Ainsely—” she focused on Gideon and gestured to her mother “—my lord, the Dowager Countless Hearne.”
    “ I apologize for my daughter’s behavior.” The woman rushed toward him.
    “ There is nothing to apologize for,” Gideon responded slowly. How much had the woman seen from her angle at the door, which had been to the left of his back?  “Your daughter tripped, and I simply caught her.”
    The woman’s eyes narrowed.  “It looked as if she were...”
    “ Yes?”  Gideon raised an eyebrow.
    “ Never mind.” The woman threw up her hands. “I am sure I was mistaken.”  She slid a glance at her daughter. “At least I hope I was mistaken.”
    “ You were, my lady,” the maid piped up from the back corner. “I saw Lady Moira trip, and would have ended up right in the tea service had Lord Ainsely not caught her.”
    The dowager countess whipped around. “I will ask if I want your input.”
    Gideon cringed at the woman’s tone. No wonder Lady Moira wanted to be far away from her mother.  Lady Moira wasn’t looking at him however, but at the maid and silently mouthing, “Thank you.”  
    “ Moira, why aren’t you wearing a hat?”
    A befuddled look came across the young woman’s face. “Because I’m in the parlor.”
    “ Yes, but you must cover that head until I can find another remedy.”
    Lady Moira’s hand went to her scalp and she grimaced.  
    Please, let this woman run out of options before Lady Moira is bald.
    “ Madam, I stopped by to see if Lady Moira would like to accompany me on a drive in the park.”
    Both ladies perked up.  The mother had a calculating gleam in her eye while she studied him, whereas Lady Moira brightened with what he interpreted as relief at the possibility of escape.
    “ As long as she takes Beatrice with her.”
    “ I am afraid that’s not possible.  I am driving my phaeton today and there’s only enough room for two.”
    The dowager pursed her lips in thought, and Lady Moira twisted her hands together, waiting patiently. The young woman wanted out of this house probably more than he did.
    “ It is open?”
    What an odd question.  “Of course.  It is right outside if you would like to see for yourself.”
    “ And where do you plan to ride?”
    Had the woman been part of the Inquisition in an earlier life?  “Hyde Park.”
    The maid stood and moved toward the door. “I’ll get your hat and parasol, Lady Moira.”
    “ Thank you, Beatrice.” Lady Moira smiled after her.
    “ As long as you don’t do anything that could ruin my daughter’s reputation,” the dowager countess warned.  “We are still trying to recover from that scandalous bet.”
    Did she not know of the subsequent two? And what a thing to say to a stranger in her daughter’s presence.  “Of course.  I would not dare