Read Online Patricia Veryan - [Sanguinet Saga 05] - Nanette by Patricia Veryan - Free Book Online Page B

very sleepy, and… Oh, sir! Whoever you are, I
beg
of you… I do not wish to ruin myself, but if you will not let me go, I
shall most assuredly scream and we shall have
everyone
in here!"
    The prospect was not intriguing. "Well, of all the false
starts!" protested Harry, feeling much abused. "Let's have a little
light on the subject." He reached for the tinderbox but was stopped by
a half-sobbed, "No! Do not! I should
die
of
shame! And you… Oh, my dear God! You are…
naked
!"
    He chuckled. "Yes, but you aren't." To his horror she began to
weep in earnest, and he said kindly, "Now, don't cry, for Lord's sake.
Look—you do not seriously expect me to believe all this? Mrs. Burnett
gave me this suite."
    "Mrs. Burnett is a great gaby!" A loud sniff accompanied this
denunciation. "My friend did leave, but I told Mr. Burnett I would
remain. He is half-foxed most of the time, and I suppose… Oh, sir! I
know
what you must think… what you could not but believe.
Please
—I
implore
you—release me. I am an unmarried lady,
travelling with my friends from the Convent…"
    Harry gave a gasp of dismay.
Convent
?
She really did sound like a well-bred chit. The cultured accents could
be imitated, of course, but if she
was
a lady of
Quality, he'd be in a fine pickle. And so would she! The deliciousness
of the situation brought a curve to his humourous mouth. Not
relinquishing his grip, he said, "Very well. I will let you go—if you
will at least leave me with a kiss."
    There was silence. Then a small hand fluttered to his lips.
    "No, by God! Your mouth, ma'am!"
    "But…" She sounded forlorn. "No one but my relations… has ever
kissed my… lips… "
    "Even so, you must admit I am being most generous," Harry
insisted. "I have every right to demand that you—"
    "Yes, yes. Very well…"
    He bent toward where he imagined her mouth to be. As if she
had forced herself to a sudden surrender, she swung up her head. The
kiss became a violent collision, evoking a gasp and a sobbed, "You
horrid
monster. You bit me!"
    "I never did! If you want to know it, you near knocked out my
front teeth!"
    She was making small distressed sounds, and he said, "We'd
best have the candles. I promise to keep covered, and—"
    "Please—
no
! I have done as you asked.
Now, if you are a gentleman you will turn your face to the other side
and remain so until I am gone."
    Harry grumbled and fussed, but did as she requested. When the
parlour door closed softly a moment later, he was smiling into the
darkness. His nocturnal visitor had been a choice armful, and one he'd
every intention of meeting again. Understandably, she had been
desperate to keep her identity a secret. Nonetheless, in the morning
that secret must be revealed. If she left the boardinghouse he could
easily discover her name from one of the servants. If she remained, he
had only to find a damaged mouth and he would have her!
    Mrs. Burnett had said breakfast was served until nine o'clock.
Promptly at eight, bathed, shaved with the razor he'd bespoken from the
waiter, neatly dressed, and with his dark hair brushed into a careless
style he knew became him, Harry strolled downstairs. Whoever had
laundered and pressed his clothes had known what they were about; the
shine on his topboots might horrify Andy but was adequate, and he felt
himself to be fairly presentable.
    The coffee room was already well occupied. Mostly, he noticed,
by young ladies. He paused atop the two steps that led down into the
room, scanning the guests eagerly. His heart missed a beat Three ladies
were seated at a table beside the far windows. It was ridiculous, of
course—the coincidence too far-fetched. Yet he had learned long since
that life has many coincidences, some so incredible as to be beyond
belief. The golden curls of one head were the colour of winter
sunshine; the slender back indicated youth. Breath held in check, he
watched her, and as though she sensed his presence, she turned slowly
to face him. Could it