Read Online Sins of a Virgin by Anna Randol - Free Book Online Page B

anymore.”
    “Madeline!” A gentleman called out, pausing in the act of lifting a bunch of grapes from the woman’s hips.
    Madeline repressed a grimace as a new group of men formed around her, cutting her off from the food.
    “Shall I get you a plate?” one of the men asked.
    Only if it didn’t come from the table with the woman.
    A fast-moving object flashed in the corner of Madeline’s vision. She reacted without thinking, her body jerking to the side. A large strawberry hit the man next to her square in the chest.
    “Greedy witch! The men were supposed to be falling all over themselves for me tonight! Do you know how long I had to stay still while they arranged all that fruit?” The formerly food-bedecked woman had risen to her feet, her colorful costume in piles at her feet. She picked up a bowl of cream and hurled it in Madeline’s direction. Gabriel stepped in front of her to block the projectile. Luckily for him, the woman’s tantrum affected her aim, and the bowl sailed through the air and bounced off a man four feet to Madeline’s left.
    “My best waistcoat!” With a huff, he flicked the cream off his chest. The foamy treat splattered over the man next to him, who looked down at his sleeve with the bleary intensity of one who’d had too much to drink. Then with a laugh, he tossed a pastry from the nearby table back at the man.
    Suddenly, pastries and globs of gravy were flying around the room as the rest of the gentlemen joined in.
    Madeline caught Gabriel’s arm. “It’s nice to know the future of England is in such responsible hands.” They dodged a spinning slice of beef as he led her out a side door. As they exited, a footman carrying a tray of almond biscuits entered. Without pausing, Madeline snatched three of the sugary treats with him none the wiser.
    “Were you ever a pickpocket?”
    Only once or twice; that had been Clayton’s area of expertise. “At least we know these biscuits haven’t been worn. Let’s find a less crowded place to eat. Through here, I think.” Except that she didn’t think, she knew. She’d scouted the location dressed as a scullery maid earlier this afternoon. She’d gotten lax about such things the past weeks, but she could no longer afford that. She hurried through a set of doors at the far side of the corridor and down a narrow, dimly lit passage.
    He glanced up and down the narrow space. “Servants’ corridor?”
    “One of them. This one leads to the laundry and cellar.” The space smelled of coal dust and lye, perhaps not the most appetizing aromas, but she’d eaten in far worse. Madeline handed Huntford a biscuit and lowered herself onto the top step.
    After a moment, Huntford followed suit. “I didn’t picture you as the type to sit in a stairway.”
    She paused with the pastry halfway to her mouth. “I’m surprised you pictured me at all.”
    He shrugged, ignoring her bait. “You don’t seem the type to tolerate dingy wooden steps.”
    She feigned a delicate sniff. “Indeed, this exquisite derriere only condescends to grace the finest furniture.” She bit into the treat. “Unless I’m hungry, then I’ll sit anywhere.”
    Gabriel’s lips twitched, then he lost the battle and grinned.
    Her pulse skipped in her veins. His smile wasn’t one that transformed a striking man into a heartrendingly handsome one. No, the change was far more wickedly subtle.
    It made him approachable. The pale green of his eyes softened and the tension that normally narrowed his lips disappeared.
    She choked on the powdery sugar coating the biscuit.
    He eyed her warily. “Are you well?”
    She nodded and focused on eating. The confection was one of her favorites so she prolonged her enjoyment with small dainty bites, allowing herself full immersion in the rich, nutty flavor and the occasional pleased moan.
    Huntford hadn’t touched his.
    Perhaps she could ask him if she might have his—but no, she’d already eaten two to his one.
    With a sigh, she raised