Read Online Tanya Anne Crosby by The Impostor's Kiss - Free Book Online Page B

Merrick could alert Ryo that he had the wrong brother…or, at the very least, plant a seed.

Chapter Seven
    I t was impossible to make out anything without a lamp, but Chloe didn’t dare call attention to herself.
    During the time she’d been in residence at Glen Abbey Manor, she’d never dared enter the steward’s office. Late in the afternoon following her threatened resignation, she was afforded the perfect opportunity; Edward left in a huff and had yet to return; Lord Lindale, too, had ventured out for the evening. They were both likely to return soon, but she hadn’t been able to slip away until Lady Fiona was fast asleep in her bed. The servants—few that remained—had all retired to their quarters.
    Knowing she had precious little time, Chloe hurriedly sifted through papers, bringing one pile, then another, to the window to read them by the moonlight shining through the part in the draperies. Thus far, it was all a worthless jumble—receipts for payments made and purchase orders for the kitchen. She’d already tried the cabinets to no avail. They were sealed tighter than a beggar’s grip about a copper.
    A single piece of paper secured beneath a squatting silver elephant caught her attention and she plucked it out from under the paperweight and took it to the window. “Notice of eviction,” she read, scanning the page for a name. “Rusty Broun…for lack of rents paid.”
    Rusty had only just lost his youngest child. The callousness over it all made Chloe furious. She wanted to tear the document to shreds and to toss it in Lindale’s face.
    “Find something interesting?” a voice said at her back.
    Chloe’s heart nearly leaped out of her breast. She spun to find Lindale peering at her from across the room. His face cast in shadows, he’d never looked so menacing. Och, she hadn’t even heard him enter. He strode forward with purpose and Chloe gasped in sudden fright.
    Where now was her mettle? she berated herself.
    To her dismay, he’d never looked more beautiful—Lucifer looming out of the darkness toward her.
    He closed the distance between them in just a few strides and snatched the document out of her hand. He peered at it an instant, his face registeringno emotion. Looking back at her, he asked pointedly, “What are you doing here?”
    “I was…” Chloe fumbled for an explanation. “I mean to say…I went to put out the light in your mother’s room…”
    He arched a brow at her. “Her room is in the east wing,” he reminded her.
    Chloe bit her lower lip, feeling utterly trapped. Good Lord, she was such a terrible liar. “Yes, well…when I was in the hall, you see…I spied someone stealing toward the steward’s office…so then I followed.”
    It was evident he didn’t believe her. His eyes clearly registered doubt. “Is that so?”
    Chloe nodded.
    His face an impenetrable mask, he peered down once more at the document in his hand, then proceeded to fold it while he studied her in turn. He slipped the document into his coat pocket.
    Chloe held her tongue under his painful scrutiny. God help her, she wanted to say so much, but something about the look in his eyes kept her silenced.
    “You’re a lovely little liar. What is it you were searching for, Chloe?”
    She was so close to the truth now, she could feel it. If he realized she suspected him of stealing the deed, he would send her packing. “I…” She averted her gaze, unable to look him straight in theeyes. She managed an easy tone. “Nothing…truly, my lord.”
    He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it, his attention diverted by the echo of footfalls approaching from down the hall. Chloe half expected him to drag her out to face the constable; instead he seized her by the arm and quickly pulled her behind the heavy draperies. He placed his hand firmly against her mouth, shushing her. Chloe was utterly confused by his reaction.
    The curtains were still swaying slightly when the door opened.
    His hand remained at her