Read Online The Lady Seals Her Fate (The Langley Sisters #5) by Wendy Vella - Free Book Online

if they completely understood each other, which of course they did not. But he felt it just the same, almost as if something unspoken had passed between them.
    “You have hidden depths, Mr. Hetherington.” Her voice was soft.
    “Yes, Miss Wooller, I do.” Alex pulled the carriage to a halt and then jumped down. He went around to Hannah’s side and held up his hands to her.
    “Why are we getting down?”
    “It’s called promenading, and you wanted this, so we are doing it correctly. No half measures.”
    Her green eyes looked down at him, then she blinked, those long lashes hiding her expression briefly.
    “Your lashes really are ridiculously long.”
    “I believe you wanted them singed?” she said, placing her hands on his shoulders and letting him lift her down.
    She was light, his hands nearly spanning her waist, and smelt of something sweetly alluring. He held out his arm and she placed her fingers in the crook, and they started walking.
    “Alex, you must promise me something.”
    “Must I?”
    “Yes. You must promise me if you meet a woman who could be important to you while we are carrying out this charade, you tell me at once. I will call it off immediately.”
    “How magnanimous of you, not wanting to stand in the way of true love.”
    “Don’t mock me,” her temper flashed at him.
    “Ah, now there is my Hannah.”
    “I am not your anything.”
    “But, my love, how can you be so cruel?” The smile he gave her was full of devotion and made her teeth grind. Their momentary connection was severed, it seemed. “Remember, this is what you wanted; I am just playing the part you set me up for.”
    She harrumphed.
    “You do know that sounded just like the Dowager Duchess of Stratton, don’t you?”
    “She is everything I aspire to one day be.” Hannah stuck her nose in the air exactly as the old lady did.
    “God save us all,” Alex muttered.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    They walked, they talked, and the people they met were left in no doubt their relationship had moved from friendship into something more serious. What that was, Alex and Hannah were careful to avoid discussing. He led her back to the carriage when her smile threatened to crack.
    “I fear I should apologize once more, Alex, as it is my belief people will soon foresee an engagement in our future.”
    “Much as I like hearing you say sorry to me, I think you have said it enough.”
    Alex felt the fingers she had on his arm tighten, gripping his sleeve hard. Her eyes were on a man approaching. Lord McDonald was walking toward them with a determined look in his eyes.
    “It seems I will have to be more direct with him.”
    “Alex, no. Please do not make a scene. Let us just be polite and he will be on his way soon.”
    “Miss Wooller.” McDonald bowed before her. “Mr. Hetherington.”
    “McDonald.” Alex kept his eyes on the man as he placed his other hand over the one Hannah had clenched on his sleeve. It was a possessive gesture and by the narrowing of McDonald’s eyes he had taken note. Excellent, now he was getting the idea.
    “I would like to take you driving tomorrow, Miss Wooller.”
    “I fear I am busy, Lord McDonald.”
    “Driving with me, again,” Alex added. “Because we are very good friends, Lord McDonald, and she will not be driving with anyone but me in the future.”
    “Has he offered for you?” Lord McDonald turned his eyes on Hannah.
    “No!” she said quickly. “We are friends, nothing more.”
    “Come now, sweetheart.” Alex kept his eyes on McDonald. “We are much more than that, as I explained to Lord McRonald in the park earlier.”
    “McDonald,” the man gritted out.
    “Begging your pardon,” Alex said with no sincerity at all.
    “Good day to you, Lord McDonald.” Hannah tugged Alex’s arm and soon they were striding off down the path away from the carriage once more. He looked over his shoulder and saw McDonald’s angry gaze following them. The man was not happy, and would need to be