Read Online The Seduction of Lady Charity: The Baxendale Sisters Book Four by Maggi Andersen - Free Book Online

you marry Lady Kitty before the year is out…” Francis broke off and stared into the room.
    Robin stepped into the salon.
    Two ladies sat together on one of the pair of blue and gold damask sofas, drinking tea. “I hope you don’t find me presumptuous, Your Grace,” Charity said, her eyes lacking their usual warmth. “But Franklin knows me so well he was confident you’d invite us to take tea with you.”
    Mercy leapt up and ran to throw her arms around him. “How wonderful to see you, Robin.”
    Robin accepted the hug, his gaze meeting Charity’s cool one over Mercy’s head. Pleasure warmed him at the sight of her perched on his sofa, holding a flowery blue teacup the same shade as her dress. Suddenly, his world seemed to have righted itself.

Chapter Seven

    Cold, earthy smells from the garden had followed the men through the door to mingle with the smoke from the fire burning in the grate of the marble fireplace. When Mercy drew away from Robin after her impulsive greeting, he strode over and kissed Charity’s hand. “It is good to see you.”
    “And you.” She was pleased, despite the strange hollow feeling in her chest at overhearing his mention of another lady. It was hard to believe he was now a duke, for he still had the same boyish smile. Surely she hadn’t expected him to be the Robin of old. But had he moved on so quickly that he’d forgotten his friends?
    After the maid brought hot water, extra cups, and hot buttered crumpets, Charity removed the teapot from the stand and poured the brew into two porcelain cups for the men, who had seated themselves on the matching sofa.

    Charity studied Robin while he listened to Mercy explain to Francis the difficulty of producing lotions for ladies’ complexions and the book she was writing. Robin seemed very much at home here. Her first view of the castle nestling in its manicured gardens had quite taken her breath away. This room was charming with its blue silk wallpaper, white marble columns, and painted ceiling. She wondered who Lady Kitty was and what she meant to Robin. Uncomfortable, she began to doubt she and Mercy should have come without notice. Eavesdroppers never prospered. Suddenly aware Robin’s eyes rested on her, she dropped her gaze to her plate and forked up a piece of pound cake.
    Robin took a large bite of crumpet. He licked a smudge of butter off his lip. “How did you find Scotland?” he asked her politely.
    “Wild, poetic, —very different to England,” she enthused, giving in to the urge to embellish, although her experiences of Gunn’s country had not yet become clear in her mind. Every time she evoked the delicious experience of being commended for her art, Gunn, large and vigorous, seemed to get in the way.
    “Oh, it was vastly entertaining, Robin,” Mercy broke in. “Lord Gunn held a wonderful dinner for us. We were piped into the baronial hall for a fabulous feast! His castle is huge, and you can see the sea from the tower.”
    “I’m pleased that you enjoyed yourselves,” he said in a coolly impersonal tone. “And the portrait was a success?”
    “It appears so.” Charity stirred sugar into her tea. “I would have written you about it had I known you were interested.”
    “Of course I am. I have been a poor correspondent.” Robin nodded. “I do apologize.”
    “I imagine you’ve been very busy,” Charity said, relenting slightly.
    “It was so exciting.” Mercy directed her conversation to Francis, who smiled approvingly. “Guests filled the Great Hall, and everyone applauded when the cover was removed. In the gilt frame, the portrait did look magnificent.”
    “I must say I am not surprised.” Robin smiled. “And for what reason are we blessed with your delightful company?”
    “Father found the trip dreadfully fatiguing.” Charity scrunched her napkin in her lap. “He plans to extend his stay with Aunt Christabel for a sennight in order to recuperate. I don’t believe you’ve met Lady