Read Online Trondelaine Castle by April Lynn Kihlstrom - Free Book Online

called
upon to do was of works a few centuries old and such a
dictionary would be of incomparable help. Well, even
if he had one, she told herself, he certainly wouldn’t let
you use it. Nor could she blame him.
    Teatime came and Wendy was still at work. But she
broke off eagerly as she heard Dr. Witler’s voice in the
hallway. “No, don’t botherI can find my way.”
    Roger’s grin matched hers as he entered the library.
His glance slid from her to her desk and back again. He
started laughing. “Don’t tell me the old boy has put you
to work!”
    The laughter was infectious. “No, no. I’ve just gotten
a package from my publishers with work for me while
I’m here.”
    Roger’s manner became brisk and professional.
“How is the foot today? Have you had any problems
with it?” After several minutes of examination, he
pronounced himself satisfied. “Just continue to keep
off it. You know, I didn’t really need to stop by, but it
was such an excellent excuse I couldn’t resist the opportunity. Particularly at teatime. The cook, Mrs.
Peters, is incomparable. Will you ring for a cup for
me?”

    But there was no need. The ever efficient Gwen came
in then, with everything necessary for an extra guest.
Roger was clearly well liked here, for Gwen gave him a
wide smile. “Come for tea, have you, Dr. Witler? I told
Mrs. Peters, when I saw you, we’d be needing another
tray!”
    He smiled affectionately in return. “You don’t think
I’d call at any other hour, do you? Thank you, Gwen.”
    To Wendy’s prejudiced eyes, it seemed Gwen’s hips
swayed a little more than usual as she left the room.
And Roger seemed to appreciate the fact. With an
effort, she shrugged off her momentary irritation and
poured tea for herself and Roger.
    “How has the dragon been treating you?” he asked.
Wendy was puzzled, so he added, “Richard. Hadn’t
you noticed the family crest contains a dragon? And he
seems to be acting like one with regard to you.”
    Wendy grinned. “No, I hadn’t noticed, but the
description does suit him. Breathing fire upon
occasion, and at other times-well, I’ve always thought
dragons rather cute.”
    “Cute?” Roger burst out laughing. “Lord! Don’t let
Richard hear you describe him that way!”
    “What way?” came the familiar voice from the
doorway.
    Guiltily, Wendy started. She didn’t dare turn and
look at him. Roger, on the other hand, merely grinned
and said, “Now, now, Richard. Weren’t you ever
taught not to eavesdrop? Care for some tea?”
    Richard walked easily to a chair and sat down. “No,
thank you, Roger. Have you taken to giving young
women lessons on how to approach men?”

    Roger shot a glance at Wendy before answering. She
looked rather uncomfortable and he altered what he
might otherwise have said. “Hardly. Especially since
this young lady would not be interested.”
    Lord Richard glanced at Wendy mockingly. “I had
forgotten. There is a fiance-somewhere.”
    Wendy, never very patient at best, lost her temper. “I
never believed, Lord Richard, that a title or money
gave one the right to be rude.”
    “Oh, but it does. It does,” was the soft, mocking
reply.
    “Stop it, Richard!” Roger’s tone was peremptory.
“You’re behaving like a jackass. Miss Pratt has given
you no cause for your suspicions and she doesn’t
deserve such treatment.”
    Richard looked at the doctor with raised eyebrows.
“Has she made a conquest, then? What would your
wife think?” His voice turned angry and serious. “You
forget Wendy’s accident, Roger. She had been well
warned not to go near the tower. Nor is she so stupid as
to have been unable to guess at its dangers. I find it
difficult to believe the accident was not staged for my
benefit!”
    “Blast it, Richard! She did hurt those tendons. I
know-I examined her,” the doctor retorted.
    Wendy shrank deeper and deeper into her seat,
fighting the desperate desire to