Every Scandalous Secret Read Free Page A

shared, imagined all of her family having children but her. The future had suddenly seemed lonely, with her the only one without a partner to share it.
    Yet she hadn’t imagined how complicated it would be when she arrived at Bramfield Hall two days before, without a female member of her family to keep her company. It had been difficult to find common subjects of discussion even with the women, let alone the men. Hour after hour in the company of other people was wearing on her, and sometimes she had to escape for a moment’s solitude. Thank goodness she had her art as an excuse, something most people could almost understand.
    The men in attendance at the house party were perfect for her beginning foray in husband hunting. She knew Albert Evans, a neighboring landowner near Madingley Court, the ducal palace she’d been raised in. He wasn’t much taller than she was but had an honest country face. He’d never shown a bit of interest in her—not that she’d shown any in him. She could change this. He’d courted her sister-in-law Emily when it seemed her brother Matthew was dead. Obviously, Mr. Evans was looking for a wife.
    And then there was Lord Keane; he was a handsome man, with his dark good looks, full lips, and broad physique that spoke of an athletic nature. But there was something about the way he seemed to secretly laugh at everything around him, and not in a pleasant way.
    Viscount Swanley, as the heir to a marquisate, could obviously appeal to a titled lady, but Susanna did not consider her own connections exalted enough. Her father was a professor, after all, even if her cousin was a duke.
    She’d already discovered Mr. Frobisher’s propensity for chatting, when he wasn’t nervously polishing his spectacles. He was eager and pleasant, and perhaps they’d find something in common to discuss.
    As for Mr. Tyler, he was still standing alone by doors open to the torchlit terrace beyond. He’d been there before dinner as well. It was early summer, not exactly hot enough to need the breeze of an open door. He had wavy brown hair that fell haphazardly across his forehead and an absent stare, as if he were thinking of something else. Perhaps he didn’t like house parties either; they might have that in common.
    Mr. Frobisher and Mr. Tyler were country squires seldom in London. But that did not bother her in the least; she preferred the countryside, with its gorgeous scenery just waiting to be captured by her pencil or brush.
    Here in Hertfordshire, she would be able to paint new landscapes and bring back memories—and sketches—to fuel her art for some time to come.
    She hoped to bring back a fiancé, too.
    When Caroline began to clap, Susanna did the same, realizing that Lady May had finished playing the pianoforte without Susanna’s hearing a note.
    Then Caroline turned to face Susanna, their knees brushing. Her bright blue eyes settled inquisitively on her face.
    “So . . .” Caroline said, tilting her head.
    Susanna smiled. “So?”
    “Mr. Wade?”
    Susanna willed herself not to blush but felt the warmth in her cheeks. It was . . . strange to imagine discussing something personal with a woman not her sister or cousin. “I know him no better than you do, Caroline.”
    “That was a long conversation for someone you do not know well.” She leaned closer and whispered, “Perhaps he admires you.”
    Susanna restrained herself from rolling her eyes. “He gave me no indication of that. He knows my brother and wishes to meet my cousin Madingley. He probably wants to challenge him to a card game, just to say he defeated a duke.”
    “It could be about business or politics.”
    Susanna shook her head. “Mr. Wade? Never.”
    Caroline stopped asking questions but still glanced at Susanna occasionally with a curiosity she didn’t bother to hide. Susanna would hold her secrets close. She could never tell another soul about the scandalous wager and what had led up to it. Too many lives could be