Heart of Courage Read Free

aren’t offended. My husband and his brother are difficult men to control.”
    â€œThat is an understatement.”
    â€œI can close the door. It’s just that it gets terribly hot in there.”
    â€œDon’t be silly. I have seen a man’s chest before.”
    Krista cast her a knowing glance that said, not one like that one. Which, of course, was true.
    As her friend returned to her office, Lindsey fixed her gaze on the sheet of paper in front of her and tried to block the image of smooth dark skin and rippling muscles, but there was no way in the world that she could.
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    It was nearly three in the morning when Lindsey accepted the help of a footman and stepped down from the carriage, waited while her aunt Delilah stepped down, and the two of them made their way inside her parents’ Mayfair mansion.
    Standing in the marble entry, Lindsey handed her cloak to the butler, a thin, silver-haired man who had been with the family for more than twenty years. “Thank you, Benders,” she said.
    He gave her a smile then took her aunt’s wrap, as well. “Will there be anything more, my lady?”
    â€œThat will be all for tonight,” Aunt Dee said.
    The butler shuffled away and Lindsey made her way into the Rose Drawing Room for a brief recap of the evening, a ritual she and Aunt Dee shared whenever she was in town.
    Exhausted, Lindsey sank down on the rose velvet settee, wishing she could simply go to bed.
    â€œMy, I can’t remember when I’ve had such a marvelous evening.” The Countess of Ashford, widow of the late Earl of Ashford, swept into the room behind her as if it were six in the evening, not numerous hours past midnight. As if they hadn’t danced till Lindsey’s feet ached and a kink throbbed in her neck. As if they hadn’t smiled and made inane conversation until Lindsey thought her face would crack.
    Though most of the time she enjoyed herself at affairs like the Marquess of Penrose’s ball, tonight she found herself wishing she was somewhere besides a crowded drawing room, somewhere the air didn’t smell of too-sweet perfume and shoe polish.
    Aunt Dee poured herself a final glass of sherry and offered one to Lindsey, who firmly shook her head. Returning to the settee, Delilah settled herself at the opposite end from Lindsey.
    â€œThe Earl of Vardon was certainly attentive tonight.” She took a sip of sherry. “I think he is interested in you.”
    She was tall, like Lindsey, but more robust, her figure still stunning. With her thick black hair and heavily lashed gray eyes, she looked at least ten years younger than her forty-six years, and half the men in London vied for her attention. Only a lucky few were granted the privilege of spending time with her.
    â€œWell, I am not interested in Lord Vardon,” Lindsey said. “Or for that matter, any other man. At least not right now.”
    Delilah sat back on the sofa. “I suppose I shouldn’t encourage your independence, but in truth, I couldn’t agree with you more. A woman should enjoy her youth while she is able. There is plenty of time later on for a husband and children.”
    Aunt Dee was a bit of a rebel in her belief that a woman should enjoy the same freedoms as a man. It was amazing Lindsey’s parents considered her a proper chaperone. Then again, her father and mother, Baron and Baroness Renhurst, had always been more concerned with their own affairs than those of their daughter.
    â€œI like my life,” Lindsey said. “I like being able to do as I wish without some man ordering me about.”
    â€œJust as you should, my dear. A woman has to be a bit more careful, more discerning in her affairs, but if she is shrewd enough, she can find any number of ways to enjoy herself.”
    Lindsey imagined Aunt Dee had often made use of that advice. In a number of ways Lindsey admired her. It took courage for a woman to live exactly as she