His Scandalous Kiss: Secrets at Thorncliff Manor: 6 Read Free

within the confines of his mind. He did not think that he’d be able to bear having
     to witness their pain again, as would likely be the case if Fiona discovered his attendance this evening.
    “Not at present,” he murmured.
    For a moment, she looked a little stunned, but then she straightened herself, pressed her lips together and stepped past him.
     Without another word, she disappeared quietly up the stairs. Turning, Richard watched her until she was out of sight. Again
     he smiled, pleased by the cut she’d given him in response to his rudeness and comforted by the knowledge that she had grown
     into the sort of lady who demanded respect.
    Taking a moment to assess his surroundings, Richard walked toward the lake where the Endurance —a large frigate that confirmed Lady Duncaster’s fondness for the unusual—provided tables and chairs for the supper that would
     take place later.
    Arriving at the lakeside, he watched as a couple moved hastily toward a copse of trees on the right, disappearing completely
     between the shadows. He wasn’t surprised. Masquerades were after all designed to cause mischief, which was why so many people
     disapproved of them even as they couldn’t help but be intrigued.
    Turning left, he approached the violinist standing furthest away, his music swirling like stardust through the air. It carried
     Richard forward, all thought of revenge momentarily forgotten as the notes coursed through him, soothing his soul and calming
     his heart.
    It wasn’t until he’d come within ten paces of the musician that Richard realized that he wasn’t alone. Seated on a stone bench
     that stood slightly concealed by a neatly trimmed hedge, was the lady he’d seen earlier on the terrace. Instinctively, he
     froze, his progress halted by the vision she presented. Her eyes were closed behind her mask while a smile of pure pleasure
     graced her lovely lips. By God, she was stunning, and it was all Richard could do not to fall on his knees before her like
     a subservient knight to her medieval maiden.
    Instead, he studied the delicate curve of her neck and the vast expanse of pale skin below. Sucking in a breath, he forced
     himself not to stare or to wonder what it might be like to hold her against him . . . to lay her bare and to . . . He blinked,
     aware that his heart was thumping loudly against his chest. It couldn’t be helped. She was perfect in every way—curved in
     just the right places. Christ! His abstinence was clearly trying to knock the gentleman right out of him in favor of welcoming a scoundrel.
    He glanced toward the lake, momentarily wondering if he ought to jump in it. Probably, though the idea of getting wet did
     not appeal. Of course, he could simply walk away. But he did neither. Instead, he ignored what he should do in favor of what he wanted to do, and took a step forward, the gravel crunching lightly beneath his feet as he did so.
    The lady opened her eyes, her lips parting slightly in surprise as she ran her gaze over him. Their eyes met, and as they
     did so, Richard felt some invisible part of him reach out toward her. “My apologies,” he said, the words tripping over each
     other so hastily that he had to make a deliberate effort to slow them. “I did not mean to—”
    Placing her finger against her lips, she urged him into silence, and for a moment, they just stared at each other while the
     music swirled around them, rising and falling in easy tones. When she patted the seat beside her and gestured for him to join
     her, he did not hesitate for a second, but neither did he speak. Instead, he gave himself up to the pleasure of sharing this
     wondrous moment with a perfect stranger while moonlight spilled across the water and stars winked at them from above. Astonishingly,
     it did not feel awkward in any way, but rather comfortable and . . . right.
    Not until the violinist ceased playing, did Richard turn toward his companion. He had no idea of how much time