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

had passed.
     “Thank you for letting me join you,” he said, his words sticking together like rubber. Curling his hand around the edge of
     the bench, he swore a silent oath. Surely he could do better than this!
    She turned to look at him, her eyes meeting his once more. They were just as sharp as they’d been earlier, but he noted now
     that they were also vibrant and kind. “I was not expecting company, but it does please me to know that I am not the only one
     enjoying the music this evening. It is impossible to listen to it properly on the terrace though. That is why I came down
     here, so that I could pay proper attention to it.”
    Nodding, he tried to think of a good response. “I am sure Vivaldi would be pleased if he were still alive and present.” Dipping
     her chin, she encouraged him to continue. “As for me, I completely understand your reasoning. Music ought to be savored and
     listened to rather than heard.” Much better.
    “Precisely.” The word was softly spoken and contained a hint of curiosity, or perhaps even suspicion. “Is that why you came
     down here as well?”
    “Not exactly,” he said. “I simply wished to be alone.”
    Her eyes widened. “Then you must forgive me. I did not mean to impose.” She started to rise.
    “No.” The word punctured the air between them, halting her just as he’d intended. “Stay,” he told her softly and with a nod
     toward the bench. She lowered herself back down. “If anything, I should be the one to leave. You were here first.”
    “I know, but perhaps you are in greater need of this bench than I.”
    The way in which she spoke, with a degree of consideration he’d rarely encountered before, set her apart from any other lady
     he’d ever met. “Who are you?” he asked.
    Her lips curved to form a partial smile. “I thought the whole idea behind a masquerade was to remain anonymous.”
    “Fair enough.” He considered her a moment. “But I would like to ensure that you are not married, affianced, or otherwise attached.
     Duels can be most inconvenient, you see, which is why I do my best to avoid them at all cost.”
    A soft melodious laugh broke from between her lips. “You need not fear then, for I am not attached to any gentleman in any
     way, nor am I the sort of lady who inspires gentlemen to resort to such drastic measures.”
    Her self-deprecation startled him. “Why would you say that?”
    With a shrug, she turned her head away, offering him her profile as she stared out across the lake while wisps of hair toyed
     against her cheek. “I have always favored my own company, for it allows me the peace and quiet that my soul seems to crave.
     I am not a social creature, Sir, and as a result, I have never made much effort to be noticed.”
    “You are a wallflower then?”
    She scrunched her nose a little in response to that question. “Yes. I suppose I am.” Meeting his gaze again, she added, “I
     am also quite fond of books. In case you were wondering.”
    He hadn’t been, but was glad that she’d chosen to share the information with him nonetheless. Wanting to cheer her, he said,
     “Then I am the most fortunate of men.”
    “How so?” she asked when he hesitated.
    “Well . . . not only have I noticed you before anyone else, but I am also certain that you will be able to speak with me on
     matters of greater consequence than most.” Seeing her eyes brighten, he decided to try a bit of banter. “Unless of course
     your preferred reading material happens to be romance, in which case I am entirely doomed.”
    She laughed, just as he’d hoped. Good lord, it seemed like a lifetime since he’d last heard someone laugh. The sound spilled
     over him, brightening his spirit as it lifted away the darkness.
    “I must confess that I have read all of Jane Austen’s books.”
    He couldn’t help but frown. “Then you have probably acquired some high expectations—expectations that no mortal man can ever
     hope to live up