Stealing a Lady's Heart: A Regency Fairytale (Fairfield Fairytales Book 1) Read Free

she found it irritating. How dare he laugh at her? Charlotte glared at him with open hostility. Shaking her head, she turned back to Baron Fairfield. 
    “Let us go inside. You must be tired and hungry after such a long journey.”  The baron gestured toward the front door.
    “That sounds lovely.” The baron took her arm and Charlotte turned away from Graham, purposefully avoiding his eyes. Instead, she looked toward the crumbling manor. Repairs were being made but Charlotte wondered if it would be enough to save the place.
    Not that she minded, although some ladies would. She had never cared for material items.  She often felt most comfortable when at the orphanage in plain clothes or out in the country where she knew she wasn’t being watched. 
    Even if all that weren’t true, she already liked the family. She could certainly forgive them hard times. They were warmer and more masculine than any man she had met in a long time. Well, she liked them all except for Graham. His cocky manner irritated her. She couldn’t believe she had stuttered in front of him. It was ridiculous. He was obviously used to women fawning over him. Why, he was probably a rake.
    She stole a glance at him behind her. His walk had a confident casual air that made her breathless. Looking at his broad shoulders and narrow hips filled her body with heat. A sudden blush stained her cheeks. She quickly turned back around. Charlotte gritted her teeth. She would not allow herself to be interested in a likely rogue.
    Charlotte turned toward the baron, while her servants were carrying a few essentials in.  “If I could just have a few moments to freshen up.” 
    “Of course. Our butler will show you to your rooms. Wadsworth.” He turned to an ancient looking man who nodded tiredly in return.
     
    * * * *
    Graham watched the gentle sway of her hips as she ascended the staircase. As she disappeared down the hall to her room, he let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping. He glanced over at his brothers who were also staring at the spot where she had disappeared.
    “Eeh gads, she’s a looker.” Nick quirked a lopsided grin.
    “Did you see her hair? Spun gold doesn’t do it justice.” Tom wiggled his eyebrows.
    “The eyes, the lips, the hips. That woman is an angel from Heaven.” Graham rested his elbow on the banister and leaned his face on his fist.
    “Not too fussy either. Never said a word about the manor being so worn down. Friendly to us even though we’re not as titled or rich,” Will said glancing up the stairs towards her room again.
    “Don’t get any ideas, boys. She is rich and titled and will not be marrying a poor baron’s son. And she is certainly not for anything other than marrying.” Baron Fairfield looked directly at his son Graham.
    “Don’t worry about him,” Tom grinned. “She loved him than hated him in the span of a second. His personality is always getting in the way of his good looks.”
    Graham good-naturedly punched his brother’s arm, meeting Tom’s grin. Graham had also noticed Charlotte’s annoyance with him. He hadn’t meant anything by the chuckle when she had stuttered, but he supposed that men never laughed at her. They were too busy trying to impress her. Well, there was nothing he could do about that. He wouldn’t work to impress her. It was a fool’s errand.
    The men headed to the smaller lounge to have a drink, expecting to wait awhile. But Charlotte soon reappeared. Will cocked an eyebrow at Graham, who gave a single nod. Will’s theory about her not being fussy was further proven. The group headed to the great hall to share a meal.
     
    * * * *
    Charlotte assessed the men around her as she ate. The brothers were silently eating, their plates loaded with food. They must be helping with the house repair. There was no way they could be that thin and eat that much if they weren’t doing hard labor.
    Charlotte blushed as her gaze glanced over Graham’s body. It was lean, hard and masculine. She