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

was instantly furious with herself.
    “How have your travels been, Lady Beaumont?” Baron Fairfield asked.
    “Please call me Charlotte.” She already felt more comfortable here than she had anywhere else on this trip. In truth, she felt more comfortable here than she had for the past year in London. Every male in her life had been acting strangely since she met the Marquess, including her father. Every man until the Fairfields.
    “Thank you, Charlotte. Please, call me Will.” He placed his hand over his heart and nodded his head.
    “My travels have been fine, thank you Will. If I were honest, I expected a little more adventure. My father has arranged so many stops and I seem to be visiting far more than I am traveling.”
    “Be careful what you wish for, Lady Charlotte.” Graham’s eyes met hers in a level stare, but hers narrowed. How dare he tell her how to act?
    “I am certain I don’t need your advice.” Charlotte tossed her golden curls. His comments seemed to rile her. It was irritating
    “The world can be a dangerous place. Women of your station must be careful. Adventure can ruin--.”
    “I don’t need a lecture from you! What do you know about life for a woman of my station?” Her voice was rising with each word.
    Tom stepped in, changing the subject. “Tell us about your friend in Scotland.”
    Charlotte’s anger melted into a moment’s sadness before she put a smile on her face. She had to admit, at least to herself, that she wanted to find the love her friend had. “Elizabeth married a year ago and is gloriously happy. Now she is expecting their first child. I want to be there for my friend when the baby comes.”
    “That is very kind of you,” Nick casually remarked.
    “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.” Charlotte looked down at her lap. She did love her friend with all her heart, but she was a little ashamed of being jealous.
    “She is lucky to have a friend like you,” Graham added quietly.
    Charlotte’s head snapped up and she stared at him for a moment, searching for fault in his statement. Her desire to lash out at him must have been written all over her face because he drew himself up in his seat, meeting her eyes. His liquid brown eyes stared unwavering at her. They made her breath catch in her chest. “Thank you,” she finally mumbled. 
    Charlotte closed her eyes for half a second. Why was she so emotional? Graham had gotten under her skin somehow and it was wreaking havoc on her senses.
    Conversation died down again and she was glad for the reprieve. She glanced at Graham again under her lashes. He took a small bite of food. Watching his lips made her insides flutter. She looked back down at her plate. She tried to recall a man she had found more handsome. She couldn’t think of one. Then she tried to remember when she had been so annoyed by someone. No one came to mind either. It completely puzzled her.
    The meal concluded and the men around her looked at her with a question in their eyes. Usually, the men went to smoke while the women retired. With no other women about, it was slightly awkward. “Gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I think I will retire.  It was a long day in the saddle.”
    “Of course,” the baron exclaimed as all the men stood.
    She nodded and then began walking towards the door. “Good night everyone.”
     
    * * * *
    The men watched her retreat. When she had disappeared, Graham shook his head. “What do you think I did?” he asked perplexed. Charlotte seemed constantly irritated with him. He had never met someone who took such an instant dislike to him.
    “Like I said, your personality is seriously lacking.” Tom guffawed at his own joke.
    Graham cracked a smile at his brother’s bad attempt at humor. “You must be right.”
    His father slapped him on the back. “We should try to keep our guest happy. Perhaps…”
    “I will try to keep my distance from Lady Beaumont.” Graham crossed his arms over his chest and rocked back