The Story of a Baron (The Sisters of the Aristocracy) by Linda Rae Sande Page B

purpose of reading. And shelves and shelves of books lined the walls all the way up to the coffered ceiling. Two large windows provided most of the light in the room whilst a massive chandelier, hung directly over the seating area, gave off a warm glow. Although not lit, several floor lamps were positioned next to nearly every chair in the room.
    Stilling himself, Jeffrey took a sniff and was rewarded with the scents of wood, leather and vanilla tinged with lemon. He inhaled and smiled, feeling suddenly at home in a room he had only been in the one other time.
    As Jeffrey quickly scanned the collection of books, he remembered thinking that Evangeline had probably read every one of them.
    Poor girl!
    “Good morning, Lord Sommers,” Evangeline said from behind him. He turned to find her framed in the doorway, her blonde hair swept up in a simple chignon and her willowy frame ensconced in a light coral round gown. With her hands clasped together in front of her, she looked like an angel. Her curtsy was simple but deep.
    Jeffrey hurried up to her, giving her a bow before taking her bare hand to kiss the back of it. He wished he could instead take her in his arms and kiss her on the lips. What a pleasant way to start the day, if only it could be so , he thought as he reluctantly released her hand. “Good day, Lady Evangeline,” he replied. “I trust you are well today,” he said, noting how she seemed to glow under the gaslight of the chandelier.
    “I am. And I do hope you weren’t caught in the rain as you made your way here?” she countered as she entered the room. She moved to the only piece of furniture that would accommodate two people – a leather upholstered sofa fronted by a low table. The Story of a Baron lay open to the fourth chapter of the book.
    Jeffrey glanced at one of the windows, where rivulets of water traced their way down the glass pane. “I was not,” Jeffrey replied as he moved to the sofa. Had he waited just one more minute to leave Sommers Place, he would have been as drenched as he was the day before when he took his leave of Grosvenor Square.
    “Jones, could you please see to tea and biscuits?” Evangeline called out, knowing the butler was hovering just outside the door. He had warned her he would do so when she told him of her plan to host the baron. “We’ll only be reading,” she’d said in her most proper manner, all the while wishing they could be doing something far more illicit. Like holding hands or kissing. Or ...
    “Yes, milady,” could be heard in the man’s distinctive baritone.
    Smiling coyly, Evangeline joined Jeffrey and took a seat. The baron followed her, quick to flip his coattails behind him as he did so. For a brief moment, she was blessed with the sight of Jeffrey’s rather well-sculpted bottom as it made its way down to sit next to hers. A shiver of excitement shot through her entire body, leaving behind a series of delightful tingles.
    As they had been on park benches for the past two days, his muscular thighs were suddenly next to hers, straining the leather of his doeskin breeches.
    “Would milady like to wait for tea before we begin? Or shall we get started?” Jeffrey wondered as he moved to reach for the book.
    Evangeline had a passing thought of what else they could be starting. A kiss, perhaps . Giving her head a quick shake, as if to clear it of the inappropriate image, she replied, “Yes, let’s. It may be awhile before the tea tray arrives.”
    Nodding, Jeffrey pulled the open book onto their laps, positioning it much as it had been whilst they read in the park. Giving each other a quick glance, they began to read Chapter Four.

Chapter 18
    Chapter Four: Invitations Arrive
    Her maid dispatched to put away her purchases, Lady Geraldine Porterhouse made her way to the parlor and rang for tea. Her spirits still rather low, she was surprised when the butler arrived with a silver salver in one hand and a calling card in the other.
    She helped herself to