be delighted to
escort both of these beautiful ladies to the table.”
He offered
his other arm to Aelwyd, and they proceeded in the direction of the dining
room, leaving Griffin standing alone at the foot of the staircase.
Catlin
twisted her head slightly to look back at Griffin. He shot her a wide, devilish
grin that displayed his perfect white teeth. She shivered at the voracious look
he gave her, and then turned away to find her older sister studying the
exchange between them.
Aelwyd's
brow wrinkled and her expression hardened into a cold mask. Catlin resisted the
urge to stick out her tongue in defiance. Instead, she turned back to Lord Cranbourne
to bestow what she hoped was her most gracious and dazzling smile upon him.
“I hope you
are planning a long stay with us, Miss Glyndwr.” Lord Cranbourne said.
Catlin
shrugged and leaned toward him, letting her scent of sweet herbs and roses
drift up to entice him even more. “We shall see how long you can endure our
company, my Lord. Since you have only recently recovered your health, I hope we
do not tire you overmuch.”
Lord Cranbourne
gently raised her gloved hand to his lips. “I cannot imagine any tonic more
healing then two such lovely women in my home.” He kissed her hand. When he
lifted his head a bright smile slowly spread across his face. “In fact, you
have not only restored my health, but the very presence of such charming ladies
has lifted my dark spirits to make me giddy with the delight of your company.
“And after
dinner, perhaps we can enjoy some games. It has been ages since I have played at
cards.” He called over his shoulder, “What say you, Sir Reynolds, are you
willing to roll the dice and take your chances with our lovely guests this
evening.”
“You know
I’m always willing to tempt the fates,” Griffin said. “But you would be wise to
guard your treasure well, for I’m inclined to steal it away from you.”
Catlin
turned to see a feral glow in his eyes that kindled a heated response and
burned to her very core. She shivered again, enticed by the way his gaze slowly
rolled down her body, then back to focus upon her mouth.
She licked
her lips as his eyes grew darker and sultrier. She knew she played a dangerous
game, yet the man tempted and captivated her like no other before him. As she
swept toward the dining room, Catlin understood exactly how a wild rabbit felt
when a great hawk swooped above it. Beautiful to behold, but deadly to
encounter.
Was Sir
Griffin Reynolds the dangerous stranger who meant to harm her and her sisters?
Catlin
didn’t want to stay away from Griffin. Despite her sister’s warning and
Catlin’s own promise, she had to figure out her mysterious attraction to the
man. She most certainly couldn’t do that by avoiding him.
Chapter Nine
The dinner
was a boisterous and lively affair, with the small party seated at a round table
set at one end of the large formal dining room.
Lord Cranbourne
explained his decision to forgo the formal table for something more intimate.
Catlin
nearly giggled at the nobleman’s exuberance. What a delightful change from
yesterday.
“I rarely
have the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of even one beautiful woman. I vow I
shall not squander this chance to converse with two beauties by installing you
at various ends of that monstrous mahogany table.”
They all
took their places, allowing the footmen to seat them.
“I’m afraid
we won’t be enjoying a large supper this evening, for my chef has been
accustomed to creating thin soups and bland gruel for my palate.” Lord Cranbourne
shrugged. “I believe he shall do well enough though, for my father brought him
all the way from France. My butler tells me he is most enthusiastic to learn we
have company this evening.”
Lord Cranbourne
took great delight in naming all the rich, delicious food they were eating. The
first course consisted of rich crayfish bisque garnished with crème
escort both of these beautiful ladies to the table.”
He offered
his other arm to Aelwyd, and they proceeded in the direction of the dining
room, leaving Griffin standing alone at the foot of the staircase.
Catlin
twisted her head slightly to look back at Griffin. He shot her a wide, devilish
grin that displayed his perfect white teeth. She shivered at the voracious look
he gave her, and then turned away to find her older sister studying the
exchange between them.
Aelwyd's
brow wrinkled and her expression hardened into a cold mask. Catlin resisted the
urge to stick out her tongue in defiance. Instead, she turned back to Lord Cranbourne
to bestow what she hoped was her most gracious and dazzling smile upon him.
“I hope you
are planning a long stay with us, Miss Glyndwr.” Lord Cranbourne said.
Catlin
shrugged and leaned toward him, letting her scent of sweet herbs and roses
drift up to entice him even more. “We shall see how long you can endure our
company, my Lord. Since you have only recently recovered your health, I hope we
do not tire you overmuch.”
Lord Cranbourne
gently raised her gloved hand to his lips. “I cannot imagine any tonic more
healing then two such lovely women in my home.” He kissed her hand. When he
lifted his head a bright smile slowly spread across his face. “In fact, you
have not only restored my health, but the very presence of such charming ladies
has lifted my dark spirits to make me giddy with the delight of your company.
“And after
dinner, perhaps we can enjoy some games. It has been ages since I have played at
cards.” He called over his shoulder, “What say you, Sir Reynolds, are you
willing to roll the dice and take your chances with our lovely guests this
evening.”
“You know
I’m always willing to tempt the fates,” Griffin said. “But you would be wise to
guard your treasure well, for I’m inclined to steal it away from you.”
Catlin
turned to see a feral glow in his eyes that kindled a heated response and
burned to her very core. She shivered again, enticed by the way his gaze slowly
rolled down her body, then back to focus upon her mouth.
She licked
her lips as his eyes grew darker and sultrier. She knew she played a dangerous
game, yet the man tempted and captivated her like no other before him. As she
swept toward the dining room, Catlin understood exactly how a wild rabbit felt
when a great hawk swooped above it. Beautiful to behold, but deadly to
encounter.
Was Sir
Griffin Reynolds the dangerous stranger who meant to harm her and her sisters?
Catlin
didn’t want to stay away from Griffin. Despite her sister’s warning and
Catlin’s own promise, she had to figure out her mysterious attraction to the
man. She most certainly couldn’t do that by avoiding him.
Chapter Nine
The dinner
was a boisterous and lively affair, with the small party seated at a round table
set at one end of the large formal dining room.
Lord Cranbourne
explained his decision to forgo the formal table for something more intimate.
Catlin
nearly giggled at the nobleman’s exuberance. What a delightful change from
yesterday.
“I rarely
have the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of even one beautiful woman. I vow I
shall not squander this chance to converse with two beauties by installing you
at various ends of that monstrous mahogany table.”
They all
took their places, allowing the footmen to seat them.
“I’m afraid
we won’t be enjoying a large supper this evening, for my chef has been
accustomed to creating thin soups and bland gruel for my palate.” Lord Cranbourne
shrugged. “I believe he shall do well enough though, for my father brought him
all the way from France. My butler tells me he is most enthusiastic to learn we
have company this evening.”
Lord Cranbourne
took great delight in naming all the rich, delicious food they were eating. The
first course consisted of rich crayfish bisque garnished with crème
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