Read By Love Undone for Free Online

the hallway. As soon as he had passed out of earshot, Maddie snorted and set the remains of her dinner aside. “Me, show him about Langley, indeed.”
    “You said you would,” her employer pointed out.
    “ You said I would. I have things to do tomorrow. I’ve been calling on Mrs. Collins every day with fresh flowers and the post since she came down with the gout, and John Ramsey wanted me to look at his new sluice gate and see if you might be interested in using the same design for the northern field. I’m certain your nephew can find someone else to follow about.”
    For a moment Malcolm gazed at her, his serious look a little unsettling. “You know, Maddie, I’ve been thinking: it might do you good to associate with those of your own station from time to time. You’ve been rusticating in Somerset for four years now.”
    She stood, her cheeks flushing. “He is not of my station, and no doubt he would be quite insulted to hear you say such a thing.” Maddie took a slow, deep breath to calm herself down. “And being in the country,” shecontinued in a more moderate tone, “is called rusticating only when you wish to be somewhere else. Which I do not.”
    “Well, Miss Willits,” he returned, the fine lines around his eyes deepening as he smiled, “I must say I’m very pleased to have you here.” He gestured at the dresser. “Now, get the cards, if you don’t mind. I need to regain some of my losses.”
    A reluctant grin touched Maddie’s lips. “Yes, you owe me four million pounds, don’t you?”
    He scowled. “Only temporarily, girl.”
     
    Warefield had said they were to meet first thing in the morning. Therefore, when Maddie crept down to the stable just after dawn, she decided it would be his own fault for missing her. He should have been more specific about the time. She would be well on her way to Harthgrove before Lord Warefield even dreamed of rising.
    Most of the household staff was still to bed as she made her way out the rear entrance through the kitchen. The spring morning air had a bite to it, and she shivered despite her warm gray riding habit. Cold or not, though, Maddie smiled in amusement as she headed down the path to the stable. Hopefully the marquis would be forced to spend the day with Sam Cardinal or Walter after all, while she could sample the new berry pastries at the bakery and chat the morning away with Squire John Ramsey and his sister.
    She strolled around to the front of the stable—and stopped in confusion. Her mare, Blossom, stood saddled and waiting for her, Walter holding the reins. “Walter, what—”
    “Good morning, Miss Willits.”
    She jumped and spun around. The marquis was mounted upon the huge bay hunter he’d brought with him from Warefield. Maddie refused to admire the beast,and instead kept her annoyed attention focused on Langley’s unwelcome guest. He sat easily, looking down at her with a slight smile on his blasted handsome face. The early morning sun lightened the jade of his eyes to emerald. The marquis leaned forward with a creak of leather, taking several moments to peruse quite thoroughly her attire. No doubt he thought it cheap—though even her completely unflatterable self couldn’t help but notice the twinkle in his gaze and the responding flutter along her nerves.
    Feeling distinctly outmaneuvered, she smiled and curtsied. “Good morning, my lord.”
    “I’d begun to wonder whether you’d forgotten our appointment.” He wheeled the bay about as it pranced impatiently. “We did say first thing in the morning, did we not?”
    “Yes, we did, my lord,” she conceded airily, yanking the mare’s reins from Walter’s startled hands and stalking over so the groom could hand her up into the saddle. “I daresay I shall be the envy of the entire countryside today, being in your lordship’s company.”
    “I daresay that’s far too generous, but thank you for the compliment.”
    “You are quite welcome, my lord.” She nudged Blossom