Read Cupid's Mistake (Cupid Regency Romance) for Free Online Page B

lady as well. Psyche could see the arrow fading from sight as she watched.
    " Ma chère Stephanie!"
    " Oh, Phillipe, Phillipe!"
    They kissed passionately while onlookers made a wide berth around them. Some people cheered. Psyche blushed and covered her eyes.
    "Oh, Harry, how could you? In broad daylight and in the middle of the street as well!" She looked at him reproachfully through her fingers.
    " They don't seem to mind," Harry said carelessly. He twirled another arrow between his fingers in a negligent manner, a lazy smile on his face.
    Psyche peeked between her fingers at the entwined couple again, this time with more interest. She had rarely seen Harry shoot people or the immediate after-effects of one of his arrows; it had been very embarrassing to watch usually well-behaved people kiss and act in a very silly manner. She 'd mostly only seen Harry's complacent reaction after he'd made a successful hit. She had become a little curious lately, however, for she had once caught her parents kissing—briefly—and she supposed it was something adults did from time to time. "Did it hurt them? Your arrows do look sharp, you know."
    " Mortals are too dense to feel much. They felt nothing— not the arrows, that is."
    " My, it did act quickly, didn't it?"
    " I've told you it does."
    " Well, you are wont to boast, Harry, you know you are!"
    " Not I! I am in general very truthful."
    She made a face at him, then leaned against the windowsill next to him to get a better look at the pair outside. "Do they breathe much when they do that, Harry?"
    " Very much. They usually gasp like fish."
    " Good heavens, Psyche! Stop acting like a hoyden and remove yourself from that window!"
    Psyche jerked upright immediately at her mother 's voice and bumped her head on the casement handle. She rubbed her temple gingerly. "Yes, Mama," she said and stepped quickly away from the window. She could not help casting a glance at Harry, who was still watching the scene below.
    " What were you looking at?" Lady Hathaway said, going to where Psyche had stood. She leaned over and peered out the window, then straightened herself suddenly. "Scandalous! In broad daylight! I do believe it is—My word. Mademoiselle Lavoisin and the Comte de la Fer. I never would have thought it, although they do make a handsome couple. The last I heard, they were at daggers drawn with each other! One would think that well-born émigrés would comport themselves with more discretion! However, they are French." Lady Hathaway turned, a small smile of triumph on her lips. "And Hetty Chatwick is out of town today! Well, I shall have something to tell her for a change!"
    Lady Hathaway 's gaze encountered her youngest daughter, and her smile abruptly disappeared. Her eyes became stern. "And what, may I ask, were you doing staring—yes, staring —at such shocking behavior?"
    " Well, Har—" began Psyche, but Harry shook his head at her. "That is, I heard a scream, and I thought someone was injured! So naturally, I looked to see if someone was indeed hurt, so I could call for help if it were needed."
    Her mother 's eyes narrowed in a considering manner. Psyche held her breath.
    Lady Hathaway smiled then, though her eyes still held a bit of sternness. "I shall let it go this time, child, for I know you are a good girl at heart. But please! You must try to comport yourself with more decorum, and not stare or lean out of the window no matter what may be occurring in the streets! Although, I must say," Lady Hathaway mused, "that such shocking behavior would make anyone stare, to be sure! The Comte de la Fer, of all things! And I had thought him very ancient regime in his manners."
    " Oh, Mama, I am so sorry!" cried Psyche, feeling tears come to her eyes. She ran to her mother and put her arms around her. She felt terrible that she had lied, for she never liked to do so. She cast Harry a burning look, and he had the grace to look ashamed.
    " Now, now, my dear girl, there is nothing to cry