Read Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure: A Summersby Tale for Free Online

sound rather like a woman?”
    Alexandra stared back at him in horror. How could she have been so clumsy to forget her female voice? “What do you mean?” she asked, lowering her voice another octave for good measure.
    “Well,” he drawled. “You’re just as touchy and scarcely any fun at all, unless you get to have your way. All the men of my acquaintance are far more laid back. And they would never disapprove of all my conquests.”
    Oh dear.
    She hadn’t considered that her personality might interfere with her plan of deception. There was really nothing for it but to add another lie to the ever-increasing pile.
    “What I disapprove of is the idea of having several mistresses all at once. I find it dishonorable. A gentleman ought to have either one mistress alone, or, a string of women left behind him in the wake. Women with whom one never forms an attachment. I for one prefer the latter.”
    She could see Ryan’s eyes bulging out of his head as soon as she’d said her piece, but it had to be done. If Michael were really going to think her a man, she’d at least have to tell him she’d bedded a few ladies over the years, no matter how disgusting she found it. Was this really what men discussed with one another? How utterly base and vile.
    Michael grinned. “Now that’s more like it, Summersby. For a second there, I thought you might be a backgammon player . . .”
    Alexandra gave him a blank stare.
    “I thought you might prefer men.”
    This again.
    “I already told you that I don’t,” she snapped. “I love a woman’s company just as much as you and my brothers.”
    “That is . . .” Michael seemed to fumble about his brain for the correct word. “Quite reassuring.”
    There was a moment’s pause, which was soon smothered by another bout of laughter from both men. Alexandra rolled her eyes. “If that’s all,” she said. “I should like to return to my bed.”
    “Is that all?” Michael asked Ryan. “I could have sworn we had something more to say. My brain is so damn fogged I cannot seem to think straight.”
    “I think it had something to do with a game of cards,” Ryan remarked.
    Alexandra was even more confused now. “Cards?”
    “Ah yes, so it did. Whist, to be precise.” Michael looked quite smug all of a sudden—as if he were the keeper of a great secret. “Your brother’s a remarkably good player. I dare say he won. Beat me fair and square.”
    Alexandra’s gaze shifted to Ryan, who’d finally managed to gather himself up off the floor and was now giving her a toothy grin. “William shan’t be harmed. Ashford has given me his word on it.”
    “Is that true?” Alexandra asked warily, returning her attention to Michael. She wasn’t quite ready to trust anything he said just yet.
    “It is indeed,” he slurred, nodding his head in a less than elegant fashion.
    “Thank you,” she said, after a moment’s hesitation. “I’m much obliged. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get some rest before we set out tomorrow. And judging from the state you two are in, I’d certainly advise you to do the same.”
    “Duly noted,” Michael said, with an overstated salute. He then turned about somewhat awkwardly until he found Ryan. “Come along, Summersby. We have our orders.”
    Alexandra stared after them as they wobbled away down the corridor. Remaining indifferent toward Michael was quite possibly the most difficult thing she’d ever had to do. As much as she was loathe to admit it, he occupied far too many of her thoughts. Her attraction to the man was starting to get annoying. It’s not as if they’d ever form an attachment.
    Get a hold of yourself.
    She was Alexandra Summersby after all—not some simple country girl about to be sucked in by a handsome face. Besides, he wasn’t even charming, but rather . . . ugh, she didn’t know what he was exactly, but he certainly wasn’t worth wasting precious hours of sleep over.
    She and Ashford? Ha! It was impossible,