Read The Seduction of Lady Charity: The Baxendale Sisters Book Four for Free Online Page B

cold, my love. Are you sure you should?”
    “A Scottish autumn won’t kill me. Don’t mollycoddle me, my dear.” He unfurled his newspaper with a snap. “We have been confined to this house for too long. It will do us all good.”
    Charity wasn’t sure how she felt about bearding the lion in his den. Gunn was inclined to sweep away all opposition to his wishes with a shrug of his big shoulders and a decisive nod of his auburn head. Might he have an ulterior motive in wanting her to come? Was she in danger of being swept off her feet? Aware that her well-guarded freedom was at stake, she glanced at her mother, who seemed reluctant. Yet even she made no bones about the fact she wanted Charity to marry.
    “I don’t see how I can accept. I must complete the portrait of Chaloner’s children, and now Mrs. Seymour has asked me to capture Herbert in oils before he loses his front tooth—”
    “It’s so horrid out.” Mercy entered the room in a rush, swiping a damp blonde ringlet from her eyes.
    With a tsk, Mama patted the sofa. “Have you been out in this weather? You’ll catch your death. Come and sit by the fire.”
    Smelling of cold, fresh air, Mercy threw herself down beside Charity. “I took Wolf for a walk. Is that a letter? Who’s it from?”
    “We are discussing a possible trip to Scotland,” Charity said. “Lord Gunn has invited us to the unveiling of his portrait.”
    “Oh yes, do let’s go. I should very much like to see Gunn’s castle. I spoke to him outside on the carriage drive. He told me it’s right by the sea.”
    “And I imagine that it would be buffeted by dreadful gale-force sea winds,” Charity said weakly, aware she was outnumbered.
    “There will be men in kilts,” Mercy added with a surprisingly wicked smile at Charity.
    “Eh?” Father dropped his paper to peer at Mercy over his glasses.
    “Tartans are beautiful,” Mercy said with a lift of her brows. “Lord Gunn’s especially.”
    It would undoubtedly be good for her reputation, Charity thought. She would just have to manage Lord Gunn. “Well, as everyone is in agreement, shall we go?”
    “We shall. We’ll spent a few days with my sister on the return journey,” Father said.
    “A splendid idea, Baxendale,” Mama said. “You shall be able to rest. It’s such a dreadfully long way.”
    “It’s a while since I’ve seen Christabel, locked away in that draughty mansion,” Father said. “Her last letter was filled with references to some book. I believe she is becoming quite peculiar.”
    Charity wondered if Robin’s castle was far from her aunt’s and if they might see him. She would so love to learn how he faired, even though she was disappointed and cross with him for no longer corresponding.
    ****
    The evening went smoothly, if one could judge by the bright chatter of his guests rising in the smoky, scented air to compete with the orchestra playing a waltz by Schubert. Robin had to admit the success of the affair gave him a good deal of satisfaction. The swirling bright silks and white debutantes’ dresses and the men in evening clothes formed a colorful kaleidoscope of movement, which was reflected in the polished parquetry of the ballroom floor and the huge gilt-framed mirrors around the walls.
    Louise and Robin’s secretary, Spencer, had done a splendid job in organizing the weekend for a hundred guests, every facility laid on for their comfort and entertainment. Breakfast had been served between ten and eleven that morning, after which the Chaplain was available for prayers in the chapel. Those guests disinclined to go on a shoot with Robin were left to their own devices, either to read in the library or visit the billiard room or the music room. Many of the ladies preferred to converse in the drawing room or wander in the gardens.
    Robin was proud of the Harwood gardens; their layout and planting was peerless, and their reputation drew many requests to view them. While he led Kitty in a waltz, he decided