Read The Story of a Baron (The Sisters of the Aristocracy) for Free Online Page B

not, actually,” she replied with an eyebrow that arched suggestively. “A situation that will probably not change until my brother can see fit to spend more than a fortnight in London. Or a highwayman kidnaps me and takes me to Gretna Green,” she added in a suddenly excited voice, one eyebrow arching up again, as if she found the prospect of an elopement preferable to a more respectable betrothal.
    Frowning, Matthew wondered where in the world Richard Porterhouse might be at the moment. “Is Afterly still in Greece?” he guessed, his frown forming a vertical line between his brows.
    “Rome now, I think,” Geraldine replied with a shrug. “But I’ve received word he will be returning soon. Which means he’s about to run out of funding and needs to come home to beg for more,” she said sotto voce . “I certainly hope he remembered his promise to bring me back a bauble or two from Italy. Seems the least he can do after leaving me alone for so long.”
    Matthew nodded his understanding. Richard Porterhouse spent months abroad on archeological expeditions, digging up bits of pottery and other remnants of societies long dead. “Does he truly leave you ... alone?” Matthew asked with concern, a shiver of excitement traveling down his spine as another part of him anticipated what he could be doing with the divine Miss Porterhouse until her brother returned from the Continent. Kissing her, certainly. Divesting her of the ridiculous pink gown she wore. Taking his time as he learned every inch of her with his tongue and teeth and the tips of his fingers. Burying himself inside her. Taking his pleasure until he was delirious. Giving her pleasure until she nearly fainted. And then doing it all over again the next day.
    “Why, Lord Ballantine, you naughty boy,” Geraldine replied with a lifted eyebrow, her voice suggesting she wasn’t teasing but guessing exactly what he was thinking.
    His face reddening at her comment, Matthew wondered how he could respond. Agree with her assessment? He was thinking rather naughty thoughts of her just then.
    Deny he had been thinking any such things? He could, but then he’d be telling a lie.
    Ignore her comment? Ignore it, and then say something completely unrelated so she would be forced to change the subject?
    He was about to agree with her when the earl’s daughter suddenly stopped, forcing Matthew to spin to his right as her hand still clung to his arm. Geraldine’s maid, only a few steps behind them, nearly collided with her mistress.
    Almost face-to-face, Matthew regarded Geraldine with a stunned look. “My lady?” he said in alarm.
    Geraldine blinked, and her mouth was open as if she were about to speak, but no sound came out at first. Lowering her face, Geraldine sighed. “I apologize, my lord,” she said in a small voice. “I ... I cannot believe I could be so ... bold . So brazen. You must think me awfully uncouth,” she added in a most apologetic tone.
    Matthew stared at the suddenly sorrowful woman who stood before him. Her confident air had been replaced with one of contrition, her willowy frame appearing shrunken as her shoulders slumped. He thought he saw her eyes brighten with unshed tears. And at the thought that she might start to cry right there in the middle of New Bond Street had the baron in a state of near panic. “My lady, whatever you are thinking, let me assure you, there is no reason to believe that you have offended me, for you have not,” he assured her. “And I ... I do not think of you as particularly bold. Or brazen,” he added for good measure.
    Liar , he thought just as quickly. For, compared to other ladies of the ton , he suddenly realized Lady Geraldine was rather bold. And a bit too brazen, in fact. And the only woman on the planet with whom he could imagine enjoying the scandalous activities they could perform in his bedchamber.
    Or hers.
    I am going to hell .
    Geraldine lifted her head, her eyes finally meeting his. One tear had