Free The Scandal in Kissing an Heir by Sophie Barnes Page B

Laura’s gaze. “What do you suppose it means?”
    Laura shrugged. “I can’t begin to imagine. Men’s stuff, I suppose.”
    Rebecca frowned. “Perhaps you’re right,” she said. She was suddenly terribly worried that Mr. Neville would not succeed in his efforts and that her uncle would turn him away the next time he called. It was an outcome she ought to expect, yet she found herself praying that it would not be so—that she might be allowed some measure of happiness in her life. “It’s just . . . I have a strong feeling that Aunt and Uncle are hoping to gain something from my marriage, though I’ve yet to determine what exactly. Aunt has made it clear to me that she wants me to marry the duke and that Mr. Neville will never do, so I fear that whatever Mr. Neville’s agreement may be with my uncle, it will come to naught.”
    “You mustn’t distress yourself so much until there is cause to do so. It is clear that Mr. Neville is determined to win your hand. Why not give him a chance to prove himself without doubting his capabilities? Trust him, my lady. I’m sure he’ll find a way to make you his. Come, why don’t you work a bit on your watercolors? They always seem to lift your spirits whenever you’re feeling out of sorts.”
    “You are by far the best maid a lady could wish for, Laura.”
    “Thank you, my lady.” Walking over to the table, she poured a cup of tea and brought it over to Rebecca. “Two days isn’t so long. He’ll be back soon enough, and then everything will be resolved.”
    The thought of seeing Mr. Neville again filled Rebecca’s mind, and she allowed a smile to surface as a warm feeling of anticipation settled over her. She looked forward to his next visit and to discovering what on earth he could possibly have done to change her uncle’s mind.

Chapter 6

    T hirteen thousand pounds. It was an outrageous sum of money by any standard, but Lord Grifton had shown no sign of remorse when he’d mentioned it to Daniel. He had simply spoken the number with a careless abandon as if it had been his due. And Daniel had accepted the challenge. He spurred his horse onward, determined to make it to London before it was too late in the day. How the hell he was going to obtain so much money when his own coffers were practically depleted he couldn’t say. But he knew that he had to at least try, because if he was certain of anything at all, it was that he desperately wanted to make Lady Rebecca his.
    Christ! The very thought of her having to share a bed with Topperly or Grover turned his stomach. When they’d walked in the garden at Kingsborough Hall, there had been a spark in her eyes, but that had significantly dwindled between then and today, as if she’d now resigned herself to her fate. Somehow he had to find the means to save her. Never in his life had he seen a woman more beautiful than she. He longed to run his fingers along her smooth skin, skin that looked tanned and healthy rather than pale and sickly, as was customary among the ton . And her hair! Lord, he couldn’t ignore his constant urge to pull it free of its fastenings and watch it cascade over her shoulders . . . sleek as rich black satin.
    But when he’d complimented her on her looks, she’d looked apprehensive. She’d made an attempt to cover it with a smile, but he’d seen the doubt in the depths of her eyes. For whatever reason, Lady Rebecca had no idea that Mother Nature had blessed her with an abundance of beauty. Her dark brown eyes framed by thick black lashes, high cheekbones, a delicate jawline and full lips that reminded him of rose petals should have been the envy of every woman. And then there was her figure. Daniel winced at the sudden discomfort that overtook him at just thinking about the fullness of her breasts, her slim waistline and the curve of her hips. But none of this would have been enough to inspire the sort of lust he felt for her had it not been for the clever rejoinders and wit that