Free Practically Wicked by Alissa Johnson

adjustment to the bright light, her eyes landed on the unfamiliar gentleman standing in the center of the portico. Tall and lean, in a finely tailored suit, the Marquess of Engsly looked very much as Anna had expected, with the notable exception of his hair being a little messy and his deep-set eyes being rather dark. She had pictured the marquess with the lovely blue eyes of his father.
    Their father, she reminded herself as she assisted Mrs. Culpepper out of the carriage and up the steps of the portico. The late marquess was their father.
    “Miss Rees.” Engsly bowed low as they approached. “Welcome to Caldwell Manor.”
    And this man was her brother, standing right before her, and still it didn’t feel real to her.
    “My lord.” She curtsied smoothly, relieved when her knees of pudding held. “It was most kind of you to invite us. May I present my companion, Mrs. Culpepper?”
    Engsly bowed again but straightened with a slight frown. His eyes flicked from Anna and back to Mrs. Culpepper. “I…Forgive my bluntness, Mrs. Culpepper, but are you unwell?”
    Observant, Anna noted. And interested in the well-being of someone a man of his rank might consider well beneath his notice.
    Or fearful his guests had brought a plague to Caldwell Manor. It was difficult to say.
    Mrs. Culpepper inclined her head briefly. If she was impressed by a man of Lord Engsly’s stature, it didn’t show. But then, Mrs. Culpepper had witnessed any number of peers engaging in any number of unflattering behaviors at Anover House. The nobility’s thin layer of charm had no doubt worn away long ago.
    Or it might have been the carriage sickness. Also difficult to determine.
    “Quite, my lord,” Mrs. Culpepper replied. “It is only that travel does not agree with me.”
    “I understand. My sister-in-law is much the same.” He made a subtle motion with his hand and two maids in crisp white aprons immediately stepped forward. “Allow Faith and Mary to escort you upstairs. Would you have me send for the physician?”
    “Thank you, my lord, but no. I shall be quite well now that I’ve feet on solid ground once more. And I shall be well enough for the time being to remain here with Miss Rees—”
    “Nonsense,” Anna pressed. “You must have a rest.”
    “Well…” Mrs. Culpepper glanced at the maids, and Anna knew the woman was in more discomfort than she had let on, to even be considering the suggestion. “If you are certain?”
    Anna nodded and, not trusting herself to speak again, lest the selfish sentiment I take it back , don’t leave me alone with these people should come spilling out, pressed her lips together in what she hoped was some facsimile of a confident smile.
    Evidently, it was good enough for the ailing Mrs. Culpepper. She sent Anna a sickly and grateful look, along with a weak pat on the shoulder Anna assumed was meant to be bolstering, then allowed the maids to lead her away.
    Feeling cut adrift, Anna watched the line of staff shuffle a bit as the trio passed. A footman stepped aside to allow them entrance into the house…
    And that was when she saw him, standing bold as you please next to one of the pretty potted flowers.
    Lord Maximilian Dane.
    Oh, hell. Oh, holy hell.
    For the first time in her life, Anna knew what it meant to have the air stolen from one’s lungs. It felt, she discovered, very much as the phrase described, as if someone had reached inside her and snatched away her breath.
    She’d truly believed she’d never see him again, and his sudden presence before her now felt, if not like a blow, then an impossibly hard shove. She had the ridiculous urge to step back and call out for Mrs. Culpepper, or turn about and head straight back to the carriage. At the very least, she wanted to swear loud and long.
    This was dreadful. This was inconceivably awful.
    In the days and weeks following the realization that Max Dane would not be returning to Anover House, Anna had indulged in a daydream or two (or