Free Sins of a Wicked Princess by Anna Randol Page B

her.”
    She’d actually come? He covered the distance to the bedroom in a few strides. His first impression was that it wasn’t Apple.
    She looked far too young and innocent. And clean, for that matter.
    She wasn’t truly asleep. Her eyes were clenched too tightly closed and her body was too stiff.
    “Glad you were smart enough to come, Apple.”
    She peeped one eye open. “Can’t sleep in this bed. The bloody thing’s about to swallow me whole.” But her eye closed suspiciously fast.
    “I’m also glad you bathed.”
    This time she sighed. “And the water were clean and warm.” But then both eyes opened. “Don’t you think I’ll be staying here long, though. I’ll likely be gone come morning.”
    “Good. It will save me from having to toss you out on your skinny rump.”
    Canterbury glared.
    But Apple grinned; the last thing she would have wanted was to be kept. If he tried to trap her, she’d be gone for good. She relaxed again. “Cor, but this pillow is suffocating.” She was asleep by the time she’d finished speaking.
    Ian tuned back to his butler. “Stop smirking. It bespeaks very little character to move a starving child into a room I never use.”
    “So you say, sir. You realize you will have to find her a governess. It wouldn’t be proper to have a girl her age living in your rooms unchaperoned.”
    “Her age? What is she? Eight?”
    “She’s thirteen, sir.”
    Damnation. What the devil did he know about governesses? He would have sent her to Madeline, but she’d left to an undisclosed location to keep her baby safe.
    The last thing he needed right now was someone else to be responsible for. He’d already picked up one headstrong woman today. He didn’t need to add a headstrong girl.
    But apparently it was too late.
    “You’re welcome to my bed, sir,” Canterbury offered.
    Yes. As if he was going to make his elderly butler sleep on the settee. Ian sank down on the offending piece of furniture before Canterbury could protest again. “I’ll see about a governess in the morning. If she stays.” He closed his eyes, hoping to shut out the entire day. Well, perhaps not the entire day. Some of the moments with Juliana would be well worth reliving in his sleep. Her skin had been like silk under his fingers, and when she scooted closer to him on the bed . . . But those were memories he’d examine alone. “And I believe I mentioned smirking is very unbecoming in a butler.”
    “Your mother would be proud, sir.”
    Ian rolled over, turning his back to the interfering old biddy. “My mother is dead.”

Chapter Fourteen
    L eucretia sailed into Juliana’s study. She was dressed in a rather scandalous crimson gown that would have raised eyebrows if worn by a younger woman, but she somehow managed to wear it with more grace and daring than Juliana would ever manage. “What is this I hear about us leaving for the house party early?”
    Juliana set down the letter she was reading. She’d already practiced the lie several times. “Gregory told me he’d heard that Prince Wilhelm might be leaving early. I have no desire to go to the party only to discover my main reason for being there is gone.” Hopefully, it contained enough of her normal dislike of such events and yet explained her seeming eagerness to attend this particular one.
    She needed more practice with Ian’s tricks because after a careful study, Leucretia narrowed her eyes. “You have no fondness for Sommet.”
    Juliana had never been able to hide anything from her aunt. But she could distract her. “But he has a fondness for you.” At least it appeared so from the way Sommet always lingered over her aunt’s hand.
    Leucretia smoothed a hand down her still trim figure. “He was a rogue back in the day. Although I’ll admit I question what I saw in him. I am, however, looking forward to this house party. He always does manage to assemble the most interesting guests.” She perched on the chair across from Juliana’s desk.