Free Undressed (Undone by Love) by Kristina Cook Page B

to introduce Bren—Lady Margaret to Lady Wellesley,” Jane said gaily, though he saw her eyes dart suspiciously from Brenna to him and back to Brenna again .
    What had they seen ? Or worse yet, heard? He wanted to kiss Brenna. More than anything, he wanted to take her in his arms, right there by the canal, and kiss her till her legs went weak, till she clung to him in desperation, calling out his name over and over again.
    He forced himself to look at her, standing there demurely, clasping her hands in front of herself while Jane made the introductions . She looked like an angel, as unspoiled and untouched as any woman he’d ever met. God’s teeth, he was a rogue. He would be the ruin of her yet.
    “If you’ll pardon me, ladies.”  Without another word, he turned and walked away, wishing to put as much distance between himself and Brenna as possible, yet wanting more than anything to remain by her side forever .

     
    Chapter 6
     
    “Ye wished to see me?” Brenna asked, stepping into the salon. Her mother sat in a stuffed chintz chair before the fire, her father standing behind his wife with one hand resting upon her shoulder. Brenna’s palms suddenly felt damp, and she wiped them across her skirts as her heart fluttered in anticipation. Why ever had they summoned her? Had she done something to displease them?
    “Please have a seat, my dear.”  Her father motioned toward the sofa directly across from them.
    Brenna nodded and took a seat, clasping her hands in her lap. She waited expectantly as her mother glanced up at her father.
    “Ahem . Well, then. Yes. Your mother tells me that you spent the day at St. James’s Park with Miss Jane Rosemoor.”
    “’Tis true . I like her verra much, sir.”
    “Yes, yes . Capital. But she also tells me that Miss Rosemoor’s brother, Mr. Colin Rosemoor, joined you on this outing, taking refreshments with you and squiring you about the promenades and such.”
    “Aye, he did.”  Her hands grew suddenly cold . “We were introduced at Lady Brandon’s soiree.”  It wasn’t entirely true, as they were never formally introduced. But she thought it wise not to mention the true nature of their initial encounters, either here at home or in Lady Brandon’s garden. She somehow doubted either would be deemed appropriate.
    “Well, my dear, first impressions are often misleading . I’m afraid he is not the gentleman he may seem to be. Young Rosemoor has always had a bit of a wild, reckless streak in him, but now he’s gone too far.”
    “Much too far,” her mother interjected, her mouth set in a hard line . “Despite his fine family and advantageous connections, he has—”
    “But none of it is true.”  Brenna rose, her hands balled into fists by her sides . “Mr. Rosemoor is an honorable man.”
    “Says who?” her mother asked . “Miss Rosemoor? Of course she would take up for her brother.”
    “Nay, Miss Rosemoor has said nothing about her brother . But Colin has said—”
    “ Colin ?” her father barked, his face reddening. “Has he trifled with you, Margaret?”
    Her mother leaned back in her chair, rapidly fanning her face . “Dear Lord above. I need my vinaigrette!”
    “Nay, sir . Of course he has not trifled with me. He is a gentleman in every respect.”
    “A gentleman ? Bah.”  Her mother sat upright, her fan suddenly stilled in her lap. “Did he tell you that he has been cast from White’s? That he was caught red-handed, fleecing the Duke of Glastonbury out of a fair amount of blunt? That he’s no longer received in any respectable drawing room in all of London?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “There are no buts, Margaret,” her mother interrupted. “What about that business last week in Covent Garden? Did he tell you about that? About Lord Mandeville dragging Mr. Rosemoor out of some seedy public house just before he’d compromised the barkeep’s wife? It is only thanks to Mandeville’s interference that Mr. Rosemoor did not have to face the