Free Red Roses Mean Love by Jacquie D'Alessandro Page A

said, ticking off attributes on his fingers. "Tall, slim, beautiful aqua-colored eyes…" He turned his attention back to Stephen. "Her eyes are quite extraordinary, do you not agree?"
    "I hadn't particularly noticed," Stephen lied in a tone meant to discourage further comments.
    Justin clearly took no notice of the tone. "Really? Now, where was I? Oh, yes. Miss Albright. Lovely complexion, and her hair is quite something, all those long, thick, shiny curls. Did I mention how very full her lips are or how lush and rounded her—"
    "That's quite enough, Justin," Stephen broke in, sending his friend a warning glare. The thought of Justin noticing Hayley's enticing curves and kissable lips inexplicably annoyed him. "You will please recall to whom you are speaking. I am your wife's brother. I cannot imagine
Victoria
taking kindly to your extolling the physical attributes of another woman."
    Justin's face bore a mask of innocence. "I was merely pointing out the obvious, Stephen. I meant no offense. I love your sister dearly. I'm a bit surprised that after spending the past week in Miss Albright's company, you failed to notice things about her that most men, including happily married men such as myself, couldn't help but notice immediately. In fact, I find it quite staggering that you of all people, one of London 's most notable connoisseurs of beautiful women, failed to notice her obvious attributes."
    Stephen gritted his teeth against Justin's teasing and kept walking. Oh, he'd noticed Hayley Albright's attributes. Every last one of them. Yesterday afternoon he'd wandered through the garden, pausing frequently to rest. He'd come upon Hayley kneeling in the dirt, pulling weeds from a flower bed. When she smiled up at him, his mouth had gone dry.
    The setting sun gleamed behind her, bathing her in soft hues of orange and gold. Loose chestnut tendrils escaped her chignon, surrounding her face like a soft cloud, and a smudge of dirt marred one creamy cheek. Stephen's gaze had drifted over her, and in spite of her disheveled appearance and drab gown, he'd experienced an immediate physical reaction.
    "Caring for all those children is quite a responsibility for a young unmarried woman," Justin remarked, jerking Stephen's thoughts back to the present. "I suppose she must have inherited quite a sum in order to keep the family housed and fed."
    "I don't know. Her father was a sea captain, I believe."
    Justin frowned. "A sea captain? Albright? By any chance was her father Tripp Albright?"
    Stephen shrugged. "I suppose it's possible. Who is Tripp Albright?"
    Justin stared at him, his amazement clear. "Only one of the most fabled sea captains ever to sail the seas. Haven't you heard tales of his exploits?"
    Stephen racked his memory, then slowly nodded. "Yes, I believe I may have. But not for quite some time."
    "As I recall, he died a number of years ago from a fever he caught in the tropics."
    "Hayley's father died three years ago."
    "It must be the same man," Justin said. "Albright isn't a common surname. From what I recall, he was quite a colorful character."
    At that moment, both men's attention was drawn to the sight of Hayley walking from the stables, leading Pericles by the reins. She stopped and fed the horse an apple, which he delicately ate from her hand, then nuzzled her neck with his nose. She caught sight of them watching her and waved her hand in greeting.
    Justin stared, clearly dumbfounded. "Is that what I think it is?"
    Stephen couldn't help but be amused by the stunned expression on Justin's face. "You mean Hayley turning my formidable stallion into a cooing dove? Your eyes aren't deceiving you, Justin. I witnessed a similar scene yesterday and my jaw nearly dropped to the ground. The woman has a way with horses. She's even ridden the beast."
    "My God, Stephen. You're not afraid he'll hurt her?"
    "Look at him. He's porridge in her hands. And he's apparently even taken a shine to the Albrights' horse." He watched Pericles