Free The Secrets of a Lady by Jenna Petersen

about all that!”
    Releasing his arm, she crossed over to the bed and leaned her forehead against the bedpost.
    “Noah?” she whispered.
    “Yes?” His voice just as soft. All the heat and anger was gone from his demeanor.
    “Do you think I trade my body for secrets?”
    When Griffin made that angry accusation in the drawing room, it had hurt her, for it was often what she feared she did.
    “No!” Noah caught her in his arms to hug her tightly. “No. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that. You’re a good and decent woman. I’ve seen you hold up in the worst of circumstances. You should never walk with your head down in shame for what you’ve done for your country, Audrey.”
    With a small squeeze, she stepped from his embrace. “Thank you. You’re a good brother.”
    Noah smiled at her. “Goodnight, Audrey.”
    “Goodnight,” she said, watching him go back to the door and open it. “Oh, and Noah?”
    “Yes?”
    “Go to bed. Don’t start a fight with Griffin tonight.” She stared at him evenly. “Please, for me.”
    Noah seemed to contemplate her request before he nodded. “For you, Audrey. But don’t believe for a moment that I’ll forget. I owe my friend a very serious conversation. Very serious, indeed.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    Griffin peeked around the corner into the dining room, but immediately pulled back with a grimace. Audrey was inside reading the Morning Chronicle . There was no way he could evade her now unless he avoided breakfast completely, and for some reason his stomach was begging for food. In fact, he hadn’t been so ravenous in months.
    It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see Audrey. On the contrary, he’d thought of her all night. And that was why he had to stay away. After their kiss, his friendship with Noah, Audrey’s cover, and even his own sanity were all in jeopardy.
    He had to treat this encounter as a test of his wavering control. One he had no choice but to pass.
    With a deep breath, he strolled into the room.
    “Good morning, Audrey,” he said, sitting down at the head of the table and giving her what he hoped was a nonchalant smile.
    The paper rattled as she stiffened. “Go-good morning, my lord.”
    As she began the awkward task of refolding the paper, he took the opportunity to look at her more closely. Her eyes were a bit dull from lack of sleep and her face was an alluring shade of pale pink. Triumph surged through him. His kiss had affected her as much as him. Thoughts of it and her had plagued him, first causing sleeplessness and then restless, hot dreams that made him wake aching for her.
    The swish of the paper brought him back to matters at hand. Audrey had succeeded in folding it, but it was mangled.
    “What are you doing?” he asked with a cocked eyebrow.
    She blinked in confusion. “Having breakfast.”
    His gaze drifted over to the plate in front of her. It contained a dry crust of toasted bread, with no evidence that anything else had ever been there.
    “Dry toast and tea?” he queried, meeting her eyes with wry smile. “Is that any way to start the day?”
    She frowned and the edge of challenge returned to her voice. “I wasn’t hungry.”
    “Hmmm, I wonder why.” He stirred cream into his own tea while he enjoyed the stunned look on her face. Whether it was a good idea or not, he loved to tease her. It made him feel light as he hadn’t for years.
    She cleared her throat and rose to her feet. With a swift nod, she held out the mess that had once been the Chronicle .
    “I took the liberty of reading it first. I hope you don’t mind. Good day.”
    Griffin leapt to his feet and caught her wrist gently. “Wait Audrey.”
    “What is it?” Her eyes trailed to the hand on her wrist as the slightest shiver moved through her.
    “Why are you running?” With more reluctance than was healthy, he let her go. “We’re friends, aren’t we? Can’t we simply break our fast together as friends do?”
    A flash of