Free What You Deserve (Anything for Love, Book 3) by Adele Clee Page A

huge part. And living in ignorance was often better than living with the truth.
    Good lord! She wanted to slap herself for being so weak and pathetic.
    Puffing her cheeks and exhaling loudly, she jumped off the bed and marched to the door. She could not sit in her room for the rest of the day. As mistress of the house, she ought to at least give her guest a tour.
    Tugging open the door with a newfound level of determination, she failed to notice Tristan hovering outside. By the time she looked up and met his gaze, her eagerness had given her a boost of momentum, and she barged straight into him.
    He wrapped his arm around her waist to steady them both. “I know you’re pleased I am here but don’t you think jumping into my arms is taking your appreciation a little too far. A simple thank you would have sufficed.”
    Oh, the gentleman knew what to say to unnerve her.
    Isabella straightened and stepped away. Feeling a blush rise to her cheeks, she brushed the skirt of her dress as though it was somehow to blame for her carelessness.
    She thought to make an apology but for a reason unbeknown she said, “If I wanted to show my appreciation I would find a more pleasurable way of doing so.”
    Tristan raised a brow as he folded his arms across his broad chest. “Now you have my full attention. What sort of thing did you have in mind?”
    Exchanging flirtatious quips with him had always proved entertaining. “Well, with these nimble fingers,” she said, holding her hand up and wiggling the digits, “I could entertain you for hours.”
    He cleared his throat and moistened his lips. “What a delightful thought.”
    “Of course, I shall need to dust off the pianoforte as it has not been played in years.”
    The smile touching the corners of his mouth caused a shiver of awareness to race through her.
    “I have always found music soothes my soul,” he said in a rich tone. “Indeed, I am confident that once you find your rhythm, I shall be thoroughly entertained.”
    A snigger burst from her lips. It felt wonderful to laugh again.
    His eyes sparkled like the sun’s reflection on water. When he laughed she knew it to be genuine for his smile illuminated his face. In that moment, he was just as she remembered. The faint creases around his mouth, and the bronzed tint to his skin proved to be the only evidence that any time had passed.
    “Do you remember the day you chased me around the fountain, and you slipped and fell in.” She chuckled again at the memory. His coat had clung to his muscular arms; his boots squelched when he walked. “I laughed until it hurt. An hour passed before I could breathe properly again.”
    He nodded. “I remember. I wanted to scoop you up in my arms until you were soaked through, too.”
    “You did? Why … why didn’t you?”
    He contemplated her question. “I suppose I wanted you to think me a gentleman.”
    His answer surprised her. She’d always thought him respectful, considerate. That was until he abandoned her. Even now, that decision still seemed so completely out of character.
    “Well, only a gentleman would give up his time to save a damsel in distress,” she said choosing to show her gratitude for his intervention instead of dwelling on the past. “Only a gentleman would listen to stories of ghosts and phantoms without declaring me insane.”
    His arms fell to his side as he straightened. “We will find a plausible explanation for the strange events here.”
    “Then let us begin our investigation this instant.” She turned, closed her chamber door and gestured for him to follow her along the landing. “I thought it best to start with a tour of the house unless you have other ideas.”
    “I have spoken to Jacob. He informed me that a Mr. Blackwood is employed to manage the estate. With your permission, I would like to speak to him.” He stopped and turned to face her. “If I am to help you, I need you to tell me everything,” he whispered.
    Isabella swallowed.