Free A Risk Worth Taking by Laura Landon Page B

and friendly, and it immediately put Anne at ease.
    “It is a pleasure to have you here.” The countess grasped Anne’s hands and held them. Her gesture was sincere. Anne would find it pleasant here, at least for as long as it took to find a husband.
    “Thank you, my lady.”
    “And, please, you must call me Patience. I insist.”
    “And, please, call me Anne.”
    The countess nodded, then turned her attention to Mr. Blackmoor. She crossed the room until she stood next to him. “Griff,” she said, reaching out to him. She took his hands in hers. “How are you?”
    Lady Covington turned her cheek to accept his kiss. “It has been entirely too long, you know. It’s about time you came back to us. You will have to put forth a massive effort to have me forgive you for staying away so long.”
    “I will do my best, my lady. I would never wish to disappoint you.”
    “And you won’t. I care for you far too much to let that happen.”
    Anne saw the genuine affection on the countess’s face. She also saw the worry in her eyes.
    “Please, everyone. Do sit down and I’ll pour tea.”
    Groupings of sofas and chairs were arranged in small clusters throughout the room. They sat in one of those clusters, except Mr. Blackmoor, who took the cup of tea the countess handed him and made his way to the window.
    The earl turned to watch his brother. There was apprehension in his gaze, perhaps concern. It was difficult to tell. The earl did not appear to show much emotion.
    Anne wondered if he knew how much his brother had had to drink already today, and if that’s what distressed him.
    The countess kept the conversation flowing with practiced ease. She spoke of how busy London was at this time of year, and the many things there were to see, the many things she had planned for them to do. Their conversation, though, could not hold Anne’s attention. She concentrated more on how the cup of tea shook in Mr. Blackmoor’s hands. At the glassy look in his eyes. At his sallow, drawn complexion.
    “I hope you don’t mind?” the countess said.
    “Mind?” Anne replied, making her way back to the conversation.
    “I was saying that we will have another guest for dinner tonight. A very good friend of ours, Dr. Samuel Thornton, who will be staying with us for a few days. I hope you don’t mind?”
    “Of course not. That should be quite pleasant.”
    The earl and his brother exchanged glances. Anne thought at first Dr. Thornton’s presence might be significant, but Mr. Blackmoor only turned his head and drained the liquid in his cup in one swallow. He drank it with the same desperation she’d seen when he’d emptied his flask. She somehow knew he wanted the liquid in his cup to be something stronger than tea.
    When their tea was finished, the countess rose. “I’m certain you would like to rest awhile before dinner. I’ll have Fenwick show you to your rooms.”
    As if by magic, Fenwick appeared at the door.
    “Thank you so very much, my lady,” Anne said. “You have been most generous, and I am exceedingly grateful.”
    “Nonsense. I look forward to having you as our guest. Tomorrow I must introduce you to our three sons. Timothy is nearly five, and Matthew three, and Simon not quite a year. For now, though, I’ll let you retire to your room. I’m sure you’ll want to rest after such a long trip. Dinner is served at eight. I’ll have someone call you in plenty of time to dress.”
    “Thank you again,” Anne said, then walked to where Fenwick waited for her. When she reached the door, she stopped. She could feel Mr. Blackmoor’s gaze on her, watching her. She turned. “Thank you, Mr. Blackmoor,” she said. “For everything.”
    “It is nothing,” he said, then turned his back to her and stared out the window. It was as if he’d hardened himself to any display of kindness. Any show of concern.
    Anne followed Fenwick up the stairs to her room. When she was alone, she lay on the bed and closed her eyes. She wanted