Free The Dark One by Ronda Thompson Page B

her.
    â€œThat is what I thought,” Penmore snorted. “You know better than to go sniffing around a lady of quality’s skirts. No woman wants a madman for a husband, or to pass on his bad traits to her children. Shall we see to the sale of the horses, then?”
    It nearly broke her heart to see that Penmore’s words had taken some of the arrogance from Armond’s stance. He looked as if he was ashamed for a moment. He quickly covered any weakness he might have displayed by schooling his handsome features into a mask of indifference.
    â€œIf you’ll all come to the house, I’ll have tea served for Chapman and Lady Rosalind while we tend to the bill of sale,” Armond said.
    Franklin stepped forward. “I hardly think your home would be a fitting place for my stepsister. We’ll wait in the carriage for you, Penmore. We could walk the short distance home if not for Rosalind. The heavy dew would ruin her slippers.”
    Armond turned to look at Rosalind. “And is that a suitable arrangement, Lady Rosalind? The air has gone damp. I assume you’d be more comfortable inside my parlor, sipping a cup of hot tea.”
    Damn him. Rosalind had the distinct feeling he had purposely pitted her against Franklin. Perhaps in retaliation for having her witness his weakness. Now she was forced to display her own.
    â€œI’ll be fine in the carriage,” she said, refusing to meet his gaze.
    â€œNonsense,” Penmore finally said. “Chapman, sheathe your dislike of Wulf for the time being, and the both of you come into the house. I don’t want to feel rushed in my offer because I’m worried your sister will catch her death waiting for me. I had hoped to speak with her about a matter after I’ve finished here and have another engagement that I must attend to shortly.”
    Rosalind glanced up at Franklin. Her stepbrother frowned at the viscount but after a moment nodded his permission. Rosalind thought that was odd. She knew Franklin owed the man a great deal of money, but even so, she didn’t believe her stepbrother could be bullied by anyone. He was the bully. And she suddenly felt as if she was the thorn they all used to prick at one another’s male egos.
    She would have flat out refused Armond’s offer of tea, simply because she refused to become a further source of friction between the men present, but she was curious about his home. She was far too curious about everything to do with Armond Wulf, she realized. Penmore approached her and offered his pudgy arm.
    â€œShall we?”
    Although she’d rather not touch the man, Rosalind was too schooled in manners to refuse. She didn’t miss Armond’s look of disgust when she took Penmore’s arm. She also didn’t miss the fact that Armond hadn’t been the one to come forward and offer her escort to his home.
    â€œThe path to the house is rocky.” Armond suddenly stood before them. “I should escort Lady Rosalind, since I am familiar with the terrain. I would see her secure in her footing.”
    He left no time for arguments but took her hand fromPenmore’s arm, placed it on his, and started from the stable. “This way.”
    Rosalind felt Franklin’s fuming gaze cutting into her back as they all moved toward the house. She was surprised she could feel anything except Armond’s muscled arm beneath her hand. Surprised she could even think clearly with his scent stroking her awareness of him. Sandalwood. She deciphered that much, but that was all she could identify that wasn’t Armond’s own scent.
    When they reached the front of the house, a manservant immediately opened the door, as if he’d been poised there simply waiting on Armond to return. He showed no surprise upon seeing that Armond had guests. He showed no emotion whatsoever. Armond led them all into the house.
    The decor wasn’t what Rosalind expected. For a man whispered about