Free How to Wed a Baron by Kasey Michaels Page A

effort, she was sure. “Wrong? Why, nothing, my dear, nothing at all is wrong. I just thought of something else I must discuss with the Prince Regent when next I see him. I must tell him how very clever, no, how fiendishly clever he is.”
    â€œI don’t understand.”
    â€œYou will, unfortunately. But not right now. It’s time you slept. Good night.”
    â€œBut…but you said we had to talk, that there was something you needed to tell me.”
    His hand on the door latch, Justin turned, looked at her in the near darkness. She couldn’t see his eyes now, and she had the strangest feeling that this was because he didn’t want her to see them.
    â€œYes, it had to do with our destination. I’m afraid we won’t be traveling to London tomorrow. Instead, you’ll be heading off to West Sussex, and the estate of my friend Rafe, the Duke of Ashurst. And his wife, Charlotte,” he added almost immediately, as if he felt he should. “You’ll travel quickly, I’m afraid, with only a single night spent on the road and two full days in the coach.”
    â€œAnd then we’ll go to London?”
    â€œI will,” he said, and opened the door. “I most assuredly will be traveling to London. I’m convinced there is someone there who can barely contain his glee as he awaits my arrival.”
    She threw back the covers and got out of bed.“But I won’t be going with you to see this happy person? Is that what you’re saying? You’re going to take me to this Ashurst, and this Duke, and leave me there?”
    â€œYou’ll remain with my friends until I return for you, yes.”
    â€œBut—why?”
    He didn’t answer her. Instead, he closed the door and walked to where she was standing barefoot on the chilly wooden floor, and put a hand to her cheek, which made her feel very strange indeed. Not frightened. Not at all frightened. She fought to keep herself from tipping her head, so that she could press her skin more closely against his, feel the strength of his hand, the slight roughness of his skin.
    â€œYou’ve been badly used. I’m sorry, pet,” he whispered softly. “I’m so very, very sorry. But I’ll fix it, as best I can. I promise.”
    â€œYou make precious little sense, Justin,” she told him, caught between anger and fear…and a hint of something she felt fairly certain, after her instructional talk, Tatiana would have termed interest. Mostly, she knew she didn’t want him to leave. “How can you fix something I don’t even know is broken? How would I even know when you’d fixed it?”
    He smiled, but it was one of those smiles that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Aren’t your feet cold?”
    â€œNever mind my feet,” she shot back, deciding anger was perhaps the best option at the moment.
    â€œAh, but I find them adorable. Small and slim. Have you ever heard the expression I kiss your hands and feet? ”
    Alina curled her toes and clenched her fingers, and those parts of her that had been so happily slumbering shot out warnings that she might soon be in significant trouble if she didn’t apply some maidenly common sense and put a halt to this strange conversation, and that those previously slumbering parts weren’t all that averse to a little adventure.
    â€œOnce again you’re not answering my questions,” she pointed out, striving to regather her scattered wits. “We were speaking about my family, and suddenly you ran for the door.”
    â€œI beg your pardon. I do not run for doors.”
    â€œVery well, then, why did you come back?” she asked, believing the answer to that might be more important.
    â€œPerhaps for this?” he offered, moving his hand so that now he was tipping up her chin. “One more look, and perhaps even a small taste.”
    â€œOh. I…that is…you shouldn’t have to