Free Not Always a Saint by Mary Jo Putney Page A

tracks.
    Dear God, was she Randall’s wife?
    The stabbing pang he felt lasted only a moment. When the smaller woman tucked her hand around Randall’s arm, Daniel saw the deep intimacy between them. She must be his wife, Lady Julia.
    Again Daniel found himself moving involuntarily toward the woman in black. For an instant he checked his movement because this was a woman who was too glamorous, too social, for a man like him. Then he continued on because he must find out who she was before he drove himself mad.
    Rather than addressing her, he extended his hand to Randall. “It’s a pleasure to see you again after all these years, Alex! I gather life has been treating you well?”
    â€œVery well.” Randall returned the handshake with a wide smile. “I survived the army, and persuaded the woman of my dreams to marry me.” He gave the petite woman a warm glance. “Allow me to introduce my wife, Lady Julia. Julia, meet Daniel Herbert, the newly fledged Lord Romayne.”
    Randall’s wife smiled. “Even without the introduction, I’d know you for Laurel’s brother. I’m so glad to meet you, Lord Romayne.”
    Daniel returned the smile. “You’re a midwife, aren’t you? We shall have to have a professional discussion later.”
    Lady Julia laughed. “I fear we’d run out of conversation quickly. I’m a mere midwife while you are a physician, surgeon, bonesetter, apothecary, and now a lord!”
    â€œAnd of those, being a lord is the least interesting,” he said ruefully. “With medical work, I do what needs to be done, but I’m not equally skilled in all areas.”
    Lady Julia nodded with understanding. “It was much the same in the village where I lived for a number of years. There was no other medical help for miles around, so I treated wounds and set bones and did what I could.”
    Daniel thought wryly that it was a pity she was already married, for surely they would suit well. Though he’d still have to find an estate manager.
    â€œLet me introduce our friend, Lady Kelham, as well,” Randall said. “Jessie, the new Lord Romayne was a class behind me in school, and had the remarkably irritating habit of almost always being right.”
    â€œWith age, I’ve realized that right and wrong are much harder to tell apart than I thought when I was younger,” Daniel said as he turned to Lady Kelham.
    Now that they’d been properly introduced, Daniel allowed himself to look directly into the eyes of his lady in black. And lightning shattered him again.

Chapter 9
    D amn the man! When had he become a lord? Jessie had recognized him immediately at that cursed rout, but it had never occurred to her that a provincial doctor might turn up in this small, private gathering.
    â€œLady Kelham.” His words and bow were polite and civilized, his voice rich and compelling, but his eyes blazed with desire. Though she was used to men being drawn to her appearance, she was jarred by her response. She hadn’t felt so attracted to a man since she was a foolish, desperate sixteen-year-old. And look how badly that had turned out!
    â€œLord Romayne.” She wanted to smile warmly and extend her hand, but he was not husband material. Too young, and they had met during a period of her life she’d done her best to forget. She returned his greeting with the cold courtesy she’d learned over the years. Ice was useful in suppressing a man’s fire.
    But her manner had no effect, for he continued to regard her with unsettling intensity. Odd that she remembered him clearly for his kindness, yet she’d forgotten how handsome he was. She didn’t remember him as fashionable, either, but tonight his immaculately tailored black clothing and crisp white shirt and cravat would have done credit to Beau Brummell himself. The severity of his garments set off his blond good looks.
    Instead of flirting, he said,