Free Captive Pride by Bobbi Smith Page A

CC?”
    â€œYes, I saw him.” Her less than enthusiastic answer drew a questioning glance from her servant.
    â€œDid you not think him the most gorgeous man you’ve ever seen?” Anna sighed, her excitement at the handsome lord’s presence obvious.
    â€œFrankly, Anna, I thought the man an overbearing idiot, just like the rest of his breed!” CC snapped shortly.
    â€œLord Kincade?” The maid was astounded. “But, ma’am, he’s tall and ever so good-looking! Why, I’ve never seen such a fine figure of a man before…. And to think he’s a nobleman besides!” Anna remarked dreamily.
    â€œAnd there’s the rub,” CC retorted as she slipped out of her robe and stepped into the bathtub.
    â€œIf you say so,” the servant quickly demurred, not wanting to incur her wrath. “But, frankly, Miss CC, I wouldn’t mind a handsome lord like him sweeping me off my feet and taking me back to live on his estate in England!”
    â€œWell, believe me, Anna, you’ll get no competition from me.” She lowered herself carefully into the steaming bath and sighed in contentment as the hot, scented water caressed her. “He’s all yours.”
    â€œIf he looks my way, I’ll remember that.” The maid laughed in delight at her own fantasy of the fabulous Lord Kincade carrying her off into the sunset. “Now, will you be needing anything else?”
    â€œNo…that’s all, but you might come back in a few minutes to help me with my gown.”
    Anna nodded and disappeared from the room to allow her mistress her privacy.
    Though CC knew she should hurry in order to help her father entertain his guest, she found the bath’s welcoming warmth infinitely preferable to the thought of seeing Lord Kincade again. With leisurely delight, she soaked. It was long minutes later when she finally finished washing and rose in sleek, dripping splendor from the soapy depths of the tub. CC started to reach for the towel Anna had left out for her when she noticed her own reflection in the full-length mirror across the room. She stared at herself with interest, studying her body for the first time with a critical eye. Her breasts were full, but not to the point of being heavy. The trimness of her waist emphasized the firm roundness of her hips, and her legs were slender and shapely. As she wrapped the towel about her, CC felt good about herself. She knew she was an attractive woman, and after she completed her toilette and took the extra time to artfully style her hair up and away from her face tonight, she knew she would feel confident enough to handle the very smug Lord Kincade.
    Â 
    â€œI can’t imagine what’s keeping CC,” Edward complained as he moved to the doorway of the parlor and glanced up the staircase for what seemed like the hundredth time. “Been well over half an hour now….”
    â€œIt seems the way with women.” Noah commiserated easily from where he sat on the sofa.
    â€œNot CC,” he stated flatly, used to his daughter’s punctuality and puzzled by her tardiness.
    â€œReally? Then she must be the exception to the rule.” Noah quirked a brow as he watched his host move about the room. He wondered idly why she was taking so long. Had she been so embarrassed by their earlier run-in that she didn’t want to face him? Noah felt certain that that had to be the reason.
    â€œCC is the exception to many rules, I’m afraid,” he began. “Wait…here she is now.” Edward went swiftly to her as she descended the stairs, and Noah rose from the sofa to acknowledge her as she swept into the room on her father’s arm.
    â€œGood evening, Lord Kincade,” CC said, facing him.
    For the briefest of instants, Noah was struck almost speechless. Only the long years of jaded living in London that had perfected his self-control enabled him to maintain his air of cool aloofness