Midnight Kisses (Midnight Series) Read Online Free Page A

expressionless countenance.
    Devlin stepped up to the lady of the house, who was dressed all in black, and held out his hand.
    “Lady Langston, please excuse the imposition. I can see that you have only just found out about my plans of calling on Lord Langston. I sincerely apologize for imposing on you in such a way, but it is a matter of the utmost urgency that has brought me here today.”
    His charming smile, he hoped, would appease the lady of the house and would prompt her to inform Lord Langston of his arrival.

    Danielle felt dizzy. The entire foyer seemed to spin around her since the stranger had taken her hand, and his smile almost knocked the legs out from under her. Puzzled, she stared into the stranger’s eyes and shook her head in disbelief. It was impossible! The events of the day must have really weighed on her nerves. She must be mistaken! This man in front of her, what was his name again? Lord Weston? He couldn’t possibly be the man she thought he was. She noticed the hysterical laughter escaping her throat, but she was unable to suppress it.
    “Lord Weston, I am sorry, but it won’t be possible for my husband to receive you,” she started to explain, still trying to hide the confusion raging in her chest. She found this almost impossible to do and, just as she had done ten years earlier, wished for the ground to open up and swallow her whole.
    But just as then, the fates were not smiling favorably upon her, and the ground did nothing of the sort. Instead, Lord Weston straightened up to his truly-formidable height and looked down at her with a touch of impatience.
    “Lady Langston, I don’t think you understand. I have traveled far in order to speak with your husband. I am not going to leave without doing so.”
    Danielle shook her head. Even though she was far from being the young girl who had made this gentleman’s acquaintance so many years ago, she barely dared look him in the eye.
    “No, Lord Weston, I don’t think you understand. My husband is no longer with us. He passed away three months ago. I noticed your letter only now, and I was therefore unable to inform you of my husband’s passing. I am very sorry, but you have wasted your time. Please, go now! Since my son is not here at this time, it would be inappropriate for me to offer you a chamber for the night. However, the town offers a fine village inn. Farewell, Lord Weston.”
    Nodding stiffly, she clenched her lips and crossed her arms across her chest, waiting for him to retreat.
    “Dear lord! How terrible! Please allow me to offer my sincerest condolences. If I’d had any idea—”
    “Please don’t blame yourself, you had no way of knowing. I sincerely regret that you’ve wasted your time.” Danielle felt the need to remain polite. For either her wound-up mind was playing tricks on her and the man in front of her was not the man she’d met at the ball, or he couldn’t remember her. And how could he? She had been a plain-looking girl without any physical assets to speak of, and an experienced man such as himself must have enjoyed the company of many women. Women worth remembering.
    A perfect gentleman, the uninvited guest finally bowed deeply and kissed the back of her hand before taking his leave. When Danielle heard the wheels of his carriage turning and disappearing into the distance, she returned to her study and sank to the floor, shaking. She pressed her hand against her chest and tried not to allow the past to rise too close to the surface. She had been all but a child when his kiss lent her dreams wings. And in the dark hours of the night, these dreams were the only thing that remained of her life and her love.
     

Chapter 3

    So much for a fine village inn , Devlin thought as he took the last sip from his mug of weak ale. The room was clean and spacious enough, but the food left a lot to be desired. Besides, he hadn’t really counted on spending the night in a tavern. It would not have been appropriate for the