The Cracksman's Kiss Read Online Free

outside? Are you trying to catch pneumonia, girl?”
    Kassie bit her lip and counted to ten in her head before she answered; afraid any sign of defiance would result in being confined to her room, a favorite punishment of her husband’s.
    “No, my lord, it is so nice outside I thought to take in a little fresh air. I was well bundled.”
    He snorted. “I saw you with your shawl wide open at the neck, girl. Why are you not taking your afternoon nap?”
    “I am not tired, my lord.” She clenched her hands in the folds of her skirt.
    He shook his finger at her. “Do you think just because I have been ill you can change the routine of my house as you see fit?”
    Despite careful stewardship of her reply, she had angered him. “No, my lord, but…”
    “I do not want to hear it .” He waved his hand. “The physician has advised me a trip to the healing waters of Bath would be most beneficial to my health. I have decided we shall leave at the end of the month. Perhaps the warmer climate will be more conducive to conceiving a child, unless, of course, you are already breeding?”
    Kassie focused on her feet and shook her head, not wanting to meet the gaze she knew would be icy and accusing. The lengthy silence was filled with blame. How dare he make me feel as if it is my fault I have not conceived? He is the one who has been too sick to visit my bed these past two months.
    “I am hosting a small dinner party tonight. You will be required to attend. I intend to display my recent acquisition, a rare artifact from an Egyptian tomb.”
    Kassie’s mood brightened at the idea of some entertainment. “Will there be dancing, my lord?”
    The earl snorted. “Most assuredly not, girl—imagine dancing at my age! You are expected to look pretty, smile, and be at my side at all times. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, my lord,” Kassie answered, clasping her hands together in an effort to hide her enthusiasm at the thought of mingling with other people.
    He waved her away. “Go on now. I expect you to be ready and waiting at seven sharp, not a minute later.”
    Kassie nodded. It required a concentrated effort to walk from the room. Once free of the earl’s presence, her excitement could not be contained. She bolted down the corridor, heedless of the earl’s propensity for moderation. A thought made her pause on the threshold to her room.
    Would the guests be nice or would they simply tolerate her pre sence? A tiny sigh escaped her. She did not care; at least she would not have to sit through another dreary private dinner with her husband.
    When Sally arrived they looked through the gowns in Kassie’s wardrobe. Most of the dresses the earl commissioned she had never even worn. They finally decided on a simple, but elegant, soft pink watered silk with a modest neckline studded with shiny pearl flowers.
    After she bathed, Sally helped her with the dress. Kassie turned back and forth in front of the mirror, entranced by the way the material shimmered and rustled when she moved.
    “Oh, my lady, you are lovely,” Sally gushed.
    Kassie giggled. “I still feel like a princess in these dresses.”
    “Rightfully so, my lady, you look like one.”
    Kassie forced herself to turn away from the mirror and sit at the dressing table so Sally could work on her hair. She watched in the smaller mirror as the maid arranged her hair on top of her head, and then pinned it so the golden ringlets trailed with elegance down her back. The woman flushed with excitement looking back at her was a stranger. She blinked, but the image reappeared. “Truly you are a miracle worker, Sally. I did not even recognize myself for a moment.”
    Sally blushed. “Thank you, my lady.”
    Kassie stood and slipped her feet into the delicate matching slippers as the earl entered the room. He leaned on the silver-tipped cane, put a quizzing glass to his eye, studied her for a moment, and then nodded his approval. She cast him a shy look; perhaps she could cajole a more