The Cracksman's Kiss Read Online Free Page A

pleasant mood out of the stern man. Taking a deep breath she favored him with a bright smile. “You look very nice, my lord.”
    The earl gave an arrogant sniff and twitched his waistcoat. “You can always tell the character of a man by the cut of his coat.”
    Kassie nodded to appease his sense of superiority, and he escorted her downstairs to the large entertaining parlor. She gasped in wonder as they walked through the double doors. A life size, golden cat statue adorned a large stone pedestal in the center of the room. Kassie studied it with curiosity. It crouched on gleaming haunches in a regal pose, the emerald eyes glittering as if it were alive. Kassie half expected it to leap from the pedestal at any moment.
    “It is said this is the statue of Queen Cleopatra’s cat.” The earl snatched her hand away as she reached to touch it. “Cats were thought to have spiritual powers in Egypt. They were, in fact, considered gods. I am the only one to have such a priceless artifact in my possession.”
    A harsh voice came from behind them. “A priceless artifact such as this belongs in a museum, Everton.”
    The earl turned with a scowl. “If you had your way the statue would still be in Egypt with those heathens, Ashton.”
    Kassie tore her gaze from the statue and studied the man in the doorway. He was tall, with dark wavy hair, a lock of which hung across his forehead in a most enchanting way. Irritation sparked in his vivid green eyes, which his easy stance did not reflect. He smiled, showing a set of neat white teeth as he leaned against the door frame with confident grace. With casual flicks of his wrists, he drew off his gloves one finger at a time, giving her a smooth look as he did so.
    She had the sudden uneasy feeling his smile hid his true feelings in the earl’s presence. He stepped away from the door frame and crossed to where they stood with slow deliberate strides. Taking her small hand in his larger tanned one, he gave her a winning smile, and lifted it to his lips. Kassie’s skin tingled as he brushed a light kiss on the back, causing her breath to catch in her throat. He was easily the handsomest man she had ever encountered.
    He straightened, the roguish twinkle in his eye alerting her to the fact he had not failed to notice her reaction. “Forgive my rudeness, I am Comté Cohen Ashton, and you must be the lovely Lady Everton. I have heard many tales of your beauty, but none do you justice, my lady.”
    Kassie smiled and pried her fingers from his grip. “Thank you, you flatter me,” she murmured, looking to the earl for approval. Her husband paid her no heed.
    The earl glowered at the much younger man. “If you are here to try to convince me to donate my latest find to your museum, Ashton, save us both the time and leave.”
    “Not at all, Everton, I am simply here to see your newest treasure.” He winked at Kassie.
    “I can see why you would wish to hide such a priceless piece. It would be a shame if some handsome young rake should steal her away.”
    Kassie blushed. The man is an outrageous flirt.
    “Mind your tongue you insolent whelp,” the earl snarled.
    She hid her amusement behind her fan when the comté gave her a mock look of contrition.
    Three older gentlemen entered the room and greeted the earl. Kassie ignored them and watched the comté as he walked a full circle around the artifact. He studied the golden cat with an intense stare for a few minutes. When he looked up and caught her watching, he smiled.
    To be polite she returned his smile before turning her attention to the new arrivals, waiting for her husband to present her. This time her fingers did not tingle as these men brushed their lips across the back of her hand. The customary greeting over, they disregarded her as they talked to the earl.
    The comté was leaning against the fireplace watching her. He smiled again and she smiled back with little reservation. There was something about the man that drew her interest.