Teasing your wicked heart

ody headache from hell,

able to get rid of this headache with concentra

bottle had managed to drive his demons out of his head, it was replaced by an aw

ll an

knoc

. Why did he sound so

loody tea or coffee. With a tiny opening, the do

pressing both thumbs to his temple. Being a bloo

let had never knocked. It was quite difficult for Lord Killsworth to identify a

ate companion for whatever they were. Talking would be next

," and used the door as a barrier

h was the is

t out,

d only decipher the final syllable

lit in two. For heaven's sak

ha

d this as he pushed half of his body into the door

rude, as the head of the household, he hadn't felt obligated to tell his staff why he was acting so irrationally. They would have

pty house, they have been paid more than reasonable wages. It w

servants. Nevermind. His house had been as quiet as a whisper before he

would like t

what to believe when his valet blurted

and she is waiting at

not been in civilized society for a year, and if he remembered correctly, it wa

h a packet of white powder and a b

er flavour of the drink and swallowing the powder fas

d up from the four-poster be

I have no idea, my lord," and

d allowed her admission, he very well could not tur

k's leaves and seeds settled at the bottom of t

proval, removed his drink, and

ightly lit Seafoam parlour as she waited. Although Trowbridge w

ome masters. She ought to enjoy having her own visitors in

a grudgingly drawn-out struggle of nerves and cunning; the carria

pting right now. She could easil

hem that way, even if he didn't want to receive them, was

heavens above! She ough

at she might investigate. She pondered that at least the parlour had been kept

house appeared old, the int

ch, and Mathilda reprimanded her,

a quick reply, but Mathilda had gotten up quickly to

petite woman came and curtsied. The maid's eyes widened like dinner plates when

le and backed away, slam

y sigh, Lady Sarah Jane sta

had many guests here," as she ran a

pen, with tasteful white cornices that had fine details. Cleaning tho

both decorated with golden blooms and braided in gold. She would have thought the house belonged to a duke if she hadn't known who she was s

ry elderly, you know. He ha

onents would never have been placed in such reachable positions by a young couple with rowdy kids. When her twins were

nd the home to protect valuables before the twins could run. If she go

t with a curt "I haven't a cl

ect. Observing the details, she surmised that the majority of the furnishings in this room might

oom, the wood gloss varnishing gave

consideration that the 10th Earl's countess had. Perhaps she

and attire, one could deduce that these were the ladies of this multigenerational family. Although Sarah Jan

ane made the decision to become very close friends with the viscountess, someone who would

iscount could arrive at any moment," Mathilda remarked, ext

y of white porcelain figurines with elaborate costumes

his space in accordance with her preferences. The decor exuded a delicate and pleasant quality in every way. It was extremely old-looki

Yes, it is exactly what

opened, and Lady Sarah

door immediately closed behind them before anyone could see who had peeped

ed door as she peered at it. She moved quickly to the small window, where she w

colour that conveyed peace and tranquilly was painted on the walls. Sarah Jane was reminded of the horr

mething, but her look became irritated when she noti

low by her side. "I have no doubt that another obliging maid will sneak a peep.

e thought to herself, reminded her of her hair, the soft waves mimicking her hairstyle in a bun. She reached up to touch the likeness with her palm and looked up into a giant, framed-looking glass on top of the counter, realizing that the colour of the shells was exactly the same as h

ou must come to

on the dark blue carpet, a

rying to catch her equilibrium. She pounced to return the shell to the t

rpet again, sending her falling backwards into the man who had jus