Page 57 of Scandalous

“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt him,” he muttered in her ear before passing her hand to one of the footmen.

Before Sarah could respond, her attention was captured by the enormous man coming down the steps. He was the tallest person she’d ever seen, well over six feet. Not only was he physically imposing, but he was also incredibly handsome. He was dressed less formally than Captain Bouchard, his clothing immaculate but more suited to the pursuits of a country gentleman. All that marred his perfection was a scar that cut across his attractive face and a black patch over one eye.

“Welcome to Lessing Hall, Miss Fisher. I am Hugh Redvers.” The giant took Sarah’s hand in his enormous one and bowed over it, pressing his lips to her fingers.

Sarah grew hot at the old-fashioned yet somehow sensual gesture. She could tell by the amused glint in his single eye, he knew what he was doing. Up close she could see he was older than she’d first thought, closer to forty than thirty. He turned from her toward the carriage.

“Ah, Martín! Greetings, brother.” He dwarfed Captain Bouchard as they embraced in a way she’d seen the men use on the ship: a handshake that included the entire forearm while they gripped each other’s shoulders.

Bouchard grinned, looking like a boy happy to see his father or elder brother. It was the first time she’d seen any sign of affection on his face. Naturally it made him even more gorgeous.

“It is always good to see you, Lord Ramsay,” Martín answered, his use of the honorific another sign of his esteem.

The baron turned to Mies. “Welcome to Lessing Hall, Captain Graaf.” He made Mies look like a child as he towered above him. “Come inside. My wife is very eager to meet you.”

“What a lovely house you have, my lord,” Sarah said, gazing about the enormous hall in wonder.

“It’s an imposing old pile, but it is home.” He waited until they’d given their various possessions to a servant before leading them up a sweeping stone staircase and halfway down a long hallway. The door he opened led to the room of Sarah’s dreams. Books, books, and more books. She stood just inside the doorway, her jaw hanging open in wonder.

The baron recoiled. “Oh no, not another bookish woman.”

“Don’t be such a beast, Hugh.” The soft voice came from the corner of the large room. Sarah had been too busy staring at the books to notice the person in the room.

If the room was beautiful, then the woman who walked toward her was its perfect complement. Like Sarah she was tall, but that was where the resemblance ended.

Sarah felt a combination of awe and envy as she took in the Baroness Ramsay. No matter what kind of frock she wore, Sarah would never look half as lovely as this woman did dressed in a simple dress of yellow muslin.

She shared the same coloring as the Dutch nobleman, her pale skin and golden hair a perfect foil for a pair of blue eyes so perfect they looked as if they belonged on a canvas. Her manner, however, was warm and welcoming. “Don’t listen to my husband, Miss Fisher. He is teasing me. I am the reason you are being received in a library rather than the drawing room, as is proper.”

“I cannot imagine any room more welcoming than this, Lady Ramsay.”

The blond woman smiled and turned to her other two guests. “Captain Graaf, what a pleasure. I understand you are from Amsterdam? I am currently reading a work by one of your master philosophers, Mr. Spinoza.” She paused.

Everyone looked at the Dutchman, who flushed darkly under so much attention. “Er, Spinoza. Why, yes, I’ve heard of him.”

“Perhaps you will help me with some of the translation? My grasp of Dutch is quite rudimentary.”

Mies gaped.

“Darling! Let the poor man catch his breath before you start tampering with his brain,” the baron chided, his pride showing through his teasing.

“You are correct, of course. I daresay we shall have plenty of time to discuss the matter later,” Lady Ramsay promised the goggling Dutchman. She turned to the third member of their party and her mouth tightened. “Captain Bouchard.”

“Lady Ramsay, it is always a pleasure.” The handsome captain bowed mockingly over her hand before she pulled it away.

“Martín, still charming the ladies, I see,” the baron said, laughing. He turned to Sarah and Mies after they’d seated themselves. “I understand we are all going to make a trip to London?”

“I would not want to put you out, my lord,” Mies said. “I give you my word I would take myself to London without supervision.”

“I’m sure nobody doubts your honor, Captain.” Ramsay cut Bouchard an amused glance. “Besides, a trip to London will not be an inconvenience. We shall be in good time to catch a part of the Season, and I had already decided to take Lady Ramsay. She’s looking a bit hagged, and I’m hoping to give her a little town polish.”

Lady Ramsay was clearly accustomed to her husband’s teasing ways and ignored his levity. “I understand you have relatives in London, Miss Fisher?” She saw Sarah’s confused look. “Captain Bouchard explained your circumstances in the letter he sent with the messenger.”

Bouchard had written a letter? Sarah grinned at him; what a fine student he’d turned out to be!

He responded to her smug look with a scowl.

“We’ll give you a few days to rest while we organize our trip,” Ramsay said, his sharp eye on their interaction.