Her Wicked Ways by Darcy Burke

Author:Darcy Burke
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Darcy Burke

FOX sat in his landau in the drive of Stratham Hall. Daylight was fading along with his interest in this benefit. Oh, he was pleased the orphanage would reap the rewards, but did he really need to be there?

“Are we getting out?” Rob asked from the opposite seat. He’d ridden over with Fox from Bassett Manor. “I need to get inside. I told Mrs. Knott I’d arrive a little early.”

Fox leaned his head back against the seat. “Go ahead. I’m still thinking about it.”

Rob kicked him in the shin. “This is a bloody benefit for your orphanage!”

Fox looked down at his leg. “Are you trying to ruin my new clothes?”

“No, but if you aren’t going to make use of them, what difference does it make?” Rob’s brows drew together over his flashing eyes. “I never knew you to be a coward, Fox. Besides, we discussed the potential for other opportunities, if you’ll recall.”

Of course he recalled. Rob had suggested several days ago that perhaps one of the out-of-town guests might be a marriageable moneyed female. Since things hadn’t worked out with Miranda, why not move on to someone else? “Hadn’t worked out” was a disingenuous way to describe the hollowness in Fox’s chest. But he hadn’t shared the true nature of his feelings for Miranda with Rob. Hell, he’d barely admitted it to himself.

Rob jumped down. “Come on. Surely drinking a goodly amount of Stratham’s liquor will improve your mood.”

This argument was the best he’d made yet. Fox climbed out of the landau. “Fine. I’ll go to the damned party.”

They walked into the house together. Servants bustled to and fro doing whatever it was they did to prepare for such an event. A footman directed them to the Gold Room where Mrs. Knott and Mrs. Gates were reviewing the display of antiquities.

Laid out in one room, it presented an impressive collection. There were tapestries, both from Stipple’s End and Bassett Manor, silver pieces, a few portraits and a handful of landscapes, some jewelry, though nothing terribly dear as far as he could tell, and some ancient looking earthenware from Stipple’s End supposedly dug up in the yard. For the first time Fox allowed himself to believe this might actually raise enough money to get them through the winter.

Rob had stopped to speak with his wife and now came to stand beside Fox. “Mrs. Knott is going to see about getting us some brandy.”

Fox nodded and tried not to pluck at his stiff cravat. Stupid waste of money. He was supposedly dressed in the height of fashion, not that it mattered. He’d wanted to impress Miranda, and now she was gone. Hell, where was that brandy?

Footfalls carried from the doorway. Fox turned, expecting to see the footman bearing a tray. Instead, Stratham sauntered in wearing the same smug grin he always wore. And a green waistcoat.

Dammit. Fox looked down at his chest. Stratham’s garment was incredibly similar to his own emerald waistcoat. He looked up and Stratham’s gaze registered the same likeness.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.