My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh

Author:Eva Leigh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2019-11-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

All the best bookshops had secrets, and McKinnon’s was no exception. In addition to the sizable stock of “French” novels for anyone requesting stimulating reading material, the bookshop had a small room tucked away in the back that could be used for reading—or clandestine meetings.

“Your reserved books are in the storeroom,” McKinnon said to Seb and Rotherby by way of greeting.

Seb nodded, and Rotherby gave his thanks before they moved through the labyrinth of shelves, past the patrons scattered throughout the shop.

“Slow down, Atalanta,” Rotherby huffed behind him. “No need for a race.”

Only then did Seb realize he practically ran between the bookshelves. He tried to reduce his pace, but it was ruddy difficult when his body buzzed with energy. The ride over in Rotherby’s carriage had felt like a stint in a golden cage, confining him. Glancing down at his hand, he was surprised to see that he didn’t actually glow with excited triumph. He remained steadfastly mortal. But he didn’t feel mortal. After today’s wildly efficacious debut of his rake persona, he’d become a towering titan. Oh, there had been some stumbles, but he’d managed to recover, and he’d walked hand in hand with his anxiousness so it hadn’t overtaken him.

Once Rotherby caught up with Seb, he walked at a more moderate speed until he reached a corridor at the back of the shop. He turned a corner, then knocked twice on the narrow door at the end of the hallway.

“Bufonidae,” he said through the door.

Rotherby rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what that word means, but I’ve an idea, and you both need to expand your social circles.”

“It’s the name for the toad family,” Seb said.

Before he could add that he’d expanded his social circle considerably only an hour before—and with astonishing success—Grace said through the door, “Enter.”

After making certain that no one was observing them, he and Rotherby went into the room, then shut the door securely behind them.

The chamber was a small one, with room for one table, three wobbly, mismatched chairs, and one battered wingback chair currently occupied by Grace. Her maid sat in one of the rickety chairs, nose stuck in a book, but Seb barely gave the servant a glance as he took in Grace’s radiant face.

“You were marvelous.” She shot to her feet and wrapped her arms around him.

For a moment, he couldn’t move, frozen in place by the sensation of her soft body pressed to his. It was all he could do to keep himself from burying his nose in her hair and inhaling her fragrance.

He took a more moderate breath before embracing her. Loosely. Which went against his every instinct demanding he hold her close.

“Nothing for me?” Rotherby asked wryly.

Grace peered over Seb’s shoulder, but she didn’t move to hug Rotherby. “A fine performance from you, as well.”

To Seb’s disappointment, she stepped back, releasing her hold on him. She took her seat, and Rotherby did the same. Seb’s energized limbs protested the thought of sitting, so he remained on his feet.

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.