Hellions of Halstead Hall 02 - A Hellion in Her Bed by Sabrina Jeffries

Author:Sabrina Jeffries [SABRINA JEFFRIES]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sabrina Jeffries
Publisher: Avon Books
Published: 2011-11-08T13:29:34+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

J arret stood in the town hal ’s imposing suite of assembly rooms, surrounded by a group of brewers. Quietly sipping his wine, he tried to fol ow the conversation, but it was difficult when he was so distracted. He and Bass had arrived twenty minutes ago, along with Bass’s wife, and so far he’d seen no sign of Annabel. Ever since her little evasion this afternoon, he’d wondered if he could trust her to appear.

Granted, she’d been right about the advantages of his viewing the brewery first. He’d been impressed. Given that Lake Ale lacked the modern equipment he took for granted at Plumtree Brewery, he was surprised by how smoothly their operation worked. And Walters was a gem among brewery managers, citing production rates and quotas off the top of his head.

But the place was clearly struggling. The hops they used weren’t of the first quality, and leaks in their aging cast-iron mash tun were patched with sheets of tin. Worst of al , Walters had been so reluctant to speak about Lake himself that Jarret was back to wondering if there was more to the man’s il ness than Annabel had said. If Lake required constant care from a doctor and laudanum to sleep, that didn’t bode wel .

As the hour dragged on, he got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn’t like being played for a fool. If Annabel and her brother didn’t show up here tonight …

“And what brings you to our fair town, Lord Jarret?” one of the gentlemen asked. “Trying to get a look at the competition, are you?” He forced himself to pay attention. Earlier in the day, he’d debated whether to mention his possible investment connection to the Lakes, but in business, as in cards, it was always best to keep one’s cards close to one’s chest. Unfortunately, that made it difficult for him to ask questions without rousing speculation.

“Actual y, I’m visiting friends,” he said, using the only solution he’d hit upon. “I’m sure you know them. The Lake family?” The men exchanged glances. He was just about to ask what they thought of the Lakes when a sound at the door made them al turn.

Speak of the devil.

He barely had time to register his relief that Annabel hadn’t lied to him after al , when something else caught his attention. Not the thin, pale-looking fel ow about his age who had to be Hugh Lake. No, the only person he had eyes for was the stunning beauty holding on to one of Lake’s arms.

Annabel. But no version of Annabel he’d ever seen.

Her splendid chestnut hair was piled atop her head in a profusion of wild curls that enhanced her delicate features. Tonight she wasn’t a pixie, but a fairy queen, adorned in sparkling gems and a silk gown that skimmed her luscious curves like a lover’s caress.

At the sight of her, his blood ran hot, then cold. The gown was cut lower than those

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