The Tempting Minx (Fate of the Worthingtons, #1) by Laura A. Barnes

Author:Laura A. Barnes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Laura A. Barnes, regency romance steamy series, regency romance with viscount, regency romance new releases, regency romance authors, historical romance England, historical romance adult, regency romance series, regency romance hot steamy, steamy regency romance, historical romance and mystery, historical romance mystery, historical romance mystery and suspense, historical romance suspense, regency romance and mystery, regency romance and spies, regency romance mystery, regency romance mystery and suspense, regency romance revenge, regency romance protective hero, regency romance spy intrigue, Fate of the Worthingtons, The Seductive Temptress, The Fiery Vixen, The Siren's Gentleman, Matchmaking Madness, Tricking the Scoundrels, Romancing the Spies
Publisher: Laura A. Barnes
Published: 2022-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Ravencroft thrust a cigar in Dracott’s face. “Here, smoke this.” He lit the cigar and forced Dracott to inhale.

Dracott grimaced after taking a puff. “Must I?”

“Yes. Noel is informing her mother why we remain outside. I will not allow you to make a liar out of her,” Ravencroft growled. “’Tis bad enough you mauled her sister.”

Dracott’s lips twisted. “Mauled? Why do you act like an uptight prude?”

Ravencroft threw his hands in the air. “I do not know where to begin with you. And we have little time. Once Noel returns and informs her family of the cigars we smoke, Worth will be upon us, wanting to join in.”

Dracott flicked off the ashes, letting the cigar burn on its own. “Then let me make it simple. I will mention two names and we can start from there. If not, then we must meet later. The actions of others have forced us to make a plan to survive. If not, then your infatuation with Noel will crumble around you,” Dracott threatened.

Ravencroft took a menacing step forward but stopped when he heard footsteps coming in their direction. “Who?”

“Ren,” Dracott said. Ravencroft nodded since he had warned Dracott the night before of his friend’s arrival. “Mother.”

Ravencroft shook his head. “No. Mother would never return to Lady L’s manipulations. We helped her to escape, and she made us a promise.”

Dracott sighed. Even though Ravencroft was older than him, it was Dracott who held a jaded viewpoint toward people. Probably because he had had to endure more years of his mother’s lies and betrayal to help her agenda. Ravencroft still lived in the idealistic period where his mother played at being a devoted wife and mother. Even year after year, when she betrayed him with her broken promises, Ravencroft still didn’t grasp how evil their mother was.

“She offered Ren up as a sacrifice.”

“Damn her.” Ravencroft strode off to pace back and forth. “Where is she?”

Dracott shrugged. He wasn’t able to gather any information from Ren. And when he tried to follow his friend, his search had turned cold.

“I wonder where your loyalties lie, Dracott. I thought you detested the act of smoking cigars,” Worth drawled.

As Ravencroft cursed their mother, Dracott cursed Ravencroft. He had placed him in a predicament by making him smoke the cigar. Dracott had made his dislike for the nasty habit known one night while working late on a case. Ralston had bellowed his annoyance at Worth’s inconsideration, and Worth had defended himself by declaring no clients were present, therefore he could smoke them how he pleased. Ralston had then enlisted Dracott’s opinion, and he had stated how he detested smoking them. Hence why he held the cigar off to the side, letting it burn itself out.

“I forced him to, and of course, he objected. What gentleman does not like to inhale the smooth flavor of a quality cigar?” Ravencroft complained.

“Myself.” Dracott put the cigar out, relieved he could stop the pretense.

“What do you say, gentlemen, shall we visit my club for a round of cards?” Worth asked.

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.