An Artful Seduction by Tina Gabrielle Read Free Book Online

business relationship. Don’t we, Mrs. Somerton?”
    To Grayson’s surprise, Eliza smiled meekly at Cain. “Your frames are beautiful, Mr. Cain. I’ll soon be in need of additional supplies. I shall return another time.”
    Mr. Cain bowed mockingly. “I look forward to it.”
    Grayson wanted to smash the man in the face. Grasping Eliza’s arm, he hauled her out of the warehouse. It was raining hard now and they hurried down the cobbled street in silence. As soon as they came to his waiting carriage, he thrust her inside.
    She waited a full minute until the warehouse was out of view before whirling to confront him. “How dare you threaten Mr. Cain!”
    He sat back on the padded bench. “The man was touching you. Don’t tell me you liked it?”
    Her green eyes flashed in anger. “To whom I allow liberties is none of your affair. Your behavior may have cost me my business.”
    “Your business? Pray tell me how the owner of a warehouse could ruin your print shop?”
    “You arrogant swine! You know nothing.”
    He narrowed his eyes. “Then tell me. What’s Cain’s hold over you?”
    “The shop has not always been profitable. He’s the only supplier who permits me to purchase on credit rather than to pay in advance.”
    He immediately understood. Buying on credit rather than paying up front existed in business. But for a woman, who most likely had trouble paying in a timely manner in the past, it was probably unheard of. The shrewd Mr. Cain understood this and took every advantage with the lovely Mrs. Somerton.
    Still a cynical inner voice cut through his thoughts, and he wondered if she was telling the truth. “I find it hard to believe you cannot buy what you need from another,” Grayson said. “You were willing to pay fifty pounds for the Wildens painting at the Tutton auction.”
    Her eyes flashed emerald fire. “That was almost all of our savings, and I had no choice. As you very well know, I could serve time in Newgate for forgery.”
    Grayson experienced a moment of unease. He never believed Eliza and her sisters were wealthy, but neither did he believe they were desperate for funds.
    “Cain would have sold you what you needed today,” Grayson pointed out.
    “Only because of your intimidating presence. But what about when I must return alone?”
    His gut clenched at her words. He shouldn’t care that she had to return, but he did. Damn it, he did.
    He frowned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
    She turned her head and looked out the window. Her features looked even paler in the dowdy gray gown. Was that why she wore such an unattractive dress? To dissuade Cain’s advances? If so, it hadn’t worked. The unappealing color could never diminish her natural beauty. And the swell of her breasts could never be hidden, no matter how many layers of cheap wool.
    “I’ll go back and speak with Cain,” he said.
    She spun to face him. “No! Please…you have what you wanted. Mr. Cain gave you a name. Leave it be.”
    His unease increased at the note of pleading in her voice.
    Minutes later, the carriage pulled up in front of the Peacock Print Shop. She was reaching for the door handle when he placed a halting hand on her sleeve. “We’ll have to visit Dorian Reed next week together.”
    “As you very well know, I have little choice in the matter.” Not waiting for his footman, she opened the door, hopped down, and rushed inside.
    …
    A tumble of confused thoughts assailed Eliza as she entered the shop. Whether it was over Lord Huntington’s behavior with Mr. Cain or the fact that Cain had provided the name of a man who might know Father’s whereabouts she didn’t know.
    Was it possible? Could she find her father after all this time?
    She had tried searching for him for a full year after his disappearance. She had looked everywhere—his favorite coffeehouses, the taverns the artists frequented, and the galleries he often visited—but to no avail. She’d spoken with his friends and no one had