Elusive Passion by Kathryn Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

better.”
    She paused and Miles jumped at her bait. “And just what do you know, Miss Varya?”
    Again, she fixed him with a knowing smile. “I know that Bella only wore those flimsy gowns when a gentleman was coming to call. Every other night she wore an old linen nightrail that her grandmother had made for her. A hideous thing, but Bella loved it.” Her smiled faded. “ That is how I know a woman did not kill Bella.”
    “And no doubt you are correct,” he allowed, strangely envious that he had not known such a small detail of Bella’s life.
    His path was clear. Regardless of his animosity toward her friend, he owed it to Bella’s memory to avenge her death.
    “Rest assured I will discover the guilty party, Miss Varya. Just leave everything to me.”
    And find the killer he would, even if it meant disrupting Varya’s own plans. For now, he was content with her appearance of innocence, but the last thing he wanted was a woman underfoot when there was work to be done.
    “I beg your pardon?” She was staring at him with such a look of incredulity that he thought he must have said the words out loud.
    “I will most certainly not leave everything to you, my lord.” Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her anger. “A few minutes of conversation does not put you above suspicion. Do you think that just because you are a charming man I’ll believe you innocent and better equipped to find Bella’s killer?”
    Miles frowned. He didn’t like her tone. “I think, madam, that as a gentleman, I am able to enter into certain spheres in which you would not be permitted.”
    The color drained from the rest of her face andpooled into angry red splotches on her cheeks. Her nostrils flared with indignation. Obviously he had struck a chord.
    “I’ll have you know that I am welcome in society’s finest homes, Lord Wynter.”
    He gave her what he knew was a patronizing smile. “No doubt you are, madam. I spoke merely of those clubs whose doors are open to gentlemen only .”
    Varya tilted her head. “And are these gentlemen in the habit of discussing murders they may or may not have had a part in at these clubs?”
    Miles felt his cheeks warm at her sweetly spoken sarcasm.
    “Not as a general rule,” he replied with forced lightness. “But I may be able to discern where some of Bella’s former lovers were on the night of her death. Have you even bothered to investigate the others, or have you played judge, jury, and executioner with me alone?”
    She rose abruptly to her feet, leaving Miles little choice but to stand also. Her face was flushed with rage, her eyes as bright as moonlight on the ocean. Whatever else he thought of her, she was one magnificent-looking woman.
    “I’ll tell you what, my lord.” She gave the bell cord on the wall a healthy tug. “You go right ahead and spend as much time as you wish at these clubs. You’ll find nothing there except partners in your depravity. I shall continue on as I have been—trying to unveil Bella’s murderer. Ah, Piotr. Please show Lord Wynter out.”
    A muscle twitched in his jaw at her insults and blatant dismissal. His spine was straight as a poker as he turned to meet her glittering gaze.
    “One word of advice, madam,” he offered between clenched teeth. “You should be most careful when playing detective. The next person you accuse of murder might actually be guilty of it, and you won’t be so fortunate to escape with merely a bruised arm.”
    She paled at his words, and he was pleased to crack her composure. Damn her insufferable arrogance!
    “Thank you for your advice, Lord Wynter. I hope you will also take a care during your endeavors—that is quite a nasty bruise on your temple.”
    “Oh, ’tis not so bad. Much preferable to a bullet in the heart.” He smiled mockingly. “Aren’t you glad that I prevented you from spilling my blood, madam? Why, you might have been a murderer yourself.”
    At this point all pretense of politeness on her side