Emily Baker by Luck Of The Devil Read Free Book Online

no need . . . ”
    “A present is not given out of necessity, Maura.” He interrupted. “Open it and tell me if they please you.”
    She took the box from him and found two perfectly matched, diamond drop earrings inside.
    “Oh Freddie,” was all she could manage. They were beautiful indeed, but it was at times like this she felt most like the scandalous member of the demimonde she had allowed herself to become. The shame of her fallen status always stung.
    Her first instinct to tears was not the reaction he was looking for however, and she leaned into him and let him kiss her slowly. She would indeed miss him when she let him go. But he already cared for her much too deeply. The tender passion of his mouth on hers and the expense of this gift proved that much. His recognition that Jameson’s shabby treatment had been awkward for her touched her more deeply than his gift.
    The dangers of letting him stay with her too much longer were clear. Time might let him fully convince himself he loved her as much as he thought he did. Time might let her believe his love would be enough to sustain them both. Neither was true.
    “I wish you could join us.” His breath caressed her cheek. His hands on her arms as he held her close failed to produce the cascade of sensations she’d experience when Garrett Lynch had steadied her earlier.
    “I’ll be within easy reach,” she promised him. “I’ll be in my private salon while you enjoy your cards with your guests.”
    “And perhaps when they have departed you will show me how those earbobs look on you. I bought them because they reminded me of the stars in your eyes.”
    “Perhaps.” Part of her melted, despite the odd hurt his gift had engendered. He hadn’t meant to remind her of her status as his mistress. He’d been trying to pay her a compliment.
    “Good. It will be too long of an evening without you.” He kissed her again and sighed, releasing her with clear reluctance. “Why did you let me plan this evening so soon after my return to the city? We could be spending the time together engaged in much more pleasurable pursuits.”
    “Why? Because you asked it of me, my lord.” She laughed to lighten the moment and stepped out into the foyer, bringing him with her. “And I am ever given to trying to please you. In all things.”
    “I’ll hold you to that.”

Chapter Three
    After three hours of play, Garrett Lynch had indeed proven himself to possess the devil’s own luck, just as Percy had said. His winnings tallied higher and higher according to Gerald, who reported periodically to Mrs. Kelly, who in turn imparted news of the party to its hostess.
    As Lynch’s winnings mounted, Jameson’s mood darkened. And the brandy, port, and whiskey flowed more heavily. Tattle-mongering with the servants was not the usual bent of a hostess, but how else was she to monitor what was occurring within her walls without actually being present? Besides, she hardly ran her household, or her life, by conventional means.
    While her guests had been deep in play, she had been deep into ledgers with her spectacles perched on the end of her nose and a hot pot of good Bohea tea at her side. If one or two of her investments came through, she should have her books in good enough order to remain independent for at least several years, albeit with some reduced circumstances. Freedom beckoned.
    Voices in the foyer drew her away from the columns of figures at last. It was Freddie asking Gerald to summon Mr. Jameson’s carriage.
    “Aye, sir.”
    “These experiences are more liberating than you could imagine,” Jameson was speaking low and persuasively to someone as he waited.
    Her stomach knotted. No good could come of this tête-à-tête. Was it eavesdropping when the conversation carried clearly into the room one had occupied for the bulk of the evening? She was certain the gentlemen did not realize she was only a few feet away with a cracked door between them—although the light