Emily Baker by Luck Of The Devil Read Free Book Online Page B

endeavor to tempt Stanhope here with a few invitations of my own. Perhaps the theatre? I would like to pursue my acquaintance with you both. You make a charming couple.”
    Certainly it was only Freddie’s solid presence by her side that restrained their guest from favoring her with another of his long perusals designed to leave her feeling naked and soiled. She suppressed the urge to shiver under the cold promise in his words.
    “Thank you. Either will be entirely up to His Lordship.” She managed a pleasant but neutral tone with effort. “Would you mind if I borrowed Lord Stanhope for a moment? He’ll be back to bid you farewell in a thrice.”
    “How could I refuse such a softly worded request?” Jameson bowed and stepped closer to the front door even as she drew Freddie across and into the doorway of her private salon.
    “Is everything all right, Maura? I am surprised you have not yet retired. You must be fatigued after all your preparations.” The concern in his voice was so genuine, so appealing. As was the warmth in his eyes after the hardness in Harold Jameson’s.
    She seized the small chance to keep him safe from the other man’s influence, if only for this time, and broke her only rule in their relationship. “Stay with me tonight.”
    Freddie froze. His gaze fixed hers in the space of a single heartbeat. She couldn’t help but smile at the ardent look on his face.
    “Maura—”
    “I hope you will understand if the baron joins us this evening, Mrs. Fitzgerald.” Jameson’s invitation drifted back toward them, brazenly repeating his enticement for what was surely a night of debauchery in her very presence.
    Percy and two of the other young bucks emerged from the card room.
    “Wait here.” Freddie squeezed her hand and stepped out into the foyer once again
    “I appreciate your invitation, Jameson, and I cannot say I am not . . . intrigued. But I’m afraid I already have plans.”
    “How disappointing, but not entirely surprising,” Jameson intoned archly.
    “And Percy, my friend, did you not promise to help me host this night of frivolity organized in your honor? How can you desert me?”
    Maura peeked discreetly around the door in time to see Percy’s crestfallen expression and Jameson’s casual shrug.
    “Perhaps the offer will be repeated at another time. Shall we be off then gentlemen?” Harold Jameson ushered Lord Longford and his other pirated guest out the door Gerald held open.
    Tension sluiced from Maura as he left, even as she worried about Freddie’s other two friends. At least Freddie had displayed enough sense to pull Percy back. She stepped up to join Freddie and his remaining guest.
    Percy swayed in the gaslight for a moment as if trying to grasp what had just happened, rather like a child who had a promised treat snatched away. He obviously had imbibed too freely, even with watered drinks, to make any rational decision. After a moment more of swaying, he shrugged and put his arm around Freddie’s shoulder. “Come on, my lord. Once more into the breach. This chap Lynch’s won most of my pin money for this quarter. I’d like a chance to earn it back from him.”
    “As you wish, my friend. One more round.”
    As they turned back into the gameroom, Freddie leaned down toward Maura. “You meant what you said?”
    “Aye, my lord.” She breathed the words to him, happy to have rescued him from Harold Jameson’s pursuits this time at least, and relieved despite herself that this small drama had succeeded in pulling her thoughts away from the dangerous path they trod while she looked through her ledgers.
    Dangerous was definitely one way to consider Garrett Lynch despite his appealing demeanor. So like the hawthorns of which he reminded her. Familiar, green, and inviting, but beware the thorns that lurked beneath. She had enough to handle right now, as she tried to rearrange her life and finances so that she could provide for those she loved, for those who depended on her,