In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady by Gayle Callen Read Free Book Online Page B

like a boy who’d never been to a ball—like his brothers, he thought with distaste.
    As if she read his mind, she said, “I overheard your brothers talking with their friends about the painting.”
    Her tone had cooled noticeably.
    â€œThey are rather young for you to be showing them such a thing,” she continued.
    â€œNot proud of yourself?”
    â€œYou know that is not what I’m saying. That painting wasn’t meant to be there.”
    â€œI did not personally display the painting for them, but they are members of the club. You cannot expect that they would miss such a thing. And yes, they’re young, but I thought they would make more appropriate friendships there, perhaps hear about the benefits of an education. I have the tuition money; they need to go.” He frowned down at her. “But instead of making friends, they’ve seen you—your painting anyway. Or one of your female relatives.”
    â€œDisbelieving me already?” she replied.
    â€œNo,” he said, looking down at her intensely as he whirled her about the floor. “You’re my choice, after all, and how can I dispute my instincts?” He let his hand slide lower down her back, feeling the faint bumps of her spine, then the curve of her lower back, strangely erotic in such a public place. He splayed his hand, pulling her even closer, so that her breasts brushed his ribs. “My instincts have never failed me. You feel like the painting looks,” he said, his voice husky.
    Her eyes widened, and she missed a step, but he easily held her up. She didn’t even try to escape, as if she knew that he wouldn’t release her.
    â€œDo your sister and cousin dance as well you do?” heasked, leaning down to speak into her ear.
    He felt her stiffen and knew she understood his threat. She would not be the only one he talked to in his quest to discover the truth.
    If only he could directly ask about the diamond. But she wasn’t wearing it, and if he brought it up, he might alert her that something more was going on than a drunken wager. He couldn’t risk her speaking to someone in her family who might know more about the history of the jewel—or might have been involved in the theft.
    The waltz ended much too quickly, and after a brief curtsy, she left him without allowing him to escort her off the ballroom floor. He watched her go, knowing that others had seen her rudeness. He didn’t care—although their mothers might. He almost smiled.
    She was more than capable of sparring with him, but it was obvious she didn’t like the thought of him doing the same with her sister and cousin.
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    Late that night while her maid helped her undress, Rebecca thought again of the earl’s threat to go after her sister and cousin. She loved Susanna and Elizabeth dearly, but they had not weathered the same childhood storms she had, and she worried that their strength would easily wear down.
    At the ball, both Peter and Leo had requested a dance of their chosen targets. Elizabeth acquiesced, while Susanna preferred not to dance. So Leo had doted on her, even though she’d put on her spectacles like a shield.
    Lord Parkhurst had watched them all, not bothering to hide his amusement as he stared with open challenge at Rebecca.
    He thought he would win. And this was only the first evening!
    After the maid had gone, Susanna dragged in a yawning Elizabeth, who promptly sank down on the four-poster bed and curled up among the pillows.
    â€œYou’ll both hear my plan now,” Susanna said firmly.
    Rebecca picked up her brush and started on her hair. “Of course. Tell us everything.”
    â€œWe cannot stay in London and let those three men pick us apart one by one, looking for weaknesses, combining their information.”
    Elizabeth sat back up, her brow furrowed. “But they’re trying to best each other.”
    â€œAnd us. And I’m beginning to think