In the Barrister's Bed by Tina Gabrielle Read Free Book Online Page A

Anthony. One day a woman will get the best of you.”
    “Sod off, Brent,” Anthony growled.
    James rolled his eyes. Even though Brent and Anthony were longtime friends they often mercilessly baited each other.
    “You two bicker like old magpies. I don’t desire fisticuffs on your first day here.” James refilled their glasses, leaned against the sideboard, and eyed the pair.
    Anthony was a tall, muscular man with massive shoulders. When not in chambers, he spent his free time at Gentleman Jackson’s. An experienced pugilist, Anthony’s size did not hinder him in the ring, and James had witnessed Anthony’s agility and fast footwork firsthand as he beat a seasoned boxer in the first round.
    As for Brent’s comment that Anthony was jaded when it came to women, it was true. Anthony specialized in marital matters and had successfully obtained what few barristers dared attempt—the highly desirable divorce. Requiring an Act of Parliament, divorce was close to impossible to obtain despite the fact that marital strife was commonplace among the beau monde.
    But Anthony had managed to obtain divorces for three wealthy, titled men—all by proving the adultery of the wives. Anthony had become an overnight success, one of the richest barristers in Lincoln’s Inn, but the dark side of his practice had a price. Anthony had a hard, cutthroat manner about him, and he scoffed at the notion of love.
    Brent Stone, on the other hand, was cut from entirely different cloth. His tawny hair and blue eyes had always attracted attention from females. Yet Brent showed little interest in women. His practice focused on obtaining letters patent for wealthy and oftentimes eccentric inventors. Brent rarely set foot in a courtroom and spent long hours drafting patent claims in their chambers at Lincoln’s Inn. To James it seemed like a tedious, unbearable existence, but Brent thrived upon it.
    James had never seen nor heard of Brent with a woman. The man claimed to prefer the fair sex, but as far as James was aware, Brent had never had a mistress or lover. At times the difference in their approach strained their friendship, as James had numerous affairs without commitment, and Brent claimed to be searching for a lady with whom he could have a long-lasting relationship.
    James’s thoughts returned to his own predicament, and he considered Brent’s argument in favor of Bella Sinclair.
    Bella could take the matter to court. Any barrister worth his salt understood that trying a case before a jury could be as unpredictable as the gaming tables. Wyndmoor Manor was in the jurisdiction of Hertfordshire, and as such any trial would be held here, far from the Old Bailey and London where James had practiced. He was familiar with every judge at the Old Bailey, their procedural likes and dislikes. But in Hertfordshire, he was an outsider, and a sympathetic judge or jury could find in the lady’s favor.
    “You said she was a sharp-tongued widow. Is she an eyesore?” Anthony asked.
    “No,” James said. “She’s stunning, a true beauty.”
    There was an awkward silence.
    “You’ve never had a problem with the ladies in the past,” Anthony said.
    “Don’t listen to him,” Brent said. “You may anger the lady if you treat her like a common affair.”
    Anthony’s voice held a note of impatience. “Then use your newfound influence as duke. What judge or jury in these godforsaken hinterlands would find against a duke? Bribe the judge if you have to. I doubt it would be difficult. A few hunting outings here at Wyndmoor ought to do it.”
    “Is that how you practice?” Brent inquired of Anthony. “Not everyone can be bribed or coerced.” Brent looked to James. “Your solution may be as simple as reimbursing her for the property.”
    “I already offered to pay her should Sir Redmond Reeves be found and all the money spent. She refused,” James said.
    “Then you must find another way,” Brent said.
    “There is something else. I suspect Mrs.