In the Barrister's Chambers by Tina Gabrielle Read Free Book Online

an effort, her voice wavering. “I understand.”
    â€œOne last thing. Tell me when you have contact with Mr. Sheldon.”
    â€œBut I told you, I don’t know where he is.”
    â€œNo matter. He has no choice but to reach out to you. Inform me immediately.”
    It was a command, not a request. Evelyn nodded numbly. “I shall see my way out.”
    As she left his chambers, she had the odd sense that even though she had successfully achieved what she had come for, she had lost something as well.

Chapter 6
    â€œWhat are you hiding from us, Harding?”
    Jack looked up from the stack of papers on his desk as the door to his office flew open. James Devlin and Brent Stone, two of the barristers that shared his chambers, strode inside.
    Jack turned to Devlin, the more outspoken of the two men. “I don’t know what you are talking about. It’s impossible to hide anything from either of you; I wouldn’t think even to try,” Jack said dryly.
    â€œThen what do you call the lovely lady that swept past us in the hallway on her way out of your office?” Devlin drawled. “The lovely unchaperoned lady, I might add.”
    Jack threw down his pen and leaned back in his chair. “She was here on legal business, nothing more.”
    Devlin and Brent exchanged a doubtful look.
    â€œLegal business?” Brent asked. “Since when do you take on female clients that look like her? That’s more in Devlin’s line.”
    Devlin punched Brent in the arm. “Are you insinuating I’m unethical when it comes to my female clients?”
    â€œI’m not insinuating anything, Devlin, merely stating fact,” Brent said.
    Devlin’s eyes narrowed at Brent. “Perhaps it’s been so long since you have entertained the thought of female companionship, your opinion has become skewed.”
    Jack suppressed the urge to laugh out loud as his two longtime friends and legal colleagues harassed each other. He also wanted them gone. He didn’t want to talk about Evelyn or what had just passed between them.
    â€œEnough, you two,” Jack snapped. “I have work to do. Taking on a new murder client is time-consuming.”
    That got their attention. Devlin and Brent turned to look at Jack. In unison, they asked, “She’s a murderer?”
    â€œNot her. The man she intends to marry,” Jack said.
    Their gazes remained riveted.
    â€œShe’s marrying a murderer?” Brent spoke up first.
    â€œShe believes he’s innocent. Thus, my representation,” Jack said.
    Brent stepped forward. “Which brings me back to my original point. You never work for beautiful women. They are a distraction in the courtroom, remember? Why now?”
    Jack sighed, his mind twisting with how much he should reveal. “She’s Emmanuel Darlington’s daughter.”
    Devlin’s jaw dropped. “You’re jesting?”
    â€œThat’s the second time today someone has asked me that question.”
    â€œSo you’re making an exception to your rule because you feel indebted to your former pupilmaster and mentor?” Brent asked.
    â€œI believe so, yes,” Jack said.
    â€œHave you bedded her yet?” Devlin asked.
    For some reason, Devlin’s remark grated on Jack, and he wanted to hit his friend square in the mouth. “Not all of us are like you, Devlin.”
    Devlin grinned. “I’ll take that as a no. But I believe she will try your self-discipline.”
    â€œDon’t listen to him, Jack,” Brent said. “If you focus on the case, you’ll have no time to think of her in a carnal manner.”
    Devlin’s eyes flashed in a familiar display of impatience. “Not all of us are self-imposed celibates like you, Brent.”
    Jack studied the pair. He didn’t have to be a woman to acknowledge that Brent Stone was a handsome man. With his tawny hair and blue eyes, Brent had always drawn the