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

female eye. But for all his attractiveness, he hid a dark past behind his formal demeanor as a respectable barrister. As the Crown’s leading patent expert, he spent long hours at Lincoln’s Inn obtaining letters patent for wealthy, and oftentimes eccentric inventors. For reasons unknown, Brent Stone avoided the fair sex. Only once had Jack caught Brent with a woman. Jack had sensed Brent had wanted the liaison kept a secret from the rest of chambers, and so Jack had never mentioned the encounter to Devlin or Anthony Stevens, their other legal colleague and friend.
    James Devlin, on the other hand, had quite the opposite personality. He was the illegitimate son of a duke, and even though he had been well provided for, he had been socially shunned by his father’s family. He’d developed a thick skin and had been driven to succeed. Now that he was a successful barrister in his own right, Devlin enjoyed his wealth and freedom to act out his every whim—especially when it came to London’s courtesans—while avoiding the marriage-minded ladies of the ton. Devlin’s free-loving mind-set had gotten him into trouble in the past, but he had successfully fought more than one duel with a disgruntled husband. Dark, daring, and dangerous, women loved Devlin, and he adored them in return.
    Yes, James Devlin and Brent Stone were opposite sides of a coin, but they were good friends nonetheless.
    Devlin scratched his chin. “Wait till I tell Anthony. He’s not going to believe it.”
    â€œActually, I’ve been meaning to talk to Anthony about the case,” Jack said.
    Devlin frowned. “Anthony handles matrimonial matters. What does that have to do with your murder case?”
    â€œHe works with some of the best investigators in London. If a man’s hiding a secret, Anthony’s investigators can ferret it out.”
    â€œEven if that secret is a woman?” Devlin asked.
    â€œEspecially if it’s a woman.”
    Devlin shrugged and turned to leave. “Perhaps Anthony can talk you out of this nonsense.”
    â€œI owe her father my career, Devlin,” Jack’s voice grated harshly.
    â€œThen do yourself a favor and get yourself a mistress. And the sooner the better, from the looks of Lady Evelyn Darlington,” Devlin shot over his shoulder on his way out.
    Brent waved his hand, dismissing Devlin’s speech. “No need for such measures, Jack. Working long hours will keep your mind off her. Just stay focused on the case.”
    Jack wanted to reassure his friend, but he held his tongue as Brent departed. As soon as the door closed, Jack let out a long held-in breath. Pushing his papers to the side, he stared at the surface of his desk as Evelyn’s image arose in his mind.
    He had initially wanted to kiss her out of need and simple curiosity. He had foolishly thought that if he kissed Evelyn, she would be stone cold—like a dried-out old book that had lingered too long untouched on the library shelf—and he would be able to get her off his mind and move on to focus on Randolph Sheldon’s case. But to his astonishment, she had been anything but frigid. She had been as passionate and hot as an inferno; the kiss had been as smoldering as the heat that joins two metals.
    It had also been just as jarring. His plan to satisfy his curiosity and quench his desire had failed. He had ended the kiss, knowing that if he had allowed it to continue, his resistance would have been lost along with his logic and legal ability. For a brief instant, panic had pierced him, and he had fought to suppress the urge to usher her through his door and out of his life.
    But then cold reason returned, and he recalled his debt to her father.
    Jack had been undisciplined until he had entered his pupilage under Emmanuel Darlington at Lincoln’s Inn. Emmanuel had inspired Jack to learn and had taken him to task, but it was the taste of his first trial that had fully