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

fired Jack’s ambition. A trial victory was like an addictive drug, luring him to continuously crave the next one. To be able to persuade twelve jurors with only his words and a few props that his side was the righteous one—no matter how damning the facts—gave Jack a feeling of invincibility.
    But it was not without cost. Jack worked long, unconventional hours, often leaving chambers with a heavy litigation bag and working well past midnight at home. He had longed for the next trial far more than he had longed for a wife.
    He had known of barristers that had tried for both—a heavy trial practice and a family. Many failed to deal with the stress and too often indulged in alcohol as a way to cope. Their wives were bitter, their children neglected.
    No, Jack Harding had sworn never to fall into the marriage trap.
    His work was the most important aspect of his life. He had always enjoyed women, just not the tangle of relationships or the typical hysterics that accompanied them when he sought to walk away from a woman—all of which could weaken his focus.
    He could work with Evelyn Darlington, he reminded himself. It would require that he keep a physical distance from her, but the fact that Evelyn was just as determined to maintain a professional relationship henceforth should aid his cause.
    Devlin’s and Brent’s advice rushed back to him. Jack would take both. It shouldn’t be hard to immerse himself in his work like Brent had suggested. His docket had already been full without the addition of Randolph Sheldon as a client.
    As for Devlin’s advice to take a mistress, the thought had a certain appeal.
    Jack’s prior mistress, Molly Adler, would welcome him back if he chose to pay her a visit. He had never officially ended relations with her; he had simply stopped calling. She had sent love notes, of course, but his interest had waned, and as an experienced London courtesan, she must have known to take another lover. But he had no doubt she would invite him into her bed if he chose to knock on her door.
    It was a good idea, he knew. There was no easier way to get a woman off his mind than to bed another. They were all the same; Evelyn Darlington was just a woman, no different from any other. And when it came to the importance of his career, Jack refused to allow Evelyn to be the exception to his steadfast rule.

Chapter 7
    A week after Evelyn had met with Jack in his chambers, she still had not heard from Randolph. Needing to distract herself, she decided to go on a long-delayed shopping excursion. Her maid, Janet, walked beside her as they passed Bond Street’s well-known establishments—Hookham’s Circulating Library, Ackermann’s print shop, and Sir Thomas Lawrence’s portrait studio.
    They came up to Gentleman Jackson’s boxing salon, and Janet craned her neck to get a glimpse inside.
    Evelyn couldn’t blame her maid. The pugilistic arts were presently in fashion, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Jack Harding practiced boxing. At once her mind pictured him bare-chested and bare-knuckled, sweating in a ring. Her temperature rose of its own accord.
    Biting her lip, she turned to her maid. “Janet, while I’m in the milliner’s shop, I want you to go to the tea shop next door and pick up Lord Lyndale’s medicinal tea.”
    Janet dragged her gaze away from the pugilists visible through the window to look at her employer. “’Ow will I know which one, m’ lady?”
    â€œThe proprietor knows what I require for Lord Lyndale.”
    Evelyn’s father had been looking tired of late, and Evelyn was concerned that his hectic schedule was taking a toll on his health. Even though as an earl he need not work as a barrister or a lecturing professor, Emmanuel Darlington refused to act the titled lord and give up his love of teaching.
    â€œAye, m’ lady.” Janet bobbed her white-capped head, and left for the tea