In the Garden of Temptation by Cynthia Wicklund Read Free Book Online Page A

distinctive from the other nails. It was a clever idea,
and Adam said as much to groom, who watched from nearby. Brown
nodded slightly, but there was no friendliness in the gesture.
    “ I suppose you’ll want to
take them out for a run,” the baron said reluctantly.
    “ I should say so. Wouldn’t
want to purchase a pig in a poke, now would I?”
    Adam smiled to indicate no insult was
intended, but the baron bristled anyway.
    “ I think it’s clear that my
horses are exceptional. You will not be disappointed. In fact,” the
baron muttered, “I’m afraid you’ll be much too pleased.”
    “ Beg pardon?”
    Bourgeault scowled and shook his head.
“Nothing, nothing. Brown, harness the animals to the phaeton. Our
guest wishes to put our beauties to the ribbons.”
    It was an exhilarating ride. The horses were
attuned to one another, moving in perfect unity. Adam assumed being
twins gave them an edge over other matched pairs, but it was more
than that. They were the opposing sides of the same coin,
displaying an instinctive cooperation. He played the reins over the
backs of the heaving beasts, and for one ecstatic moment he felt a
part of their oneness. If heaven exists, this is how he would
choose to spend eternity.
    His return to the stable yard was a letdown.
He wished the ride could go on forever, a bit like the peak of very
fine sex. There had been a moment during the height of his
excursion when he was not certain he could have distinguished
between the two distinctive activities, save sex did not require an
excellent pair of driving gloves.
    Adam climbed down from the phaeton and strode
briskly over to where the baron stood waiting for him. “Let’s not
bandy words, Bourgeault. Name your price. I could pretend I’m only
fairly impressed, but you would know I was dissembling, and I see
no point in prolonging the negotiations. Those horses are superb
and I must have them.”
    “ Ten thousand.”
    Adam’s jaw dropped—not figuratively, but in
actuality—to his chest. “Ten thousand pounds?” he gasped.
    “ That’s for the pair, of
course.”
    “ You’re daft, man. No wonder
you’ve been unable to sell those nags. You must think me an
unmitigated fool.”
    “ Nags? A moment ago they
were superb,” the baron sneered. “I expect a price that reflects
the worth of my animals.”
    “ Then I suggest you keep
them. If you had told me what was on your mind, you could have
saved us a both the time and effort. I could outfit a small stable
with prime livestock for that ridiculous amount.”
    “ That’s a paltry sum in
comparison to your total wealth. If one wants something badly
enough, no price is too high,” the baron said.
    “ What? Do you believe wealth
and stupidity are synonymous?” Adam turned to leave. “I will be
departing within the hour. I regret we were unable to come to
terms.”
    “ Now, now, didn’t mean to
offend,” the baron hastened, his tone turning wheedling. “Give it
another day. We’ll share a bottle of wine this evening and do some
serious haggling. Maybe we can meet each other halfway.”
    And maybe icecaps will form
in Hades .
    “ To be brutally frank, sir,
your initial proposal is so outlandish, I’m afraid even halfway
won’t serve. Besides, you said your price was firm.”
    “ You never know,” the baron
said coyly. “Why don’t you spend this afternoon looking over my
estate? I’ve some business that has come up and needs my immediate
attention. We can talk over dinner.” He paused as though
considering some weighty matter. “I have it! My wife is available,
and I’m certain she would enjoy giving you the tour.” He looked at
the earl expectantly.
    Well, damn! The man wouldn’t understand the
meaning of good conduct if it were to hit him upside his thick
head. Adam was being shuffled off to see to his own devices as if
he were a nuisance. Only one small but vital fact kept him from
turning the baron down flat. The thought of an afternoon spent in
the