Loretta Chase - The Devil's Delilah by Loretta Chase Read Free Book Online

Gwendolyn. "It was all very exciting, actually — though I was grateful you hadn't a weapon handy. As the child's rhyme goes, names will never hurt me."
    "Oh," she moaned, twisting herself into the corner of the chair and burying her face in her arms. "Now you're going to be gallant. I can't bear it."
    "Shall I call you names, then, and make us even?"
    "Yes," was the muffled response. "And you'd better not be gentle."
    "Very well." Holding the volume against his breast, Jack recited calmly. "Virago. Hellcat. Beldam."
    She winced.
    "Is that enough?" he asked.
    She shook her head.
    Jack thought. "Termagant," he said.
    "Yes."
    "Shrew, fury, tigress, she-wolf. Ah, here's an excellent one: cross-patch."
    Miss Desmond giggled weakly and raised her pale face towards him.
    "Shall I commence in Latin or Greek, or is that sufficient?"
    "That will do, Mr. Langdon. I feel much better." She rose. "Now if you will please to give me the book."
    Jack's face fell and he backed away. He was, of course, a gentleman to the very core and would do anything to assist a damsel in distress. Anything, that is, except relinquish a book before he'd finished reading it. Especially this book, which was a revelation to him.
    "But Miss Desmond, I'm scarcely halfway through it," he said uneasily. "Your father's hand is not always decipherable."
    Her slanted eyes narrowed. "Sir, that work is not intended for public consumption," she responded with the exaggerated patience of one addressing a half-wit. "I am not certain why Papa placed it here, though I would guess it was his idea of a perfect hiding place. He has used that false binding before," she explained. "Greek is unenticing to the average person. The topic is even less inviting. The combination is guaranteed to drive off all potential readers. Except," she added with a small sigh, " you ."
    "I see." He gazed disconsolately at the volume. "I had better put it back." He turned towards the shelves.
    "No!" she cried. "You must give it to me. It's obviously not safe here."
    "Of course it is," he said, growing stubborn. "Lord Streetham only collects books for show. He never reads anything but political tracts. Tony is interested only in sporting journals. The countess is addicted to gothics. As you said, no one but I would ever muster any interest in so forbidding a volume. Your father obviously knew what he was about. Besides, I might still finish it."
    "No! I don't want you to read any more," she blurted out.
    Though he was convinced Miss Desmond was a tad unbalanced at present, Mr. Langdon felt guilty. Unbalanced or not, she should not be tormented. He saw her eyes glisten then, and he was undone. He had never in his life made a woman cry, and he was certain this woman was not one to weep easily. He felt like a monster.
    He took a step towards her, then paused. She wanted the book, not comforting, and it was not his place to comfort her anyhow — not at least in the way he'd instinctively wished to.
    "I do beg your pardon," he said quietly. "I've been most inconsiderate. I'm afraid I thought only of finishing this wonderful story and not — "
    "And not about entertaining the ladies, eh, Mr. Langdon?" came a low voice from the doorway.
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    Chapter 4

    Miss Desmond whirled round. "Papa," she breathed.
    Her father was glancing over his shoulder into the hall. "In here, Marcus," he said in more carrying tones. "As her ladyship promised, Delilah has come to rescue Mr. Langdon from eyestrain."
    Mr. Desmond stepped into the library. An instant later, Lord Streetham appeared.
    "Ah, still here," said the earl to Jack. "My lady wife tells me you've been holed up all day, neglecting your meals. Won't do, you know. You must relinquish your books and tend to the ladies at least, if you will not attend to your victuals." He glanced at the volume Jack clasped to his breast. "What have you got there? Greek? You are a sorry rogue, indeed. What do you want with such dusty stuff?"
    "Mr. Langdon does not find the work at