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

that you are exactly the man for the job."
    Jack sat down, taking the volume upon his lap. It had grown much heavier in the past few minutes.
    "Perhaps I had better explain," said Mr. Desmond.
    "Yes, thank you. I would appreciate that."
    Mr. Desmond began by describing the near-fatal illness which had inspired him to write his recollections. He had intended that, in the event of calamity, their publication would obtain his wife and daughter a respectable sum. Invested wisely, the sum would earn them a modest but reliable annual income.
    There being no calamity at the moment, Mr. Desmond was not inclined to stir up old animosities against himself and his family, particularly in the present circumstances. His daughter was unwed. As it was, she would have sufficient difficulty being accepted by a Great World which had decades ago shut its doors to her parents. To publish now was to eliminate any possibility of a respectable marriage to one of her own class.
    "Delilah must marry into that class, of course, Mr. Langdon. Though her mama trod the boards for a brief time, she is still an Ornesby and Lord Stivling's niece. Nor am I precisely a parvenu. The barony my brother inherited is an ancient one. Besides, we cannot shackle Delilah to the blacksmith or the tavern-keeper. Their tastes run along more oxen-like lines, I think. Poor child. She's neither fish nor fowl. You have seen for yourself how unrefined her manners are. Not to mention that beastly temper of hers. She will not count to ten."
    Without appearing to notice his listener's faint flush, Mr. Desmond went on, "Lady Potterby, my wife's aunt, has courageously agreed to transform Delilah into a Society miss and attempt to launch her in the Little Season."
    Lady Potterby must be addled in her wits to take on this Augean task, Jack thought. Still, who was he to judge? What else could a young lady do but wed, especially if she is not a well-heeled young lady? The only gainful employment open to her was as governess, companion, or prostitute. For the former two Miss Desmond's personality appeared profoundly ill-suited. The third alternative was not to be contemplated.
    "I understand your reasons for suppressing your story," said Jack, when he belatedly became aware that a response was awaited. "I simply don't understand the difficulty in doing so. Why did you say the manuscript was no longer safe in your custody?"
    "Atkins wants it, apparently more desperately than I'd believed. He has hired confederates to invade this household and search our belongings. I made the discovery this morning. Fortunately, I'd already thought to store the manuscript in that false binding. Whoever examined my room did not trouble with a book left out in plain sight. After breakfast I took the book to the library, just as though I'd borrowed it. I had no fear of discovery. I knew that whatever Marcus pretended to be these days, he was no bibliophile. Further, his Greek and Latin were always abominable."
    "This sounds so — so conspiratorial," said Jack uncomfortably. "Are you certain, sir, these intruders were not simply common burglars?"
    "Then why has there been no general alarm? Why trouble with the belongings of obviously down-at-heel guests when there are richer pickings elsewhere? No, sir, I'm convinced Atkins is at the bottom of this. Admittedly, I did wonder at first whether our host had set his servants to search for deadly weapons. After all, we Desmonds might run amok and embark upon a murder spree." Mr. Desmond chuckled.
    Mr. Langdon's sense of humour had deserted him. Nor were his spirits raised when Mr. Desmond went on to describe Mr. Atkins's grief in learning the book would not be his after all. This had upset the publisher far more than hearing he must be patient for his money.
    "I had not expected such intrepidity from him, I must confess," Mr. Desmond continued. "But with your help we will keep this desperate fellow at bay until I come up with the blunt to repay him."
    The reminder