Mastering a Sinner by Kate Pearce Read Free Book Online

couldn’t recall doing it, which meant he’d either lost his timepiece at the pleasure house when he’d removed his clothes, or his brother had taken it.
    He’d damn well kill Harry if he’d stolen it. The watch was the only thing he’d managed to save of his father’s after the bailiffs had come in. He’d carried it through all the military campaigns in Spain and considered it something of a lucky charm.
    Much better to imagine he’d lost the thing at the pleasure house. Forcing down his anxiety, Alistair picked up his pen. He had seven letters to write for his employers. He’d go back there later tonight after he’d finished his work and hope to God that this was one mystery Christian Delornay and his staff would be able to solve for him with ease.
     
    The clock chimed eleven times, reminding Alistair both of his lost watch, and that he needed to stop working. He had no concerns about the pleasure house being closed. It was open most of the day and all night and busiest when most decent folk had gone to bed.
    Maddon had brought him something to eat on a tray, so he took the remains of his supper down to the kitchens on his way out. Most of the staff was also asleep, but one of the footmen was at his post and more than willing to fetch Alistair’s hat and cane for him. There was no light under the door of Diana Theale’s new office, which sat beside the breakfast parlor. She hadn’t bothered him for the rest of the day. He assumed she was far too busy reading through the copious notes he had given her.
    It was a fine night, so he decided not to bother calling a hackney and instead walked through the collection of mews houses that backed onto each new square and led him directly to his destination. He used his key to access the rear of the property and made his way into the kitchens. There was no sign of Christian Delornay, but Donal Murray sat at the table eating a bowl of soup and chatting to the French cook.
    Alistair made his way over and sat opposite him.
    “Mr. Murray, I have a question for you.”
    Murray put down his spoon. “Good Lord, Mr. Scott, you are prompt. I barely sent that message off to you not five minutes ago!”
    “What message?”
    “That the lady found your pocket watch. She said she’d wait for you in the room where she found it.”
    “That’s excellent news.” Alistair smiled at Murray. “I’ll just go up and retrieve it, then. Thank you.”
    He took the servants’ stairs to avoid the majority of the guests. The room he’d occupied on the previous night had been the one closest to the door leading to these particular stairs, so if his luck held he would be able to escape undetected. His steps slowed. If Lady M simply gave him back his watch. If she was in an unpleasant humor, she might demand more from him and he was still sore from the night before.
    He shrugged that consideration aside. He was willing to do whatever it took to regain his watch. Another beating with a crop or a quick fuck was not going to stop him.
    The door was shut, so he knocked briskly and went in, closing it behind him.
    “Lady M, I—”
    “Good evening, Mr. Maclean.”
    His horrified gaze fastened on Diana Theale, who sat at her ease in one of the chairs. She held something out to him.
    “Were you looking for this?”

4
    M r. Maclean took a step backward and almost collided with the door. “I was not expecting to see you here.”
    “I can see that.” Diana tilted her head to one side. “You were expecting Lady M.”
    “I do not understand—”
    She smiled. “How could you?” She gestured at the chair opposite her. “Perhaps you might care to sit down and discuss the matter?”
    “I don’t wish to sit down. If you give me my watch, I’ll be on my way and we can forget this ever happened.”
    “Do you think this is an unfortunate accident, Mr. Maclean? That I picked up your watch from the floor, recognized it immediately, and sought to return it to you with the least amount of