Night of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle Read Free Book Online Page B

what I’m afraid of. I’m marrying a woman worth eighteen million. How the hell does a man impress a woman who has everything?”
    His brother shifted against the edge of the desk and methodically removed a piece of lint from his trousers. “By giving her the one thing no amount of money can buy: a cock full of Banfield seed.”
    Derek burst into laughter. “You ought to be arrested for your way of thinking.”
    Andrew grinned. “I learned from the best. Something tells me she’ll be pregnant in less than two weeks. If it’s a boy, name it after me. If it’s a girl, still name it after me. Call her Andrewlina .”
    Derek swiped his face at the thought, rose to his feet and walked toward the window before swinging back. “She won’t even be here in two weeks. I’m telling you, the wait is burning me alive.”
    “Tickle her portrait and you’ll be fine.” Sliding off the desk, Andrew tugged on the sleeves of his coat. “Unfortunately, I have to retire. I’m heading back to London in the morning. I promised Brayton I’d show him around the city.” He sighed. “What time is it?”
    Derek glanced at the clock on the mantle of the hearth. “After midnight. I have to get up early and finish going through the ledgers. Again. I’m going to hire a new bookkeeper because none of the ledgers are making sense.” Trudging over to the desk again, Derek opened the drawer where he kept all of Clementine’s letters and rifled through them, plucking out his favorite. The one where she described New York during the winter. He tucked it into his waistcoat pocket, to take upstairs with him, then pulled out her small portrait, tucking that in his pocket, as well. He liked sleeping with her portrait. It was better than a pillow. He closed the drawer and pointed at his brother. “You didn’t see that.”
    Andrew walked toward him. “By God. You’re more than soft for her.”
    Derek edged back. “Maybe. What of it?”
    His brother shrugged. “I’m not poking you in the rib about it. I’m incredibly happy the arrangement turned into something meaningful for you. Most men end up grouching about whatever their parents arrange. So uh…” He cleared his throat. “I actually have my own announcement to make. I was going to wait until morning, but I can’t.” Andrew edged in, a boyish excitement overtaking his features. “Out of all the people in my life, you’re the only one who never shuts the door. No matter what I do. Hell, if it weren’t for you, Mother would have disowned me by now. You keep all of my secrets. Every last one. Even the worst of them.”
    Now he was scared. He leaned back. “Are we talking about the worst here?”
    “Far from it.” Andrew glanced toward the open doorway and lowered his voice. “I’ve finally met the woman I was destined to meet. I’m talking about a woman who reaches deep into your being and dredges out things from your soul you didn’t even know existed.”
    It was as if his brother was referring to Satan. “Do I know this woman?” he drawled.
    “No. But I was hoping you’d be willing to meet her. Do you have time to come out to London in the next two weeks and host a luncheon for her and her mother? It would mean the world to me.” He sounded hopeful.
    By the Saints. His brother had never asked him to meet any of his women. Maybe this was it. Maybe his brother was finally going down the respectable path of being a married man. Amen . Derek grinned, reached out and shoved that head. “I’d love to meet her. Why the hell didn’t you tell me about her sooner? Who is she?”
    “I don’t think our mother should know about her quite yet.”
    Derek’s grin faded. “So you’re saying Mother wouldn’t approve.”
    “You know how she is. Prim and proper this and prim and proper that. Like everyone else in our circle. She would never understand. You’re the only one I can trust in this.” Andrew hesitated. “If I show you something, do you vow not to tell Mother or