Outrageous by Christina Dodd Read Free Book Online

Wenthaven realized. Nature had endowed Harbottle with such masculine beauty, he’d become spoiled. Conquest had become second nature to him. Nature, also, had endowed him with coordination and strength.
    Ah, aye, Marian had dealt a blow to both Harbottle’s conceit and his confidence, and a man in such disarray would seek vindication. Hot-tempered, hot-blooded, with delusions of his own virtuous character, Harbottle reminded Wenthaven of an untrained cur. Frisky, without direction, but teachable with the right master.
    True, Wenthaven trained purebreds, but the principles were the same. Gesturing with his sword, he said, “Pour yourself some wine. It’s the best from my cellar.”
    “You can’t bribe me like a child,” Harbottleprotested, but he poured the wine and sipped it. His face lit up. “It is good.”
    “Of course. Now sit down.”
    Harbottle’s face clouded again. “Nay!”
    A sharp blow, then a stroke from the master. Wenthaven planted the sword into Harbottle’s chest. “Please sit down.”
    Subsiding like a good hound, Harbottle watched with mournful blue eyes as Wenthaven filled a goblet for himself and took the chair opposite.
    “The way I see it,” Wenthaven said, “is that I misdirected your talents. I should have seen at once you were too refined for anything as distasteful as seeking out information.”
    “Nay.” Harbottle drank, and Wenthaven gestured to the woman who hovered beside the bed. She brought the pitcher and filled Harbottle’s cup again.
    “Nay, indeed.” Wenthaven made a production of drinking but let the wine only touch his tongue. “Today you proved your sword is your strength.”
    Rising in a surge of indignation, Harbottle shouted, “I’ll not be laughed at.”
    Wenthaven raised his eyebrows. “Who’s laughing? I meant it as a sincere compliment.” He watched the young man waver, then pointed at the chair again with his sword. “Sit.”
    This time Harbottle responded with less reluctance. He sat.
    A pleased master, Wenthaven said, “When I encouraged you to fight the lady Marian, I should have warned you of her slyness. It was obvious to all you were holding back because of her femininity, and when she realized it, she took advantage of you.”
    Harbottle’s full lips parted. “Indeed?”
    “Of that there was no doubt. Word has spread about the excellence of your sword fighting.”
    “I am good! Damned good. That’s how I’ve supported myself, and I’ll wager you knew it.”
    “How would I know that?”
    “The same way you know everything. Why, I’d wager every one of those noble folk who eat at your table pay your price in secrets. I bet you’re the most well-informed man in the kingdom.”
    “You flatter me.” Wenthaven tapped his teeth with one long fingernail and deduced it was time to dangle the proper treat. “But we’re not here to talk about me. We’re here to talk about you. You and the nubile Lady Marian. Isn’t that correct?”
    At the mention of Marian’s name, Harbottle’s hand shook and his voice rose an octave. “What about me and Lady Marian?”
    A stud with the scent of a bitch strong in his nostrils, Wenthaven diagnosed. “You wanted to get to know her better, isn’t that correct? She wasn’t noticing you, and I suggested you challenge her. I thought when you defeated her, she’d show you some respect.” Sadly, Wenthaven sighed. “I failed to think about the advantage she’d have.…I imagine her excellent figure might have distracted you. Hmm?” He peered into Harbottle’s moist eyes, and Harbottle looked away. “It’s no shame. If I do say so myself, Lady Marian’s breasts are the finest in the kingdom. She isn’t as comely as you are, of course, but there aren’t many men who can match her height as you can. I imagine the men lucky enough to share her bed find she can wrap her legs around them twice.”
    The air around Harbottle wavered with warmth.
    Allowing himself a private smile, Wenthaven now opened the