The Art of Sinning by Sabrina Jeffries Read Free Book Online

you’d like to come round to our town house in Mayfair tomorrow—”
    â€œActually, Edwin,” Lady Yvette cut in with a veiled glance at Jeremy, “Mr. Keane and I have discussed it, and we feel it would be best to paint the portrait at Stoke Towers.”
    The earl’s gaze narrowed on her. “Why?”
    â€œWith Mr. Keane’s reputation as a rogue, it wouldn’t do to have people see him come and goregularly from our town house. It would almost certainly start tongues wagging. You don’t want that, do you?”
    â€œI suppose not,” her brother muttered.
    â€œBesides, you hate being in town when Parliament isn’t in session. I could barely get you to stay tonight.”
    â€œThat’s true, but—”
    â€œAnd we do have that charitable event in Preston for the boys’ school you support—I can’t sit in London being painted while the plans for that languish. Though if you want to put the portrait off for a few weeks, that could work. Of course, I don’t know how long Mr. Keane intends to be in town . . .”
    Jeremy resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Blakeborough seemed entirely unaware that he was being managed.
    The earl glanced at Jeremy. “You agreed to this? Aren’t you expecting your family to arrive soon?”
    â€œMy cousin wasn’t sure exactly when. It could be weeks. And Zoe will send word the moment they do. Your sister tells me you don’t live far from town. Is that correct?”
    Blakeborough nodded. He surveyed the two of them as if trying to work out what plot might be afoot. But Jeremy had always been expert at hiding his feelings, and Lady Yvette seemed expert at hiding them from her brother, at least.
    At last the earl sighed. “Oh, very well, Yvette, if you prefer it.” He turned to Jeremy. “Do you play chess? Or any sort of cards?”
    â€œOccasionally. Though I’m not particularly good at either.”
    â€œEven better,” Blakeborough said with a rare smile.
    Jeremy wondered if the earl possessed many friends. He didn’t seem to. It was another thing they had in common.
    â€œWell, then,” Lady Yvette said, “we’re agreed. Since I assume you’re staying with your cousin, Mr. Keane, we’ll fetch you in the morning before we leave for Stoke Towers.”
    Although he found her high-handedness amusing, even seductive, she was sometimes a bit presumptuous even for him. “I’m afraid that’s too soon. I can start sketching right away, but the canvases must sit in your home for at least a week to acclimate to the temperature and humidity. So there’s little point in my joining you before that’s done.”
    â€œCanvases?” Blakeborough echoed suspiciously. “More than one?”
    â€œQuite a few, actually, in case the work goes awry and I have to begin again. Or I change my mind about my approach, or I decide—”
    â€œWe understand,” Lady Yvette said with a furtive look at her brother.
    â€œSo if you don’t mind fetching my canvases in the morning,” Jeremy went on, “I’ll come out myself early next week.”
    â€œI see,” she said. “Well, then, tell me the day you mean to arrive, and I’ll send the carriage for you.”
    â€œI prefer to use my own equipage, so I may come and go as I please.” He added, with a bit of sarcasm, “If that’s acceptable.”
    She colored deeply. “Of course, but I assumed, that is—”
    â€œThat I would be happy to dance to your tune.”
    â€œCertainly not. I just thought perhaps you didn’t have an equipage.”
    Right. He was no fool—she’d begun to consider him easy to manage, too. Well, she was in for a surprise. No one managed him—not his mother, not his sister, and definitely not some lofty lady of the realm.
    â€œActually, my lady,” he said silkily, “I own a