The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane Read Free Book Online Page B

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Alasdair laughed again.
    “You
never cease to amaze me, Roger.”
    “Why
don’t we go out this evening and I’ll tell you all about it?” Roger offered
slyly, one dark blue eye winking roguishly. “I’d tell Hil, but he already knows
everything about everything.”
    Alasdair
shook his head. “No, but thank you. My licentious days are behind me now. I’m
not one of the Saint’s Devils anymore,” Alasdair said, referring to the silly nickname
their group of friends had earned years ago in school, based on Hil’s surname.
“I may still cross a line or two, but I don’t live my life that way anymore.”
    “Of
course you’re still a Devil,” Hil said absentmindedly behind him, and Alasdair
turned to see him gently place his perfectly folded paper on the table and give
him a smile. “We were never about licentiousness. We were about living life to
its fullest, experiencing all we could and learning as we went. Aren’t you
still living your life that way?”
    “So
it would seem,” Alasdair replied wryly, thinking of why he’d come to Hil for
help.
    As Hil
took his arm and led him over to the sofa situated in the center of the room,
some of the tension dissolved from Alasdair’s neck and shoulders, reminding him
that true friendship was rare indeed and not to be treated lightly. Alasdair
loved this room. It was a man’s room, all dark wood and rich red upholstery. A large
group of sofas and chairs were arranged in a loose circle in the center of the
room, open on one side to the fireplace. There were also small tables with two
or three chairs surrounding them placed around the room. The walls were covered
in large bookcases, filled with well-used books. Roger hadn’t been far off the
mark when it came to Hil. He was a student of the world. He wanted to know
everything one man could learn in a lifetime.
    Alasdair
had never met Hil’s family and knew very little of his past, which was highly
unusual in the circles in which they both moved. Hil was rather vague on the
subject, and society loved the mystery of it all. Society loved everything
about the eccentric Sir Hilary St. John.
    “Now,
about this woman you seek,” Hil said, returning his
focus to Alasdair’s request. “Tell me.”
    Alasdair sat down on the sofa, and Hil took the seat next to
him, leaning back, quite relaxed. His look was politely interested as he smiled
at Alasdair. Though he looked as though he hadn’t a care in the world, Alasdair
wasn’t fooled. Hil missed nothing. He was brilliant, sharp, and insightful. He
could dissemble any scene or event, or person for that matter, with the
precision of an artist. Along with Hil’s useful connections, it was the very
reason why Alasdair had sought him out today. Hil was involved in all manner of
investments and projects with a wide variety of people in the city, some rather
questionable. Alasdair gave Roger a meaningful glance, unsure of whether he
wanted to involve him.
    “Shall I leave?” Roger asked, but clearly he had no
intention to do so, as he moved over and sat in the chair opposite Alasdair and
Hil. He settled in and sipped his tea, looking all too comfortable.
    “No,” Alasdair answered, “don’t bother.”
    “Oh, good.” Roger sent him a delighted smile. “I’ve been a
little bored, and this promises to be rather interesting.” He frowned for a
moment. “Well, more interesting than anything else at the moment, anyway.”
    “So glad I could oblige.” Alasdair let his sarcasm show.
    “Is it a particular woman,” Hil interrupted, “or will any
one do?”
    Hil’s question brought the whole situation back into stark
focus, and Alasdair planted his elbows on his knees and dropped his forehead into
his palms, despair overriding all else for the moment.
    “Oh, this does look bad,” Roger said. He sounded almost gleeful. “I’d venture to say it’s a particular woman.”
    Alasdair turned his head and glared at him.
    “What?” Roger asked innocently. “I