To Tame a Dangerous Lord by Nicole Jordan Read Free Book Online Page A

depended on securing two thousand pounds to pay off a blackmailer.”
    “You won’t be paying off the Widow Sauville.”
    “No?”
    “No. We will get your letters back instead so you may burn them. Otherwise there will be no end to her extortion. She will keep bleeding you dry.”
    His expression arrested, Freddie sat upright. “Just how do you mean to accomplish the retrieval of my letters?”
    “I haven’t had time to consider a plan, but I will. Cease fretting, man, and leave me to deal with Madame Sauville.”
    “By Jove, Rayne, you are a Corinthian. I knew you would not let me down.”
    Looking more cheerful, Freddie downed the expensive liquor in one long swallow, then shuddered at the effect.
    “Sorry, old chap, for doubting you. It is just that I have been at my wits’ end ever since learning of that viper’s demands. And you were off in Brighton, wooing genteel young ladies at your grandmother’s behest. And then, when at last I manage to get word to you and you agree to meet me, I find you playing Sir Galahad.”
    Freddie shuddered again. Rising to replenish his glass,he gave Rayne a penetrating glance. “I can scarcely credit that you saddled yourself with a spinster. I should think it the last thing you would want, given that you will soon be leg-shackled to a wife.”
    “On the contrary, I am looking forward to the diversion,” Rayne said in all sincerity.
    He was glad to finally have some excitement in his life. He’d been restless and on edge of late, but in the course of an evening, he had acquired two unexpected challenges to deal with.
    A spark of anticipation surged through him. He thrived on action, and solving Freddie’s dilemma and seeing to Miss Madeline Ellis’s welfare was precisely what he needed to harness his restless energy and fill the emptiness in his life.
    Furthermore, it would allow him to postpone his search for a bride for a time, and to forget that he had sworn to surrender his much-cherished freedom in order to settle down in matrimony and sire an heir.

Chapter Three

     
    You know I have rarely fretted over my circumstances, Maman, but learning of Lord Haviland’s search for a bride makes me wish I had more to offer him
.
     
    Madeline woke reluctantly the next morning, enveloped in the remnants of a delicious dream. For much of the night she’d been held spellbound by Rayne Haviland’s kisses. Loath to leave the delightful fantasy behind, she raised her fingers to her lips, recalling the stunning sensuality, the simmering heat, the ardent tenderness in his touch….
    The lovely sensations suddenly burst as Madeline opened her eyes to the cold light of day.
    It took a moment, however, for her to recognize her surroundings: a luxurious guest bedchamber at Danvers Hall. Lord Haviland had abandoned her there unceremoniously last night, to her chagrin. But apparently her subconscious had forgiven him in favor of reveling in his sinful kisses.
    Vexed at herself for indulging in fruitless dreams, Madeline sighed and shook off the tantalizing memories, then rose to wash and dress. She was foolish to fantasize about Haviland kissing her. Last evening he had simply mistaken her for a lightskirt and had acted withsheer male lust, taking bold advantage of her presumed availability.
    And you responded with unabashed ardor, passionately returning his embrace like any wanton
.
    Madeline blushed in acknowledgment of her wicked behavior, and yet she couldn’t help feeling wistful, knowing she would never again experience anything so enthralling. Haviland had promised it would never happen again, and he was a man of his word … to her immense regret.
    Muttering a rebuke beneath her breath, she donned her undergarments and then reached for her gown. She wished she had something to wear other than ugly black bombazine—
    Immediately Madeline quelled the thought as a pang of conscience struck her.
    “I know,
Maman
. I should not be lamenting my lack of pretty clothes when some poor