[Victoria Alexander] The Virgin's Secret (Harringt(BookZZ.org) by Mom Read Free Book Online Page B

the question, isn‟t it?” The earl stepped forward to stand beside his brothers. Even in a dressing gown and with his hair disheveled, there was an air of command about him. “Who are you and what are you doing in my library?”
    Under other circumstances, Gabriella might have found the three Harrington brothers—all
    sharing a similarity of height and build, and all undeniably handsome and dashing—to be an enticing display of the best of British manhood. If only two of them weren‟t the scoundrels she knew them to be.
    “She‟s a thief and I caught her.” Regina smirked, and nodded at Nathanial. “And he knows her.”
    “All I know,” Nathanial said slowly, his gaze locked with Gabriella‟s, “is that I have never kissed her in the moonlight.”
    “Pity.” A half smile curved Quinton Harrington‟s lips, and his gaze traveled over Gabriella in a most improper manner. She‟d never especially considered how revealing men‟s clothes were
    before, but now had the uneasy feeling he was seeing her without benefit of any clothing at all. “I would have.”
    “Quinton,” his mother said sharply. “This is not the time for your nonsense. And do light some additional lamps so that we may see her properly.”
    “I saw her rather well,” Quinton said under his breath, and proceeded to comply with his
    mother‟s request.
    “Now, then,” the earl began. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”
    Gabriella hesitated. Apparently her courage wasn‟t entirely up to this task, after all. She squared her shoulders and met the earl‟s gaze firmly. “I am here to find proof that your brothers stole an artifact of no little significance from my brother. That theft ultimately led to his death.” She drew a deep breath. “My name is Gabriella Montini.”
    Nathanial stared. “That‟s why you look so familiar. You bear a striking resemblance to your brother.”
    “Don‟t be absurd.” Quinton snorted. “She doesn‟t look the least bit like Enrico Montini. He was a good twenty years older and considerably darker in coloring than she.”
    “Montini,” Lady Wyldewood murmured, more to herself than the others, the oddest look on her face.
    “Not that brother.” Nathanial waved off Quinton‟s comment. “The brother who confronted me in Egypt.”
    Good Lord, he still didn‟t realize she was the brother who had confronted him. Gabriella sent a silent prayer of gratitude heavenward. “The brother you lied to and sent on a wild goose chase to Turkey?”
    “You what?” The earl glared at his younger brother.
    “I was protecting my brother,” Nathanial said sharply.
    Quinton shrugged. “Not necessary but appreciated nonetheless.”
    “Regardless, she looks exactly like that brother,” Nathanial said. “Are you twins?”
    “We are…like one,” Gabriella said, ignoring a twinge of conscience. It wasn‟t exactly a lie but it certainly wasn‟t the truth.
    Regina glanced toward her mother. “I thought she looked remarkably like Lady Carpenter.”
    “Yes, of course,” the older woman said thoughtfully.
    “I fear, Miss Montini,” the earl said in the cool tone of someone used to being obeyed without question, “that I require a more detailed explanation for your presence here tonight. Unless you would prefer that I send for the authorities.”
    “You can‟t have her arrested,” Nathanial said without warning.
    Surprise widened Gabriella‟s eyes. “Why not?”
    The earl stared at his brother. “Why not indeed?”
    “She has a legitimate complaint. Not with us,” Nathanial added quickly. “We did not take the seal. But someone did and has caused her irreparable harm. It doesn‟t seem quite right to have her arrested.”
    Regina scoffed. “She did break into the house.”
    “Frankly, my lord, I would prefer to avoid arrest,” Gabriella added.
    “What seal?” Impatience rang in the earl‟s voice. “I want to know what this is all about, and then I shall decide what should be done with