Wicked Widow by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online Page B

establishing a marriage based on mutual respect and affection, you will be honest with your future spouse right from the start.”
    “As I have absolutely no intention of establishing that sort of marriage in the near future, I don’t think I need be overly concerned with the finer points of your lecture on the subject.”
    She flinched in surprise. Then she unclasped her fingers and sat back quickly. “Good Lord, I was lecturing you, was I not?”
    “That is certainly what it sounded like to me.”
    “Forgive me, Mr. Hunt.” She propped her elbows on the desk and dropped her head into her hands. “I vow, I do not know what came over me. I had no right to involve myself in your personal affairs. My thinking has been rather muddied of late. My only excuse is that I have had some difficulty sleeping and I—” She broke off, raised her head, and winced. “Now I am rambling.”
    “Do not concern yourself about the rambling.” He paused a beat. “But I wish to make it clear that I would be very displeased if my business affairs became snarled at this particular juncture. I’m sure you can appreciate that I am involved in some extremely delicate matters.”
    “Yes, of course. You have made your point, sir. There is no need to threaten me.”
    “I was not aware that I had uttered any threats.”
    “Sir, you are Vanza.” She gave him a steely look. “It is unnecessary to spell out your warnings. I assure you, they are quite clear.”
    For some reason her disgust of all things Vanza was beginning to irritate him. “For a lady who stooped to blackmail in order to coerce me into assisting her last night, you have considerable nerve to insult me today.”
    “Blackmail?” Her eyes widened in outrage. “I did nothing of the kind.”
    “You made it plain that you knew of my ownership of the Dream Pavilions and you are aware that I do not want any gossip in that direction. Forgive me if I misunderstood your intent, but 1 got the distinct impression that you used your information to force me to assist you.”
    She went very pink. “I merely pointed out your obligations in the matter.”
    “Call it what you wish. I call it blackmail.”
    “Oh. Well, you are entitled to your opinion, of course.”
    “Yes. And I should add that blackmail is not my favorite parlor game.”
    “I regret the necessity—”
    The twinge of panic in her eyes satisfied him. He interrupted her explanations with a wave of his hand.
    “How is your maid bearing up today?”
    Madeline looked briefly disconcerted by the abrupt change of topic. She made a visible effort to collect herself. “Nellie is very well, although the kidnappers apparently poured a great deal of laudanum down her throat. She is still a bit groggy and her recollection of events is extremely vague.”
    “Larimer told me that she does not recall much about the affair.”
    “No. The only thing she remembers with any clarity is that the two men argued over how to get the best price for her. She gained the impression that they had been commissioned to abduct her but one of them thought they could get more by selling her to another client.” Madeline shuddered. “It is revolting to think that the brothel keepers are actively engaged in the buying and selling of young women.”
    “Not only young women. They deal in young boys, as well.”
    “It is a terrible trade. One would think the authorities—”
    “The authorities can do very little about it.”
    “Thank heavens we were able to find Nellie in time.” Madeline met his eyes. “If it had not been for your assistance, we would have lost her. Last night I did not have an opportunity to thank you properly.
    Please allow me to do so now.”
    “You may thank me by answering my questions,” he said very softly.
    A wary expression lit her eyes. She gripped the edge of her desk as though bracing herself. “I expected no less. Very well, you are entitled to some explanation. 1 suppose your chief concern is to discover