Read Online Candice Hern by Once a Scoundrel - Free Book Online Page B

one hanging over her shoulder. That one was being twisted around her finger while she reviewed the proofs.
    Would the whole glorious mass fall down her back if he released the combs? And how long would it be before he was allowed to find out?
    He was jerked from such pleasant reverie by the entrance of Lucy, whose coquettish gaze drifted toward Tony before she spoke to Edwina.
    “Robbie Vickers is here, miss.”
    A gangly, yellow-haired youth entered with a cloth cap crushed in his hands. Unlike Lucy, he seemed not even to notice Tony. His eyes, wide with adolescent adoration, were fixed on the woman behind the desk. Poor chap. Youthful infatuation was often a painful thing to bear, and this lad looked well and truly lost.
    “I’ve come for the proofs, Miss Parrish,” he said. His gaze dropped to the floor and he twisted the cap nervously.
    Edwina gathered up the large pages and stacked them neatly in a pile. She glared at the stripling and jabbed a finger at the stack. “These will not do, Robbie. Tell Imber these proofs are a mess and will have to be completely redone.”
    “B—but, Miss Parrish,” the boy said, clearly agitated to have somehow displeased the object of his worship, “there’s no time. We can’t possibly do a whole new set of proofs before going to press.”
    “Then you must find a way to make it possible,” she said. “I cannot allow the Cabinet to go out like this.”
    She gestured for Robbie to step closer and began to point out several layout errors in such exasperated and outraged tones, the poor lad was rendered speechless. Finally, he took the pages, rolled themup, and placed them in a large bag he’d brought with him.
    “I’ll show these to Mr. Imber,” he said, “and see if there’s something he can do.”
    “There had better be,” Edwina said. “Under no circumstances is he to go to print until he’s delivered another set of proofs for my approval. Is that clear?”
    Her tone brooked no argument, and she would get none from this poor lad.
    “Yes, Miss Parrish. Thank you, ma’am.” The boy turned on his heel and left as quickly as his long legs could carry him.
    Edwina leaned back in her chair and muttered something beneath her breath.
    “I can see you haven’t changed much,” Tony said. “As obstinate and bossy as ever.”
    She slid a glance in his direction and gave a disparaging little sniff.
    He decided to use the occasion to prod a bit, to see what he could discover about Edwina Parrish. “Yes, just like the little girl I once knew. It is no wonder you never found a husband prepared to put up with such managing ways.”
    She bristled at his words. A brief shadow of uneasiness flickered in her eyes, and was as quickly gone. “I don’t have to sit here and listen to your insults. Go away.”
    Aha. He had touched a nerve. Yet, some imp of mischief made him press on.
    “Oh, but you promised me tea, as I recall,” he said. “A perfect opportunity for you to fill me in on the last—what?—eighteen or nineteen years. You can tell me how your officious ways drove every man out of your life.”
    “You hateful man. I did no such thing!”
    “Oh? And why, then, are you still unmarried?”
    “It is none of your business, Mr. Morehouse.”
    Interesting. The subject had set her hackles up. Had there been a disappointing romance? A failed betrothal? A broken heart? She was squirming in her seat and would not look him in the eye. It was the first hint of vulnerability he’d yet seen in her.
    “No, you are probably right. And my name is Anthony, you know. Or Tony. Whichever you like. We are old friends, after all. But you cannot blame me for being intrigued that such a beautiful woman has not been snatched up by some enterprising fellow with a discriminating eye.”
    “Do not try to distract me with flattery, sir. I’ve heard it all.”
    “I am sure you must have. Beauty such as yours does not go unnoticed. Was that what happened? You heard so many tributes to your