Read Online Carnal Deceptions by Scottie Barrett - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Scottie Barrett
Ads: Link
creature who must cower at the very voice of her master.”
“I have yet to see you cower,” he said with a grin as he wiped a tear away with his thumb.
“Perhaps, that is a bit of an exaggeration,” she said, and without any warning she smiled.
“A bit,” he agreed. “Can I assume your father invested in Sloan’s land scheme as did Lord Stadwell? Was Beadle the intermediary?”
“Yes and yes. But Beadle did help me after my father died. He saw to it that he was buried—” She clamped her lips together.
With the heel of her free hand she pushed hard at his chest. When she didn’t manage to budge him, she shoved with more force. He gripped the sides of her waist and lowered his face. Her sweet breath whispered across his mouth.
“Enough.” He gazed at where his fingers held her. Intrigued, he used both hands to circle her waist. “That’s the tiniest waist I’ve ever had my hands around. Why do you wear these oversized frocks?”
“Because I am modest, Lord Marcliffe.”
“How amusing. A modest whore.” Still perplexed, he peered down again at his hands bracketing her waist. He rubbed his thumbs in the hollow of her belly. “You are like a mirage. There is something there, and then it is gone. When I think of you I can’t quite picture you in my mind.” He closed his eyes. “No, I cannot describe you. Why is that, do you think?” He opened his eyes. “And there you are, sweetly familiar.”
His head dipped nearer, his lips nearly grazing her mouth. She clutched at his shirt, clearly not realizing the effect she was having on him. Her innocence startled him. She was completely unaware of how badly he wanted to kiss her. The obstacle of the candle infuriated him and he blew it out. The darkness enveloped them.
“I’m desperate to be a part of your plan. I should be allowed the satisfaction of seeing Sloan pay.”
He released his hold on her. “I cannot allow it. I will handle everything.” He left Hortensia and her pouty but incredibly appealing mouth alone in the dark.
Chapter Six
Tess set up the cribbage board and pegs. She hoped a game of cards would offer a diversion. Dinner had been uncomfortably long and Tess had barely managed to eat a forkful. Lord Marcliffe had sat at the end of the table in sullen silence. Tess was certain she was the source of his grim mood.
A sharp rapping at the door sent the mastiffs skidding across the parlor floor. Their barking soon became grating.
“Excuse me,” Tess said to Lady Stadwell as she pushed away from the card table.
Irritated, she went to see if someone was getting the door.
Cyrus stood in the open doorway, blocking her view of the visitor. When he stepped aside, Tess was more than shocked to see Beadle enter. It was the first time he’d deigned to call since dropping her on Lady Stadwell’s doorstep. Cyrus took Beadle’s hat and coat and tossed them over the umbrella stand. Beadle’s expression soured at the big man’s rudeness.
Cyrus motioned with his head. “Lord Marcliffe is waiting for you in the library.”
There was only a flicker of acknowledgement as Beadle glanced at Tess before his expression went blank. “Miss Calloway, I do hope you are finding your employment satisfactory.”
Not waiting for a response, he walked officiously in the direction of the library. Beadle was persisting with the ruse using the fake name he’d supplied her. Tess supposed he wanted to continue an amiable business relationship with Lady Stadwell. She would not take kindly to having been tricked into sheltering an orphan whose father had died ignominiously.
What business could Lord Marcliffe have with Beadle? What if the meeting had something to do with Lord Marcliffe’s pointed questioning of her last week? Perhaps she was being too cynical. It was entirely possible that Beadle had solved her financial
dilemma. All she could do now was go back to the game and wait. She would know soon enough why he had come.
Lady Stadwell had
“I have yet to see you cower,” he said with a grin as he wiped a tear away with his thumb.
“Perhaps, that is a bit of an exaggeration,” she said, and without any warning she smiled.
“A bit,” he agreed. “Can I assume your father invested in Sloan’s land scheme as did Lord Stadwell? Was Beadle the intermediary?”
“Yes and yes. But Beadle did help me after my father died. He saw to it that he was buried—” She clamped her lips together.
With the heel of her free hand she pushed hard at his chest. When she didn’t manage to budge him, she shoved with more force. He gripped the sides of her waist and lowered his face. Her sweet breath whispered across his mouth.
“Enough.” He gazed at where his fingers held her. Intrigued, he used both hands to circle her waist. “That’s the tiniest waist I’ve ever had my hands around. Why do you wear these oversized frocks?”
“Because I am modest, Lord Marcliffe.”
“How amusing. A modest whore.” Still perplexed, he peered down again at his hands bracketing her waist. He rubbed his thumbs in the hollow of her belly. “You are like a mirage. There is something there, and then it is gone. When I think of you I can’t quite picture you in my mind.” He closed his eyes. “No, I cannot describe you. Why is that, do you think?” He opened his eyes. “And there you are, sweetly familiar.”
His head dipped nearer, his lips nearly grazing her mouth. She clutched at his shirt, clearly not realizing the effect she was having on him. Her innocence startled him. She was completely unaware of how badly he wanted to kiss her. The obstacle of the candle infuriated him and he blew it out. The darkness enveloped them.
“I’m desperate to be a part of your plan. I should be allowed the satisfaction of seeing Sloan pay.”
He released his hold on her. “I cannot allow it. I will handle everything.” He left Hortensia and her pouty but incredibly appealing mouth alone in the dark.
Chapter Six
Tess set up the cribbage board and pegs. She hoped a game of cards would offer a diversion. Dinner had been uncomfortably long and Tess had barely managed to eat a forkful. Lord Marcliffe had sat at the end of the table in sullen silence. Tess was certain she was the source of his grim mood.
A sharp rapping at the door sent the mastiffs skidding across the parlor floor. Their barking soon became grating.
“Excuse me,” Tess said to Lady Stadwell as she pushed away from the card table.
Irritated, she went to see if someone was getting the door.
Cyrus stood in the open doorway, blocking her view of the visitor. When he stepped aside, Tess was more than shocked to see Beadle enter. It was the first time he’d deigned to call since dropping her on Lady Stadwell’s doorstep. Cyrus took Beadle’s hat and coat and tossed them over the umbrella stand. Beadle’s expression soured at the big man’s rudeness.
Cyrus motioned with his head. “Lord Marcliffe is waiting for you in the library.”
There was only a flicker of acknowledgement as Beadle glanced at Tess before his expression went blank. “Miss Calloway, I do hope you are finding your employment satisfactory.”
Not waiting for a response, he walked officiously in the direction of the library. Beadle was persisting with the ruse using the fake name he’d supplied her. Tess supposed he wanted to continue an amiable business relationship with Lady Stadwell. She would not take kindly to having been tricked into sheltering an orphan whose father had died ignominiously.
What business could Lord Marcliffe have with Beadle? What if the meeting had something to do with Lord Marcliffe’s pointed questioning of her last week? Perhaps she was being too cynical. It was entirely possible that Beadle had solved her financial
dilemma. All she could do now was go back to the game and wait. She would know soon enough why he had come.
Lady Stadwell had
Similar Books
