Read Online Her Wanton Wager by Grace Callaway - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Grace Callaway
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want to tangle with him myself," Magnus said, his eye widening.
"You're not tangling with him," Gavin said. "Your job is to find Fines. Besides, you needn't worry—the marquess is touring the Continent."
Gavin had kept tabs on his enemy. Morgan must feel free as a lark flitting about French châteaux and Italian vineyards with his precious family. Well, the bugger had better enjoy his days of freedom because they were coming to an end.
Magnus scratched his head. "As you wish, then. Perhaps Harteford has other holdings you're not aware of. I'll make the inquiries." The wizened man hobbled to the doorway. "And Hunt?"
Gavin raised a brow.
"Heard you'll be meeting with the Covent Garden bunch soon. None of my business, but they're a bloodthirsty lot." Magnus gave him a concerned look. "Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, I always say."
"I'll keep that in mind."
After Magnus departed, Gavin found his thoughts returning to Percy. He'd been so confident that she would come to him. If he felt the bite of disappointment, he told himself it was due to the fact that she'd put a dent in his plans. His revenge just wouldn't be as ... complete without Percy. Well, he was no namby-pamby to sit by and bemoan the lack of results. Nothing in his life had come without a struggle; why expect anything different in dealing with a little hellion? Drumming his fingers against his desk, he began to strategize.
*****
The following day, Gavin looked out the window of Plimpton's Haberdashery, careful to stay out of view. The little shop was part of the newly opened Burlington Arcade, a shopping mecca next to Bond Street. Beneath the graceful arched roof, stores such as this one offered all manner of high-end goods, from exotic blooms to specially blended scents. 'Twas just the sort of place for a privileged miss to spend her morning. Feral anticipation unfurled in his belly when he spotted Percy and her maid in the distance.
Right on time. As usual, Alfie's information proved spot on.
"They're coming," Gavin said. "Take your place, Plimpton."
The famed haberdasher, who happened to be a client of The Underworld, mopped at his balding pate. "If I do this, Mr. Hunt … the slate's wiped clean? I won't owe you anything?"
Not until you gamble the shirt off your back again. "Yes," Gavin said.
With a shaky nod, Plimpton took his place at the front counter. Gavin strode to the back; concealed by a velvet curtain, he could view all that transpired in the little shop.
Minutes later, a tinkling bell announced Percy's arrival. His blood stirred at seeing her dressed as a lady for the first time. By God, she was … stunning. Her feminine appeal struck him like a blast of sunshine after the rain. Shiny curls peeped from beneath her bonnet, and her cheeks glowed fresh and dewy. Her high-waisted white frock clung to her lithe figure, and he'd been right about her breasts: though covered by a modest bit of frill, those twin beauties were high and rounded and had a tempting bounce to them when she walked.
Hell's teeth, he was developing a cockstand just looking at her.
"Good day, sir. I hope you can help me—I'm in desperate need of a pair of gloves," Percy said, dimpling.
Damnit, even her voice makes me hard.
"You've c-come to the right place, miss," Plimpton stammered. "I have a fine selection, if you'd care to have a look?"
As the shop owner placed his wares upon the counter, the bell rang again. Gavin's lips twitched at the sight of Alfie dressed like a proper young lad. Sporting a child-sized jacket, waistcoat, and breeches, the urchin could pass for the son of a well-to-do family. As Percy's maid helped Percy try on a glove, Alfie ambled toward them. The boy reached out—with a notable lack of his trademark finesse—and snagged the maid's purse.
The woman spun around. "Why you thieving pup!" she sputtered. "Give that back!"
Alfie dangled his prize. "Come an' get it," he said and dashed out the door.
With a cry of "Stay put, Miss
"You're not tangling with him," Gavin said. "Your job is to find Fines. Besides, you needn't worry—the marquess is touring the Continent."
Gavin had kept tabs on his enemy. Morgan must feel free as a lark flitting about French châteaux and Italian vineyards with his precious family. Well, the bugger had better enjoy his days of freedom because they were coming to an end.
Magnus scratched his head. "As you wish, then. Perhaps Harteford has other holdings you're not aware of. I'll make the inquiries." The wizened man hobbled to the doorway. "And Hunt?"
Gavin raised a brow.
"Heard you'll be meeting with the Covent Garden bunch soon. None of my business, but they're a bloodthirsty lot." Magnus gave him a concerned look. "Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, I always say."
"I'll keep that in mind."
After Magnus departed, Gavin found his thoughts returning to Percy. He'd been so confident that she would come to him. If he felt the bite of disappointment, he told himself it was due to the fact that she'd put a dent in his plans. His revenge just wouldn't be as ... complete without Percy. Well, he was no namby-pamby to sit by and bemoan the lack of results. Nothing in his life had come without a struggle; why expect anything different in dealing with a little hellion? Drumming his fingers against his desk, he began to strategize.
*****
The following day, Gavin looked out the window of Plimpton's Haberdashery, careful to stay out of view. The little shop was part of the newly opened Burlington Arcade, a shopping mecca next to Bond Street. Beneath the graceful arched roof, stores such as this one offered all manner of high-end goods, from exotic blooms to specially blended scents. 'Twas just the sort of place for a privileged miss to spend her morning. Feral anticipation unfurled in his belly when he spotted Percy and her maid in the distance.
Right on time. As usual, Alfie's information proved spot on.
"They're coming," Gavin said. "Take your place, Plimpton."
The famed haberdasher, who happened to be a client of The Underworld, mopped at his balding pate. "If I do this, Mr. Hunt … the slate's wiped clean? I won't owe you anything?"
Not until you gamble the shirt off your back again. "Yes," Gavin said.
With a shaky nod, Plimpton took his place at the front counter. Gavin strode to the back; concealed by a velvet curtain, he could view all that transpired in the little shop.
Minutes later, a tinkling bell announced Percy's arrival. His blood stirred at seeing her dressed as a lady for the first time. By God, she was … stunning. Her feminine appeal struck him like a blast of sunshine after the rain. Shiny curls peeped from beneath her bonnet, and her cheeks glowed fresh and dewy. Her high-waisted white frock clung to her lithe figure, and he'd been right about her breasts: though covered by a modest bit of frill, those twin beauties were high and rounded and had a tempting bounce to them when she walked.
Hell's teeth, he was developing a cockstand just looking at her.
"Good day, sir. I hope you can help me—I'm in desperate need of a pair of gloves," Percy said, dimpling.
Damnit, even her voice makes me hard.
"You've c-come to the right place, miss," Plimpton stammered. "I have a fine selection, if you'd care to have a look?"
As the shop owner placed his wares upon the counter, the bell rang again. Gavin's lips twitched at the sight of Alfie dressed like a proper young lad. Sporting a child-sized jacket, waistcoat, and breeches, the urchin could pass for the son of a well-to-do family. As Percy's maid helped Percy try on a glove, Alfie ambled toward them. The boy reached out—with a notable lack of his trademark finesse—and snagged the maid's purse.
The woman spun around. "Why you thieving pup!" she sputtered. "Give that back!"
Alfie dangled his prize. "Come an' get it," he said and dashed out the door.
With a cry of "Stay put, Miss
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