Read Online Lord of Devil Isle by Connie Mason - Free Book Online Page B

he’d never seen a bordello clean enough to suit him—either the girls or the linens.
    But he couldn’t even think of replacing Magdalen as long as he was acting as guardian for three marriageable young ladies.
    Unless, of course, he could lure Miss Upshall into the post. He’d never met a woman he couldn’t seduce, but this one was leading him quite a dance. Evidently, she didn’t remember the man was supposed to lead.
    Nick was used to women falling into his hand the moment they caught his eye. Eve Upshall avoided his gaze.
    He suspected he could convince her if he could only catch her alone long enough. He’d felt her yield when he kissed her. His fingers had brushed her quickening pulse. She wanted him. He was sure of it.
    She just wouldn’t admit it.
    And Nick would know no relief until she did.
    The infuriating Miss Upshall was careful never to be without at least one of the others by her side at all times. Now the three of them entered his dining room arm in arm, their broad hoops filling the arched entry.
    “Good evening, ladies.”
    Nicholas made an elegant leg to his guests as they all settled in their places for the evening meal. He held out the chair next to him for Eve, but she breezed past it and sank into the seat opposite his first mate at the far end of the Bermudian cedar table.
    Miss Munroe giggled and took the proffered chair instead. Nick slid her close to the table, determined not to recognize Eve’s slight. He took his seat, thrusting a corner of his napkin into his collar.
    “I trust you all passed a pleasant day,” he said.
    Nick certainly hadn’t. The troop of men filing in and out of his study on the flimsiest of excuses, angling for introductions to the ladies, wore thin after a very short while.
    And he’d been at it for several days.
    “If by ‘pleasant’ you mean to ask if we enjoyed being ogled as if we were prize heifers, then yes. By all means, we had a jolly good day,” Eve said with a poisonous smile.
    Santorini, Nick’s cook, had ratcheted up the quality and diversity of his menus in deference to the new members of the household. He’d really outdone himself with the shellfish bisque that started their meal. Nick ignored Eve’s sniping comment and spooned it up heartily. The white soup would have done credit to a duke’s table.
    “Everyone seems friendly and polite,” Miss Smythe observed so softly Nick had to strain to hear her.
    “Yes, indeed, polite to a fault. I confess myself overawed by the islanders’ mannerliness,” Eve said. “I was particularly gratified by the way they restrained themselves from checking our teeth.”
    Higgs nearly spewed the bisque out his nose.
    “Miss Upshall, my purpose is to see the three of you suitably wed. In order to do that, you need bridegrooms and a man usually wants to see what he’s getting into before he allows himself to be leg-shackled for life,” Nick said, grasping his spoon as if it were a dirk. “How else would you suggest we proceed?”
    “You already know my sentiments on the subject.” Eve placed her spoon on the table with icy precision. “I suggest we proceed to Charleston, where bridegrooms who are willing to make that commitment without benefit of inspecting us first await our arrival. You may even stay on as witness to our nuptials, since our welfare seems to concern you so gravely.”
    “Oh, Evie,” Miss Munroe said. “You know I can’t bear to set foot on another ship.”
    “Penny, you still want to go on, don’t you?” Eve said,peering down the table at her friend. “Remember how Lieutenant Rathbun described your intended as the kindest and gentlest of men.”
    Miss Smythe glanced from Eve to Miss Munroe, then at Peregrine and finally at her own lap.
    “We’ll put it to a vote,” Eve said.
    All of them began to speak at once, arguing the merits of staying or going.
    “No, by thunder, we will not!” Nick snatched the napkin from his throat and slammed it to the table. He couldn’t