Read Online Lovers Forever by Shirlee Busbee - Free Book Online

way!”
    Coleman coughed delicately, and Avery’s head swung in his direction. Not meeting his master’s eyes, he said, “Um, no one but that pair of ape leaders has seen the dimber mort today.... They say she ain’t feeling well and that they’re the only ones she wants in her rooms.” He hesitated and then muttered, “There’s a horse missing from the stables—that little chestnut she always rides.”
    â€œ What ?” Avery ejaculated, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.
    Well used to his master’s rages, Coleman took a prudent step backward. Glumly he added, “Don’t believe the chit is in her rooms. Think she’s done a flit and the aunts are hiding it.”
    In one violent motion Avery swept the tray onto the floor, food, china, and glassware flying in all directions. Breathing heavily, his face almost ugly with rage, he fought to bring his temper under control. “Those conniving bitches!” he finally snarled. “If they think—” He broke off, took a deep breath, and snapped, “Find2 out more about that missing horse, discreetly —and tell the ladies, all the ladies, that I’ll see them in my study within the hour. And clean up this mess and get my goddamn bath!”
    Grateful to have escaped so lightly, Coleman scuttled about, swiftly cleaning up the broken crockery and remnants of food and drink. His task completed, he fairly bolted from the room, the expression on Avery’s face making him distinctly uneasy.
    As he paced the confines of his elegant chamber, awaiting Coleman’s return, Avery’s thoughts were not pleasant. He didn’t doubt that his quarry had fled—nor that London was her destination. Casting a considering eye at the weather outside and seeing the dark, lowering clouds, he realized that even if he were to leave within the hour, it wasn’t feasible for him to go tearing after Tess today. He did think about it, but a glance at the ormolu clock on the gray marble mantelpiece decided him against it. It was gone four o’clock, and if Tess had fled to London last night, she was already there—and out of his reach. His mouth thinned. And he had damn well better come up with a likely story to counteract the tale that she was no doubt pouring into her uncles’ ears at this very moment!
    The situation was desperate. Tess’s story had to be refuted immediately. His finances were in utter disarray, and he faced ruin since that last trip of his to London and his heavy gaming losses. A speedy marriage to an heiress was the only thing standing between him and dun territory. His face twisted. Damn Tess! And those bloody aunts!
    Suddenly his features cleared. Of course, there was Mr. Brown.... A tigerish smile curved his lips. Mr. Brown would not be happy with any new demands. But that couldn’t be helped, Avery thought grimly. Mr. Brown would just have to advance him a generous sum or face the consequences....
    An hour later, bathed and impeccably groomed, his hasty plans to avert a catastrophe already in motion, Avery met with the aunts in his study. “Ah, ladies,” he said smoothly as he entered the masculine room and shut the door firmly behind him. “I hope that you haven’t been waiting long.”
    Uncertainty in their faces, Hetty and Meg stared at him. Despite his polite words, the barely leashed rage they saw on his face made them shrink together.
    Avery smiled nastily. “And now what have I done to make you look at me that way?” he fairly purred, his blue eyes hard and ugly.
    â€œN-n-nothing,” Hetty quavered, sitting up straighter on her black leather chair. “We—we were just surprised by your peremptory demand to see us.”
    A slim blond brow flicked upward. “But why wouldn’t I want to see you? After all, we have so much to talk about . . . don’t we?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Meg asked bluntly,