Read Online Paradise Wild by Johanna Lindsey - Free Book Online Page A

in a mood to listen to reason,” Florence reminded her, though she never tired of trying. “Sneaking out in the middle of the night! One of these days you’re going to regret these little adventures, you mark my word. A lady just doesn’t do these things.”
    Corinne grinned mischievously. “Would you like to come with me to see I don’t get into trouble? I’m sure Russell won’t mind.”
    Florence actually looked shocked. Though she was only fifteen years older than Corinne, her morals were those of a much older generation.
    “I can just see me in that fancy gambling house. Why, my mother, God rest her soul, would come backto haunt me. And your mother’s probably been turning in her grave for quite a while, knowing what you’re about.”
    “Now don’t you try and make me feel guilty, because it won’t work, do you hear?” Corinne snapped. “Lord, is it a crime to put a little excitement in my life? Gambling is fun, Florence. It’s thrilling,” she tried to explain. “And it’s not as if I didn’t know what I was doing. I’ve learned how to play the games, and I’m really quite good.”
    “You know you’re doing wrong or you wouldn’t be sneaking out of the house, and by the servants’ entrance, no less. Nor would you be wearing that special cloak to disguise yourself.” She gave an indignant snort. “Cheap pauper’s wool, as if you couldn’t afford better.”
    Corinne looked at the dowdy cloak lying across the foot of her bed. “No one will recognize me in it.”
    “You’re going to disgrace this family yet, Corinne Barrows. A scandal, mind you, and one you’ll never live down, because it will be the first to touch the Barrows name.”
    “I’ll never bring scandal to this family!”
    “And just how—”
    “You didn’t let me finish,” Corinne interrupted. “Why do you think I pick clubs so far away? Because I won’t be known there. In all the time I’ve been going, I’ve seen only two people I recognized at the clubs.”
    “You see!”
    “But they won’t spread rumors about me, because they have their own secrets to hide.”
    “Your father found out, didn’t he?” Florence reminded her. “Lord knows why he didn’t put his foot down then and there. I thought for sure that would be the end of it.”
    “Well, he didn’t. I suppose he thinks I’ll outgrow it. And I will stop, just as soon as I can play in that one no-limit game I’ve been dreaming about for so long.”
    “You’re obsessed, Cori. You’ve got to stop soon. Gambling can be a disease for some. They just can’t ever quit.”
    “That won’t happen to me,” Corinne said with confidence.
    With the last pin in place, forming a severely tight coiffure, and dressed in lavender velvet with long sleeves and a high collar, Corinne was ready to go. She withdrew her money from a locked drawer, then looked about for her purse. When she couldn’t find it, she frowned. Her expensive little knife was in that purse, and she always liked to carry it with her, especially at night.
    “Have you seen the green silk purse I had with me today, Florence?”
    “No.”
    “Then I must have left it in the carriage today. I’m sure I had it when we left the cafe.”
    “You haven’t said very much about what happened today,” Florence remarked.
    “Because there was nothing to tell. I had a very boring time.”
    “Oh?”
    “Don’t ‘oh’ me,” Corinne said irritably, hearing the doubt in Florence’s voice. “Just get me another purse. I’m late enough as it is.”
    Soon, concealed to her satisfaction, Corinne tiptoed through the house as she had countless other nights, and slipped out the servants’ entrance. And there, waiting a block down the street, was faithful Russell, ready for tonight’s escapade.
     
    Smoke gathered above the room like a heavy blanket, from the many cigars, cigarettes, and pipes of the gentlemen present. The smoke could not escape the room, for the windows were tightly closed and heavily