Read Online Passion Wears Pearls by Renee Bernard - Free Book Online Page B

most people considered trifling with. Between his unusual height and serious demeanor, there were few men who had the courage to face him at all. But Josiah knew him as one of the Jaded and as their protector, and wasn’t about to let himself be pushed around by Rutherford’s growl. It was all a show when it came to his friends, and they both knew it.
    “Miss Beckett needs a safe place to stay. I’ve arranged things so that I can discreetly pay for the apartment, and if pressed, Mrs. Clay has promised to quote a ridiculously low amount to the lady.”
    “Why would you go to all this trouble?”
    “To protect Miss Beckett’s pride, of course! This way her sensibilities aren’t offended, her purse is barely touched, and I’ll have a bit of time to convince her to … help me.”
    “That’s not what I meant and—wait! Help you with what? And can you explain to me why I’m involved?”
    Josiah took a deep breath, chafing a bit at the cross-examination. “Stop looking at me as if I’d kidnapped the girl, Rutherford.”
    “Did you?” Michael growled out, crossing his arms.
    “No!” Josiah scoffed. “My God, man! What kind of idiot do you take me for?”
    “Who is she?”
    “I just met her.” He held up a hand before Michael could fire off another question. “I didn’t know her up until an hour ago, and I’d appreciate it if you’d give me the benefit of the doubt.”
    “How exactly did you meet her? Because as you well know, Mrs. Clay is not about to have some common—”
    “There is
nothing
common about Miss Beckett, so mind your manners! She was in a bit of trouble, and I couldn’t turn my back on her.
And
as it turns out, I’m indebted to the lady already or I will be if she’ll agree to …”
    “What is it that you want this Miss Beckett to do, Josiah, besides live next to me and make you sputter around like a fish out of water?”
    Josiah rolled his eyes. “I want her to pose for me—and don’t say it. I know there’s a bit more going on right now than painting, but it’s a priority for me, Rutherford. I can’t explain it, but I don’t care if the world is on fire. I need to paint and I need to paint
this girl.
”
    “Is that all you want from her?”
    “Don’t be crass! The only reason I’m telling you all of this is that I wanted someone I trusted to be able to look after her. She won’t hear of staying with me, so this was the best I could think of to keep her close.”
    Michael crossed the room to pour himself a drink. “I’m not guarding this girl. If she chooses to leave or chooses not to let you paint her, I’m not keeping her here against her will.”
    “Understood.”
    “Josiah, things could get very dangerous—for all of us—once the announcement is placed in the
Times
. Can’t you wait a while to pursue your painting? There must a dozen women who could pose to—”
    “No. I can’t wait. And there aren’t a dozen who would suit.” He pressed his fingers against his eyes in frustration, and took a deep breath. “Rutherford.” Josiah dropped his hand and tried to look his friend in the eyes. “I’m not asking you to babysit Miss Beckett. I just need you to be aware of her presence in this inn so that when you do see her, you’ll keep watch to make sure she’s safe. In other words, if you hear a scream in the middle of the night, you’re not going to ignore it. Yes?”
    “I wouldn’t ignore it whether I knew the lady or not.”
    “No, but you’ll move a little faster if I ask you to, won’t you?”
    “You never fail to surprise, Hastings. And so long as we understand that I’m not this young lady’s bodyguard, then, yes, I’ll strive to move a little faster if I suspect she’s being murdered.” Michael’s humor was dry but impossible to ignore. “Or if some blighter is trying to take advantage …”
    “You’re a true friend.” Josiah meant to clap him on the shoulder, but misjudged and ended up awkwardly patting Michael’s elbow.