Read Online Scoundrel for Hire (Velvet Lies, Book 1) by Adrienne deWolfe - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Adrienne deWolfe
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the lengths to which Silver was going to humbug her father. Her father, for God's sake. If Rafe's soul hadn't already been blacker than a stormy night, he would have soiled it gladly to have a father, a real father, not a Scripture-quoting Simon Legree.
"So," he said. "When would you like Lord Chumley to make his grande entrance?"
"As soon as possible. I myself shall return to Aspen tomorrow to make arrangements for your arrival. You will have a room at the Windsor Hotel, and a package of information will await you so you can research your role. If questioned beforehand, you can always plead ignorance about silver mining, since Lord Chumley is universally considered to be unaware of its advantages.
"I'm sure I do not need to tell you, Mr. Jones," she added, "your discretion in this affair is crucial to our success. I am prepared to draft a bank statement that will allow you to obtain suitable clothing and transportation befitting an English lord, as well as two weeks of food and lodging. I should think fourteen days would be sufficient time for a man of your, uh, accomplishments to complete this mission."
Rafe smiled to himself. So she wanted to get rid of him in a hurry, did she?
"I'm humbled by your confidence in me, Miss Nichols," he said, sliding oh-so-casually closer. "But seduction does involve a certain degree of delicacy. And, of course, time."
She stiffened.
"If the lady in question is even the least bit unwilling, a great deal of expense must be incurred to woo her," he continued silkily. "She must have love trinkets and flowers, hats, jewels and gloves, lavish meals and entertainments, and, of course, one cannot overlook the importance of outfitting the assignation bower itself."
Silver cleared her throat. "Yes, well, I'm sure in Celestia's case, a bower won't be—"
"One should never underestimate the power of ambience in achieving the desired effect," Rafe chided, letting his left hand drop between them. "Your father is successful, well-respected, and pleasantly aged. That makes him a worthy opponent, wouldn't you agree?"
Silver glanced warily at his fingers, hovering so innocently beside her thigh. "Yes, but—"
"And he'll be a persistent rival too, since his heart is engaged. We can't be at all certain he will quit the war in a mere two weeks' time. No, I should think he will lay siege to love's door, employing every weapon at his disposal. This battle of suitors could rage a good six months or more."
"Six months!"
"Or more," he drawled, relishing the utter outrage on her face. Moments like these made all the tedious plotting and practicing for cons worthwhile.
Of course, Octavia was going to be a problem if he had to live in a hotel room for six months. Even when Fiona wasn't sick, she didn't like to share the limelight. Over the last twenty hours, Tavy had begun to claim the lion's share of Fred's attention. Why, the old scapegrace had even talked about adding Tavy to the act, as if Rafe would ever hear of such a thing. No, Tavy was going to Aspen with him.
As for Fred and Fiona... well, guilt held only so much sway over him. He might be able to milk a few extra thousand dollars out of this con for Fiona's sake, but he'd be damned if he'd cut her or Fred in any further. The less they knew about the pot of gold he'd stumbled into, the better.
"Six months is out of the question, Mr. Jones," Silver said, interrupting his scheming thoughts. "You have exactly one."
Damn.
"My dear Miss Nichols," he protested, positioning himself close enough to belie his next words, "one month is hardly enough time for a gentleman to steal a kiss, much less—"
"In one month's time, my father will be marrying that witch and accompanying her on a wedding tour to Niagara Falls!"
Silver escaped to the center of the balcony. Rafe hid his disappointment. Only one month to milk the golden cow, eh? He'd been hoping to stretch it to nine. He supposed he'd have to find some other scam to keep him and Tavy fed through the
"So," he said. "When would you like Lord Chumley to make his grande entrance?"
"As soon as possible. I myself shall return to Aspen tomorrow to make arrangements for your arrival. You will have a room at the Windsor Hotel, and a package of information will await you so you can research your role. If questioned beforehand, you can always plead ignorance about silver mining, since Lord Chumley is universally considered to be unaware of its advantages.
"I'm sure I do not need to tell you, Mr. Jones," she added, "your discretion in this affair is crucial to our success. I am prepared to draft a bank statement that will allow you to obtain suitable clothing and transportation befitting an English lord, as well as two weeks of food and lodging. I should think fourteen days would be sufficient time for a man of your, uh, accomplishments to complete this mission."
Rafe smiled to himself. So she wanted to get rid of him in a hurry, did she?
"I'm humbled by your confidence in me, Miss Nichols," he said, sliding oh-so-casually closer. "But seduction does involve a certain degree of delicacy. And, of course, time."
She stiffened.
"If the lady in question is even the least bit unwilling, a great deal of expense must be incurred to woo her," he continued silkily. "She must have love trinkets and flowers, hats, jewels and gloves, lavish meals and entertainments, and, of course, one cannot overlook the importance of outfitting the assignation bower itself."
Silver cleared her throat. "Yes, well, I'm sure in Celestia's case, a bower won't be—"
"One should never underestimate the power of ambience in achieving the desired effect," Rafe chided, letting his left hand drop between them. "Your father is successful, well-respected, and pleasantly aged. That makes him a worthy opponent, wouldn't you agree?"
Silver glanced warily at his fingers, hovering so innocently beside her thigh. "Yes, but—"
"And he'll be a persistent rival too, since his heart is engaged. We can't be at all certain he will quit the war in a mere two weeks' time. No, I should think he will lay siege to love's door, employing every weapon at his disposal. This battle of suitors could rage a good six months or more."
"Six months!"
"Or more," he drawled, relishing the utter outrage on her face. Moments like these made all the tedious plotting and practicing for cons worthwhile.
Of course, Octavia was going to be a problem if he had to live in a hotel room for six months. Even when Fiona wasn't sick, she didn't like to share the limelight. Over the last twenty hours, Tavy had begun to claim the lion's share of Fred's attention. Why, the old scapegrace had even talked about adding Tavy to the act, as if Rafe would ever hear of such a thing. No, Tavy was going to Aspen with him.
As for Fred and Fiona... well, guilt held only so much sway over him. He might be able to milk a few extra thousand dollars out of this con for Fiona's sake, but he'd be damned if he'd cut her or Fred in any further. The less they knew about the pot of gold he'd stumbled into, the better.
"Six months is out of the question, Mr. Jones," Silver said, interrupting his scheming thoughts. "You have exactly one."
Damn.
"My dear Miss Nichols," he protested, positioning himself close enough to belie his next words, "one month is hardly enough time for a gentleman to steal a kiss, much less—"
"In one month's time, my father will be marrying that witch and accompanying her on a wedding tour to Niagara Falls!"
Silver escaped to the center of the balcony. Rafe hid his disappointment. Only one month to milk the golden cow, eh? He'd been hoping to stretch it to nine. He supposed he'd have to find some other scam to keep him and Tavy fed through the
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