Read Online Seducing the Viscount by Alexandra Ivy - Free Book Online Page A

are hardly fit for virginal ears.”
    â€œNow you sound like my father.”
    â€œNo doubt a wise man.”
    She folded her arms over her chest and regarded him with a challenging tilt of her chin.
    â€œPerhaps, but if I am never to experience the wicked pleasures of London, then I should at least be allowed to know what I am missing. It is not really so much to ask, is it?”
    His lips twitched, although he was careful to keep his expression bland.
    â€œVery well, although I feel compelled to warn you that you will no doubt be disappointed.”
    â€œI think I should be allowed to decide for myself.”
    â€œAs you wish.” He shrugged. “My night of debauchery usually begins with a simple dinner with friends.”
    â€œAt your club?”
    â€œGod, no.” His crack of laughter echoed through the humid thickness of the air. “Bastards, no matter how wealthy, are not invited to join Gentlemen’s Clubs.”
    Her cheeks flooded with color. It was difficult to recall this man was a bastard. Not when he marched through the world as if he were lord and master.
    â€œOh.”
    His expression softened, as if he regretted causing her sharp distress.
    â€œNo matter.” His charming smile returned. “There are any number of pubs and coffee shops that serve a decent meal, most of them a great deal tastier than the boiled beefsteak to be found in the clubs.”
    Mercy returned his smile although she was not fooled for a moment. He was not entirely indifferent to the knowledge he was unwelcome among the exclusive clubs.
    â€œThen what?”
    â€œThen I make the difficult decision of which gambling establishment I shall honor with my rather illustrious presence.”
    â€œYou gamble every night?”
    â€œMost nights.” He caught and held her gaze, as if attempting to convince her of the blackness staining his soul. “It is, after all, how I make my living. We are not all blessed with large allowances that allow us to flutter through society without concern. There are some of us who must earn our keep by whatever means necessary, even if that means fleecing the gullible.”
    She refused to be shocked. “I cannot imagine you ever fluttering. However, your aunt has spoken of several society events that you have attended, so you cannot spend all of your time at the tables.”
    He dismissed his rabid popularity among the London socialites with a wave of his slender hand.
    â€œThere have been a few hostesses who have been kind enough to send me invitations.”
    â€œMore than a few, I think.” She absently reached to brush her fingers over the petals of a creamy orchid. “Do you enjoy such parties?”
    â€œThey offer their share of entertainment.”
    â€œDancing?”
    â€œSeducing.”
    â€œOh.”
    He regarded her from beneath hooded lids. “You did wish to know.”
    â€œYes. Yes, I did.” She licked her lips, hoping that Ian presumed the heat staining her cheeks was one of shock rather than arousal. Gads, but it was easy to imagine him prowling through the crowded ballrooms, his golden eyes smoldering with a predatory fire as he searched for the woman who could soothe his restless hunger. “What sort of ladies do you prefer?”
    â€œGood God.” His eyes widened, and a startled laugh was wrenched from his throat. “I fear I must draw the line at actually discussing my peccadilloes.”
    â€œBecause I am a virgin?”
    â€œBecause I possess at least enough gentlemanly traits never to bandy about my trysts with a lady. Such matters are private.”
    â€œHow very noble of you.”
    â€œNot bloody likely,” he muttered. “I can assure you that I do not have the remotest trace of nobility, despite my father’s blue blood.”
    â€œI think in some ways you are a fraud, Ian Breckford,” she said softly.
    His expression abruptly hardened, as if she had touched an