Read Online Sinful in Satin by Madeline Hunter - Free Book Online Page B

mistake. She could probably step into her mother’s place with little effort. She was a very pretty girl. Men were lining up for when her mother would launch her.”
    “You know a lot about her.”
    Edward flushed to his hairline. “Please. Everyone knew about her, including you. Alessandra teased the ton for a year, showing the girl off, entertaining offers, expecting a fortune from the first protector. When she ran off—the daughter, that is—”
    “Her name is Celia.”
    “Yes, Celia, quite right. When she ran off at the last minute, it was quite the on dit in my clubs.” Edward set down his cup. “So she has returned to town, has she? I daresay that will be the on dit soon too. Several who were interested before probably still are, even if she is no longer a girl.”
    “It is a modest house, and it does not look to me that she intends to take up her mother’s profession. From what I have seen, I think she plans to live quietly.” He lied blandly. Actually, Celia had spoken of bringing other women to live with her. She had teased him with insinuations that she would start a brothel. At least he assumed it was just teasing, to encourage him to leave. Perhaps not.
    “Give it a year, and she will probably be in silks at the theater, displaying her wares.”
    “As professions for women go, it is not a bad one if done Alessandra’s way.”
    Edward found that amusing. “I keep forgetting that you don’t have the normal sort of way of seeing things. Not even whores, it appears.”
    “As the son of a powerful man’s mistress, I am hardly going to condemn other mistresses.”
    “Of course. I did not mean to imply ...” Edward flushed again, and decided to drink more coffee.
    “Speaking of powerful men, when will you see the earl?” Edward tried to hide his chagrin, but Jonathan knew the answer as soon as the question was asked.
    “Thornridge has put me off again. He guesses the topic I intend to broach, and does not want to speak of it.”
    “He has never wanted to speak of it. That is nothing new. You must make it very clear that I am not looking for money.”
    “He will not believe it. We both know why he does not want to admit you are the last earl’s bastard. He suspects this is only the thin edge of the wedge. He does not trust you to let it end there.”
    Jonathan kept his reaction to himself, but frustrated fury boiled in him. Thornridge’s denial was inexcusable, and had never been made out of ignorance. He knew the truth, and had even executed the last earl’s intentions regarding Jonathan’s education. There had even been an allowance that Jonathan had repudiated years ago because its continuance required retreat. Thornridge remained determined to withhold the acknowledgment that would allow even an earl’s bastard an easier path in life.
    Edward had been the only member of the family to offer that acknowledgment, and even Edward’s acceptance was a private matter, presented years ago as the first step in a long game.
    The game had gotten very long indeed now.
    “Perhaps I should not bother about the thin edge of the wedge, Uncle. Maybe I should go after it all with a blunt cleaver.”
    Edward grimaced. “I am sure you want to. I do continue to investigate in your behalf, however. You may suspect I do not, but I do.”
    “I wonder if my own investigations might not be more fruitful. I have become rather expert in such things the last eight years.”
    “It would be better if you did not. If he even begins to suspect that you are looking for witnesses to your father’s intentions, he will destroy you. I will be unable to stop it.”
    “He does not have that power. No man does.”
    “You of all people know that some men do. After all, you have served as their agent on occasion.”
    Again a spike of anger, but it carried a world-weary quality. “For good cause only.” For good cause mostly, not only, unfortunately.
    “There are other men who are not so particular. Do not provoke him.