Read Online Something Sinful by Suzanne Enoch - Free Book Online Page A

India, as though that meant he knew every ounce of her character, he had a surprise coming.
    As far as she was concerned, this was still about the silks. He’d just demonstrated how easily he could afford the price she asked, and so as of this moment she would accept no offer lower than six thousand pounds from him. Ha. And as for acquiring her …it would take far more than a kiss, a ruby, and some admittedly invigorating arguments.
    Whatever he thought, they were still opponents. He expected her to meet him in Hyde Park in the morning. She would do so, but she didn’t think he would like the conversation very much.

    “I’m afraid it’s rather overcast today, my lady,” Jenny said as she pulled open the bedchamber curtains. “It smells like rain, if I do say so myself.”
    “More rain?” Sarala stretched and climbed out from under the covers. “I thought this was summer.”
    “Oh, it is. Honestly it’s been colder than it ought this year. I imagine you won’t want to go shopping today after all.”
    “Shopping, no. But I’ve heard that Hyde Park is lovely, and I’d like to take a walk. Please put out a warm cloak for me.”
    “But you said you’d never go out when the air was cold like this, my lady.”
    “I changed my mind. Mama does keep saying I’ll have to get used to it, after all.”
    The maid smiled. “That’s the spirit, Lady Sarala.” Her face fell. “Oh, I meant Lady Sarah! I do beg your pardon, my lady. Blankman told us, and I forgot. Please don’t—”
    “No worries, Jenny.” For heaven’s sake, she had no intention of sacking anyone for not succumbing to her mother’s silliness. “For everyone’s sake, though, I suppose we’d best try to stay with Sarah.” At least in her mother’s hearing, and for her maid’s sake.
    As she descended the front stairs, her father stood in the foyer accepting his hat and gloves from the butler. “Sar…ah, I’m glad to see you this morning.”
    So she was truly on her own in the quest to keep her real name. “Good morning, Papa.” She gave him a peck on the cheek as Blankman pulled open the front door. “Have you eaten?”
    “Yes. Just on my way to Parliament. The one consistency throughout the territories of England seems to be that powerful men need to argue about things which the rest of the population figured out the answer to long ago.”
    She laughed. “Well, if they couldn’t argue, they’d probably occupy themselves with actually doing things, and that would cause all kinds of trouble.”
    “Indeed, it would.” The marquis chuckled. “By the by, I haven’t had a chance to ask about for buyers of silk. Have you?”
    “I sent out a dozen inquiries more this morning,” she returned, “and I have several parties already interested in bidding.” Well, one, anyway. “I know we can’t waste five hundred guineas stacked away in a warehouse.”
    Her father kissed her on the forehead. “Your uncle did leave us some debts. Your skills at negotiating will be greatly appreciated. I have Warrick making a few inquiries, as well.”
    She nodded, though after his performance in purchasing the silks, she didn’t have much faith left that her father’s accountant could sell them at any kind of profit. “I’m seeing a party about an offer this morning. I’ll do my best.”
    “Good. Take Warrick along, then. You know your mother doesn’t approve of your engaging in business dealings. And certainly not unattended.”
    “Yes, I know. I shall be the very soul of discretion, Papa. Don’t worry.”
    Sarala watched him out the door and into his coach. She’d managed not to agree to include Mr. Warrick, but she preferred to avoid lying, even by omission, to her father. But she certainly wasn’t going to pit the accountant against Shay Griffin. What a disaster that would be.
    No, this project was all hers from now on, and neither her mother, her altering name, nor pretty rubies would sway her from her task.
    As she and Jenny arrived