Read Online Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas - Free Book Online

“The title is An Unfinished Lady . I’ve just acquired it. Not a bad bit of work, although some judicious editing is required before it is ready for publication.”
    â€œYou couldn’t have it!” she exclaimed, choking back a flurry of scornful words as her sharp tone attracted much interest from Talbot’s guests. “I sold it to Mr. Grover Steadman, years ago, for ten pounds. As soon as the money changed hands, he lost interest in the thing and locked it in a drawer, for all I know.”
    â€œYes, well, I recently bought the novel and all the rights to it. A pretty penny Steadman charged, too. Your stock has gone up since your last novel sold so handsomely.”
    â€œHe wouldn’t dare sell it to you,” she said heatedly.
    â€œI’m afraid he did.” Jack drew closer and added in a confidential murmur, “In fact, that was the reason I came to call on you.” He was standing so close to her that he detected the faint fragrance of lemons in her hair. He sensed rather than felt the stiffness of her body. Was she remembering the blistering heat of their lovemaking? He had suffered for hours afterward, his loins aching viciously, his hands itching for the feel of her soft, silken flesh. It had not been easy to leave her that night. Yet he hadn’t been able to take her innocence under false pretenses.
    Someday he would be back in her arms, with no deception between them. And the next time, no power in Heaven or hell would be enough to stop him.
    Her voice sounded unsteady as she snapped out a question. “How was it that you came to call at the exact time I was expecting my, er…other guest?”
    â€œI seem to have been willfully misled by our mutual friend, Mrs. Bradshaw.”
    â€œHow is it that you are acquainted with her?” Amanda’s silvery eyes narrowed in accusation. “Are you one of her customers?”
    â€œNo, peaches,” Jack murmured. “Unlike you, I’ve never solicited the services of a professional paramour.” An irresistible grin tugged at his mouth as he saw her face turn scarlet. Oh, how he enjoyed rattling her composure! Rather than prolong her discomfort, however, he continued in a soft tone. “I’m acquainted with Mrs. Bradshaw because I’ve just published her first book, The Sins of Madam B .”
    â€œI suppose it’s filthy stuff,” Amanda muttered.
    â€œOh, yes,” he said cheerfully. “A threat to morality and decency everywhere. Not to mention my best seller yet.”
    â€œI’m hardly surprised that you exhibit pride rather than shame at that fact.”
    He raised his brows at her prudish tone. “I’m certainly not ashamed at having the good fortune to acquire and publish a work that the public obviously likes.”
    â€œThe public doesn’t always know what is good for it.”
    He smiled lazily. “And I suppose your books are appropriate for the public diet?”
    Amanda flushed, clearly embarrassed and incensed. “You can’t put my work on the same level as the vulgar memoir of a notorious madam!”
    â€œOf course I can’t,” he said at once, relenting. “Obviously Mrs. Bradshaw is no writer…reading her memoirs is like listening to a few hours of below-stairs gossip. You, on the other hand, have a talent that I sincerely admire.”
    Amanda’s expressive face clearly registered her conflicting emotions. Like most writers, who shared the universal need for praise, she took reluctant pleasure in the compliment. However, she could not allow herself to believe he was sincere, and she threw him a glance of ironic suspicion. “Your flattery is unnecessary and wholly ineffective,” she informed him. “Spare yourself the effort, please, and go on with the explanation.”
    Jack continued obligingly. “During a recent conversation with Mrs. Bradshaw, I mentioned my acquisition of Unfinished Lady and