Read Online The Perfect Mistress by Betina Krahn - Free Book Online Page B

warmed to the images forming in her mind.
    "Then my mother will think me safely settled with a generous protector and leave me to find a suitable hus—"
    "Just a moment," he interrupted, scowling. "Your proposition is that I present myself as your lover… to your mother? "
    She nodded earnestly. "In return, your lordship, I could pay you. And, of course, I would also reimburse you for whatever flowers, chocolates, and love tokens might prove necessary. When I turned nineteen, I began receiving a sizable income from an inheritance left me by my great aunt Theodora. Money is no object."
    "Money?" He lay back on one elbow on the divan, staring at her. Could she be serious? She certainly seemed to be. He thought for a moment. She wanted to buy him. Never before, in all his sensual exploration and indulgence, had a female offered to buy him. The possibilities in that idea sent a tantalizing stir through his blood.
    "You propose to purchase my services as a lover, for money?"
    "Not as an actual lover. As a lover in name only," she clarified, adding,
    "And only for a few weeks."
    The notion captured his jaded fancy, insinuating itself into his highly developed sense of the absurd. In name only . The term applied to marriages, not affairs. And it was that very fact—the perfect irony of pretending to sin
    —that appealed to the social scapegrace in him. What a delicious game that could be. And how very interesting of her to propose such a thing.
    He slid his gaze over her curvaceous form and lush, intriguing mouth…
    which just now was set with concentration. Even if she was serious, the prospect of not-sinning , in close consort with this toothsome bit of muslin, was a novel and utterly delicious one. And when the novelty and charm of illicit abstinence grew tedious, as it undoubtedly would, there would be an even more stimulating prospect at hand: the leisurely erotic discovery of the curious and unpredictable creature inside Gabrielle's appealing body. There certainly would be endless opportunities… the inevitable consequence of the closeness required by such a pretense.
    Better yet… if he could manage to wring some political benefit from her bizarre proposition, then this night wouldn't be a total waste.
    "I have more money than I will ever spend," he replied. "No, if I did agree to help you, it would have to be for something far more interesting. Or important."
    "Such as?". She held her breath as a calculating look settled over him.
    "I might be willing to pose as your lover if you would be willing to see the prime minister again and report to me on it."
    She frowned. "See him again? You mean, let him 'rescue' me?"
    He laughed wryly. "If he is so inclined. Meet with him again and, afterward, tell me everything the old vaulter says and does."
    That was all? Just talk to Old William again? Eat biscuits and drink cocoa?
    The memory of William's fervent exhortations to purity and decency rose in her mind. She would have to suffer a few platitudes and improving lectures.
    And she would have to keep Rosalind's name out of—
    What was she thinking? She had to agree to anything that would get her out of the earl's clutches.
    "Agreed." She pushed to her feet, squaring her shoulders and stiffly offering him her hand to seal the agreement. He rose, fixed on the sight of her awkward gesture.
    "Agreed. But I think a bargain as unique as this should be sealed with something more befitting than a clasp of hands."
    Before she realized what he intended, he had pulled her into his arms and was lowering his mouth to hers. And for the second time that day she was being kissed against her will. Two seductions, two kidnappings, and now two kisses . Why wouldn't anyone believe that she hadn't the slightest interest in this amorous stuff?
    She tried to push away, but his hold on her tightened to match her efforts, and she relented, deciding to endure it as long as it went no further.
    Gradually her attention shifted from her own inner turmoil