Read Online The Seduction of Lady X by Julia London - Free Book Online Page B

steadily returned his gaze, daring him to challenge that he’d been anything but steadfastly loyal in every way.
    Carey had finally looked away. “I cannot understand your desire to meddle in the affairs of the Hastings family and ruin your own life in the course of it, but if that is your desire, so be it. I will insist you find a solution quickly, whilst I am away,” he said, turning his attention to the papers before him. “And send her somewhere out of my sight. I cannot bear to look at her and she is unwelcome in my house. If you find that objectionable, keep in mind that I’d sooner banish her for good.”
    Harrison knew that Carey meant what he said. The marquis had banished his own cousin for racking up unmanageable gambling debts two years ago. He’d reduced his stipend and sent him off to Scotland with the promise that he’d remove the stipend altogether if he dared show his face in England again. “Very well,” Harrison said, and took his leave before he said something he regretted.
    He’d left Lord Carey humming a jaunty little tune.
    He’d returned to the dowager house, wondering why he’d stayed in his post as long as he had. Was it the generous salary? No—money was not everything. Was it because of the Rues of the world, who needed someone like him to look after them? Perhaps. The work? He liked what he did.
    Whatever the reason, Harrison stayed and endured the prejudices and bigotries of the marquis. Even if this Fish fellow were to be believed, he could not leave here.
    Harrison didn’t care to think of Ashwood. Of the possibility that there was a place for him to go, to belong, to be his own man. If he thought of it, he felt unsettled, a sensation he didn’t care for in the least.
    Yet he was feeling quite unsettled when he’d entered the house the Careys had graciously made his while he was in their employ. The dowager house was a manor house that was, in some ways, vastly superior to houses owned by other lords and ladies. It was far too large for one man.
    Rue was on hand that afternoon to take his wet things. “Is it raining yet?” she asked, holding his dripping coat.
    Harrison suppressed a small smile at the obvious. “It is. Where is Miss Hastings?” he asked as he started for his study.
    “She’s putting on her cloak and such. She’s to the big house.”
    “Is she,” he drawled. “Where is she now?”
    “In the drawing room, my lord.”
    “Sir,” he corrected, and proceeded to the drawing room.
    He found Miss Hastings in her cloak, fitting her hands into gloves. “Good afternoon.”
    She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “Mr. Tolly.”
    “May I inquire where you are going?”
    She suddenly whirled about to face him. “You sound like a husband, Mr. Tolly, and the vows not even said. You cannot keep me from my sister!”
    Harrison clasped his hands behind his back and lowered his head. “I have no intention of keeping you from your sister,” he said, as if speaking to a child. “I hope that over the fortnight, while the marquis is away, you may spend every possible moment with her. But he has not yet departed and you must stay here until he does. It is not open to debate.”
    “Why?” she demanded. “He cannot do anything to me. He is not my father.”
    “I beg to differ,” Harrison said. “There are few men in this land who are as powerful as your sister’s husband. If he wants to see you publicly ruined, he can do so with a word. A single word, Miss Hastings. If he wants to banish you, he will do it, and no one will challenge him. No one.”
    She winced at that. “I just want Olivia, Mr. Tolly. I want to be with my sister. You cannot imagine how difficult this is for me.”
    “Your sister desires to be with you, as well,” he assured her. “Nevertheless, you must trust me that it will be to your benefit to wait. His lordship is to London on the morrow, and when he is gone, you may come and go as you please.”
    “Thank the saints,” she