A Secret Love Read Free Page A

fraudulent schemes, and”—lifting her head, she studied him—“you’re a Cynster.”
    He almost laughed. “Why does that matter?”
    â€œBecause Cynsters like challenges.”
    He looked at her veiled face. “True,” he purred.
    Her chin rose another notch. “And because I know I can entrust the family’s secret to a Cynster.”
    He raised a brow, inviting explanation.
    She hesitated, then stated, “If you agree to help us, I must ask you to swear that you will not at any time seek to identify me or my family.” She halted, then went on, “And if you don’t agree to help, I know I can trust you not to mention this meeting, or anything you deduce from it, to anyone.”
    Gabriel raised both brows; he regarded her with veiled amusement, and a certain respect. She had a boldness rarely found in women—only that could account for this charade, well thought out, well executed. The countess had all her wits about her; she’d studied her mark and had laid her plans—her enticements—well.
    She was deliberately offering him a challenge.
    Did she imagine, he wondered, that he would focus solely on the company? Was the other challenge she was flaunting before him intentional, or . . . ?
    Did it matter?
    â€œIf I agree to help you, where do you imagine we would start?” The question was out before he’d considered—once he had, he inwardly raised his brows at the “we.”
    â€œThe company’s solicitors. Or at least the ones who drew up the note—Thurlow and Brown. Their name’s on the note.”
    â€œBut not their address.”
    â€œNo, but if they’re a legitimate firm—and they must be, don’t you think?—then they should be easy to trace. I could have done that myself, but . . .”
    â€œBut you didn’t think your agent would approve of what you have in mind once you discover the address, so you didn’t want to ask him?”
    Despite her veil, he could imagine the look she cast him, the narrowing of her eyes, the firming of her lips. She nodded, again that definite affirmation. “Precisely. I imagine some form of search will be required. I doubt a legitimate firm of solicitors will volunteer information on one of their clients.”
    Gabriel wasn’t so sure—he’d know once he located Thurlow and Brown.
    â€œWe’ll need to learn who the principals of the company are, and then learn the details of the company’s business.”
    â€œProspective business.” He shot her a look, wishing he could see through her veil. “You do realize that any investigating risks alerting the company’s principals? If the company is the sham you think it, then any hint of too close interest from anyone, particularly and especially me, will activate the call on promised funds. That’s how swindlers will react—they’ll grab what they’ve got and disappear before anyone can learn too much.”
    They’d been standing for more than half an hour in the mausoleumlike porch. The temperature was dropping as dawn approached; the chill of the mists was deepening. Gabriel was aware of it, but in his cloak he wasn’t cold. Beneath her heavy cloak the countess was tense, almost shivering.
    Lips tightening, he suppressed the urge to draw her closer and ruthlessly, relentlessly stated, “By investigating the company, you risk the note being called in and your family being made bankrupt.” If she was determined to brave the fire, she needed to understand she could get burned.
    Her head rose; her spine stiffened. “If I don’t investigate the company and prove it’s a fraud, my family will definitely be bankrupt.”
    He listened but could detect no hint of wavering, of anything less than informed but unshakable resolution. He nodded. “Very well. If you’ve made the decision to investigate the company, then