Lady Varney's Risqué Business Read Free Page A

tiny rooms by smaller-minded governesses. I want a woman in my bed, a full blown beauty with brains.”
    “I see.” Did you also think me witless? A ninny?
    “Can you find one?” He peered at her with narrowed, merciless eyes.
    She felt undressed from so far across the room, but she lifted her chin and carried on in a snit. “Indeed, I can, my lord. To fit your qualifications, I have two candidates.”
    “Two. Damn me! So many!” he scoffed—and his expression implied he was surprised at her capabilities . Odd. He ought to be damn pleased. “I am delighted at your resourcefulness, Lady Varney. I wish to interview each of them, naturally. At my home in Kent.”
    “First, I shall inquire if each is interested and accepts your terms.”
    He waved a hand. “Of course. Do it within the week. I need to know quickly. My uncle is not well, and he wishes this matter of my marriage resolved before he sheds his mortal coil.”
    Kitty frowned. Had she been wrong all these years to remember Justin as kind and caring? Had she varnished him with a romantic veneer of her own making?
    He strolled closer. His magnetic allure nearly buckled her knees. But she stood taller, met him toe to toe, damn his eyes!
    “And who are these women you have chosen for me?”
    She gathered her courage. “Maribella Winter, Baroness Avon. And Susanna Curtis, Marchioness Hamill.”
    “But to be honest, there is one more. Is there not, madam?”
    “A third? No, none that I—”
    “What of the illustrious blonde beauty who travels in the best of Society? What of the widow who has a son by her deceased husband? What of the heiress who holds through her own ancestry the ancient title of Lady Downey?”
    Kitty caught her breath at the mention of her own ancient title. “She is not available.” Not rich. “Not suitable.”
    “I say she is.”
    She stared at him, tempted and hating herself for it. “She is older.” Wiser than to do this.
    “She will be presented to me at Belmont Manor.”
    She shook her head. “No.”
    “I triple my fee.”
    “Triple?” she parroted like a simpleton.
    “One sum of five thousand pounds for each candidate.”
    She could not refuse him. Not that sum. That amount would nearly free her of Henry’s gambling debts and give her enough to buy a few new frocks for next Season. The ability to hire a governess for Hank. “Justin, fifteen thousand pounds is a startling sum. But I cannot take it. Cannot ask three women to rendezvous with you. Really, how could I? I want to, but I cannot because—”
    “Kitty! Stop this!” Justin stepped toward her so quickly, she scarcely noticed that he’d moved. But his arms crushed her close. His fingers lifted her chin. His lips took hers. Once, twice. Damn him, three times. Her own arms twined around him. She whimpered and moaned into his mouth while her breasts beaded and her nether regions flooded with a wet, hot desire. She had not felt so gloriously wanton since last she stood in his embrace.
    “Oh, you’ll take it. Look at me,” he demanded. “Tell me who the third candidate is.”
    She stared up at him, the devil. He had planned it this way. Devised this scheme to torture her, punish her for how she had not fought to stay with him eleven years ago. Poor man, he believed the ton . Thought she was rich. But he’d get no wife in her, only a lover. For one day and night. One risqué affair. “The last woman is me.”

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    Would Justin be a good lover?
    Ramrod straight, Kitty pondered that as she sat in her hired carriage, her fingers fiddling with the lace at her cuffs.
    She rapped on the roof of her coach. “Hold here a moment, will you please, sir?”
    The coachman reined the four in hand to an idle.
    Her gaze, locked on the gigantic iron gate to Belmont Manor, did not stray from her destination. Nor did her mind from her quandary. To go or return home? Was that really a question? Shocked she had the boldness to have travelled alone these