Pure Temptation Read Free Page B

contact them for you.”
    “There’s no one in England. My brother and his family live in Ireland. He has three small children and a wife to support. I left home some weeks ago to find work in London and ease his burden.”
    “Is there anyone who should know about your accident?” Jack asked, skirting the issue of her obvious occupation. “An employer, perhaps?”
    “I’m an unemployed domestic servant, sir,” Moira replied.
    “Unemployed?” Spence asked. “How have you been supporting yourself?”
    “Just recently unemployed,” Moira amended. “I haven’t had time yet to look for work. I have no money, sir. I fear I can’t pay for the doctor.”
    For some reason her remark made Jack angry. “Have I asked you for money? Until you’re well, you’re my responsibility.” Deliberately, he picked up a small bottle from the night table and poured a measure into a glass. “Dr. Dudley left laudanum for your pain. Drink,” he ordered gruffly, holding the glass to her lips.
    Moira sipped gingerly, made a face at the bitter taste and refused to take more. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”
    “The soul of kindness is Black Jack,” Spence said, smothering a laugh. “You’re in good hands, my dear.”
    When Moira’s lids dropped over her incredible amber eyes, Jack pushed Spence out the door and followed him into the hall, closing the door firmly behind them.
    “Do you believe her?” Spence asked, openly skeptical.“What would a decent woman be doing out late at night? Why do you think her employer fired her? She’ll be a proper beauty once all that swelling goes down. Do you suppose she was diddling the master or his sons?”
    “I’m not about to speculate, Spence. What concerns me more is what I’m going to do with her once she recovers. Perhaps I should send her back to Ireland.”
    “Lud, she’d probably starve to death if conditions are as bad there as we’ve been led to believe. Famine, disease and crop failure have decimated the population.”
    “Confound it, Spence, must you be so damn practical? What do you suggest?”
    A mischievous gleam came into Spence’s blue eyes. He didn’t envy his friend’s predicament, but what a grand opportunity for a little devilment! Life had been bloody boring lately. Like most of his rich and idle friends, Spence loved harmless mischief. That’s why he and Black Jack were such fast friends. Both men possessed a perverse sense of humor.
    “Very well, I do have an idea, though I guarantee you won’t like it.”
    Jack’s handsome features grew wary. “Spit it out, Spence.”
    “Little Moira may be a prostitute, but she isn’t your ordinary one. She is daintily fashioned, well-spoken and not in the least coarse. Her features, even swollen as they are, are refined and almost genteel. I’ve already planted the seed that she is a distant relative of yours.” He paused for effect.
    “Continue,” Jack said, almost certain he wasn’t going to like what Spence had to say.
    “Why not pass Moira off as a lady?” Spence eagerly suggested. “Introduce her to society and find her a husband. What jolly good fun we’d have. You never did have any use for those macaroni dandies who mince about London wearing high heels and makeup. Why not introduce ‘Lady’ Moira to society and marry her off to one of those fancy puppies?”
    At first Jack looked astounded. Then he began to laugh uproariously. “Your wicked sense of humor leaves me speechless, Spence. But your idea does have merit.” He grew thoughtful, toying with the notion. “She will need substantial polishing.”
    “Remember, ’tis already established that she’s a country girl. No one will expect her to be too accomplished.”
    “Granted she is surprisingly well-spoken for a commoner, but making her into a lady will require time and energy. I’m not certain I wish to devote so much effort to the task.”
    Admittedly the notion of making a silk purse from a sow’s ear piqued Black Jack’s