Too Wicked to Love Read Free

with us. What are your plans while we’re gone? Are you going to visit family?”
    “No.” John’s heart clenched as he said it, and he turned to peruse the admiral’s globe so his expression would not betray him.
    “You have no plans at all? London is a fascinating city.”
    “I know.” John gave the globe a spin. “I spent much of my youth here.”
    “Was that before or after you eloped to Scotland?”
    “Both.” The edge to the word spoke volumes.
    “I’m sorry, John. I have marriage on my mind, I suppose. I know your past is not something you tend to discuss.”
    “Correct.”
    “So let’s talk about my past then.”
    John looked over at him. “Raventhorpe?”
    “Raventhorpe,” Samuel confirmed.
    John turned to face him, frowning. “Has our mutual enemy resurfaced already? I thought he was in France, waiting out the scandal from trying to abscond with your ex-fiancée.”
    “He is, as far as I know. But this is the bastard who left me for dead on a deserted island, then tried to steal Annabelle away from me. And that’s only a short list of his numerous offenses.”
    “I do not know how that snake always manages to slither away,” John said. “The people he has killed, the women he has sold into sexual slavery . . . How does he keep escaping punishment for his crimes?”
    “The devil watches after his own,” Samuel said.
    “Apparently so. At least Miss Bailey was smart enough to jilt the blackguard.”
    “And that’s the problem. Annabelle did jilt Raventhorpe, and he won’t forget that. But she also freed me from my betrothal to her so I could marry Cilla, something I can’t forget. She allowed me my heart’s desire, John, at personal sacrifice to herself.”
    “A noble act,” John agreed. “But you are correct. Raventhorpe will not allow her rejection of him and the ensuing scandal to go unpunished.”
    “That was my thought, as well. I think he might see my absence as an opportunity to strike back at her. He’ll think she is unprotected.”
    “Agreed.”
    “Which is why I need you to watch over her until I get back. He doesn’t know about you.”
    “True.”
    “And you did such a good job of staying out of sight—posing as my coachman, for God’s sake—that he has no idea you’re back in England.”
    “I did not pose. I was your coachman.”
    “As if anyone with eyes could not tell that you were born to be more.”
    “Leave it be, Samuel.”
    “Leave it?” Samuel stood. “Even though you never confided in me, I know you are more than the humble man you seem. Something happened that made you flee England, and you only came back here to help me stop Annabelle from marrying Raventhorpe.”
    “The past is done and gone, Samuel. Let us move forward into the future.”
    “Look, I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, and I want to respect your desire to stay in the shadows, but bloody hell, John, you wouldn’t even stand up for me at my wedding!”
    “Virgil Bailey did a good enough job of it.” Seeing Samuel’s impatience, John shook his head. They had been over this before. “It would have been my honor to stand up with you, Samuel, but it is better if no one notices me, especially those in positions of authority. And the front of a crowded church is hardly the best place to stay out of sight.”
    “I know that, blast you! But—”
    “Look, you asked me to guard Miss Bailey while you’re gone. Consider it done.”
    “I . . . oh. Well. Excellent then.” Samuel nodded and let the other matter drop, though not permanently if the stubborn set of his jaw was any indication. “I know I’m asking a lot, John. I wish I could think of another way.” He paused. “I could hire a security detail, I suppose—”
    “Except that Miss Bailey is an heiress. You need someone you can trust.”
    “Exactly. I trust you, John. Not only do you have a fortune of your own, but I don’t think Annabelle appeals to you that way.”
    “God, no. She’s a pretty