Two Shades of Seduction Read Free

to go back to her father and confess she’d failed in whatever scheme Townsend had concocted.
    “What an intriguing concept,” he murmured with irony. “Revenge on whom?”
    “My father.” Her response made him arch his eyebrows.
    “And exactly what do you have to offer me that will enable me to exact revenge on your father and sister?”
    “I’ve kept a copy of my father’s illicit financial dealings for the past five years.” Her voice was not more than a whisper as she sat rigid in front of him. “I am willing to turn those ledgers over to you for a price.”
    “An interesting proposition.” Interesting? Fuck. The woman was offering him manna from Heaven. But why? He narrowed his gaze at her. “You’re willing to betray your father?”
    “Yes…” She paused slightly. “And Eleanor.”
    “Why?”
    The harshness of his one word question made the netting covering her face stir with her accelerated breathing. The sight fascinated him for some reason. It reminded him of how fast a woman breathed when she was on the threshold of a climax during lovemaking. He almost growled his frustration for even thinking such a thought where the woman was concerned.
    “Because what my father and sister did to you was wrong.”
    Firm and resolute, her voice had a ring of truth that he struggled to discount. Slowly, he leaned back in his chair, determined not to reveal his thoughts. He didn’t respond for a moment. Instead, he rested his elbow on the armrest of his chair, his forefinger pressing into his cheek while the rest of his hand supported his head.
    “I see.” At his nonchalant response, she leaned forward.
    “Eleanor has never cared for anyone but herself, and my father has catered to her every whim.”
    “This is all quite fascinating, but you’ll forgive me for being just a tad skeptical as to your offer.” He arched an eyebrow at her.
    “Of course,” she said with an understanding nod. “But I assure you, my lord I’m most serious about this. I have information that will allow you to recoup what my father stole from you, and at the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to expose Eleanor’s lies and deceit.”
    “You’ve still not really answered the question of why. Why are you willing to betray your father and sister?”
    “Because they…” She stumbled to a halt as confusion and trepidation radiated out from her. She sprang to her feet, twisting her hands around her riding crop. “I’m sorry. I…I shouldn’t have come. Please…please forgive my intrusion.”
    Whirling about she hurried toward the study door. Curiosity getting the best of him, Quentin sprang to his feet and pursued her. He wasn’t about to let her leave without learning her real reason for coming. Her hand was on the knob when he slapped his palm against the wooden barrier, preventing her escape. She immediately took a step back and he followed. Her height amazed him. If she wasn’t wearing that damned veil, she would almost be eye-to-eye with him. Up close, the thin veil covering her face afforded him a better glimpse of her features, but his hand itched to remove the netting. He refrained from doing so. Instead, he trailed his forefinger along the edge of her jaw. The coarse netting was rough against his finger, but he was certain that it hid skin soft as silk beneath it. It aroused him, and he tried to crush the sensation. His attempts were minimal at best.
    “Surely you don’t think I can let you leave without discovering why you’re willing to betray your family.”
    “Please, my lord. It was a mistake to come here.”
    “Perhaps, but nonetheless, I’ll have an answer from you.”
    “Or what?” The sudden challenge in her voice amused him. Miss Hamilton had backbone. He liked that.
    “Hmm, what could I do to persuade you to answer?”
    His fingers touched the snowy cravat tied around her neck. With a lazy movement, he gently tugged at one of the ties. She went rigid as his forefinger slipped between her