Wicked Read Free

spies and thugs and mercenaries."
    Beau shrugged. "I'm more interested in seeing if our estates have survived French expropriation and all the revolutionary destruction. But if I hear something relevant concerning Napoleon's plans, I'll relay it home. Lord, I can smell her," Beau abruptly remarked, lifting the ruffled cuff of his shirtsleeve to his nose. "It's definitely time for a bath."
    After his son's departure, Sinjin stood at the window for a moment, gazing out over the sere winter garden sloping down to the Thames. Miss Gambetta had ambitions to catch herself a n aristocratic husband like her cousin the new Marquess of Weyhouse. And while the Coltrans might not mind welcoming an actress into their family, he was relieved to find that Beau's extended rendezvous with the young ballerina had nothing to do with love.
    ******************
    Beau's apology and explanation for missing his sister's birthday was graciously accepted by his ma m an for she was fully cognizant of the latest gossip concerning her stepson. Albington's valet had discussed the ballet dancers with his sister, who was dresser to Chelsea's mother-in-law, the Dowager Duchess of Seth. And yesterday, over tea, the Dowager Duchess had told Chelsea not only of Miss Ga m betta's liaison with Beau but of her hopes for joining the St. Jules family.
    While Chelsea's entrance into the family had been unconventional in the extreme, she was under the impression after listening to the details related by he r mother-in-law that Miss Gambetta seemed more intent on acquiring Beau's title than his love. A romantic at heart, Chelsea preferred a love match for her stepson.
    "We saved you a big piece of cake," Nell said to Beau the instant his apology was concluded. "Do you want it now or after I show you the pattern books of gowns I want at Madame La Clerque's?"
    "Let Beau eat his breakfast first," her mother suggested.
    "You missed out on the bestest ice cream," his youngest sister, Sally, said. "I bet you're sorry." At five, her priorities were decidedly different from her brother's.
    "Beau doesn't care about ice cream, Sally. He just cares about horses." Just recently ten, Jack was thoroughly enamored of horses.
    Little Sally's bottom lip began to tremble. "He does too like ice cream."
    "I really wish I had some ice cream right now," Beau kindly said, smiling at his young sister.
    "It's all gone," Nell briskly interjected. "Aren't you almost finished? Maman said I can have a purple dress."
    Sinjin's startled gaze swiftly met his wife's across the breakfast table.
    "She's using the dresses for play, Sinjin. Don't be alarmed."
    "I'm not either," Nell protested. "You'll take me out in my gowns from Madame La Clerque's won't you, Beau?"
    Beau's glance quickly slid from his father to stepmother, decorum at issue, purple more apt to be worn by courtesans than young misses. "We'll find someplace to go," he diplomatically replied.
    " Someplace fashionabl e ."
    "Perhaps the boys at the track will like it," Beau suggested.
    "Perfect!" To Nell who was a better jockey than many of the professionals, showing off her new gown to her jockey friends would be perfection.
    "Early in the morning," Sinjin murmured, his voice meant for Beau's ears alone.
    Beau nodded in acknowledgment. "Would you like to come along to the dressmaker with us, Sally?" he offered.
    "Beau!" Nell wailed. "It's my birthday present. She'll be fussy and troublesome and into everythin g — o h, all right," she mumbled, taking notice of her mother's stern expression, "she can come along. But she can't cry."
    "I won't cry," Sally brightly avowed, her blond curls bobbing as she waggled her head. "No matter what."
    "You can sit on my lap," Beau said, "and we'll both help Nell pick out some dresses."

    A decidedly outré pose for London's most disreputable rake, Madame La Clerque decided the following morning when Beau St. Jules lounged on her pink moire settee with his young sister straddling his knees. London's most