A Beginner's Guide to Rakes Read Online Free PDF Page A

fortunate,” he said, his jaw clenched. “That sort of talk causes rumors to start.”
    “I will, as soon as you cease referring to my period of mourning as gown deep.”
    Well, she had him there. As for the scalded-dog reference, she had him there as well. That part, however, he had no wish to admit to. Not to her, or to anyone else. “Agreed,” he said aloud. “We shall cease insulting one another about our feelings or lack thereof upon the death of near relations.”
    “Good.”
    Reaching behind him, Oliver pulled open the door again. “Then good day, Diane.”
    “I’m not finished with you yet.”
    “Unless you have something to say that involves money or sex, I’m not interested.”
    “Money.”
    Finding that he would much rather have left Adam House regardless of her answer, Oliver forced himself to close the door again. “Speak.”
    “Sit down, why don’t you?”
    “Not until I know whether your conversation will make me money or cost me money.”
    A muscle in her cheek jumped. “First one, and then the other.”
    As little information as she was feeding him, she was replying. And he remained curious despite himself. Oliver released the door handle and strolled forward to sit in one of the large chairs placed opposite the desk. “I’m listening.”
    “I had a plan for my club,” she said without preamble. “Lord Blalock signed papers agreeing to lend me five thousand pounds and to lease the old Monarch Club property in his name and for my use.”
    “Blalock broke his damned neck out riding after foxes with his latest mistress.”
    “Yes, I know. I discovered that the morning after I arrived in London.”
    Oliver gazed at her. Emerald green eyes held his steadily; she knew what he was deciphering, and she wasn’t attempting to keep any information from him. Not about her finances, at any rate. “That must have been quite a shock.”
    “You have no idea.”
    “I’m to be Blalock’s replacement, then. You want me to lend you the money.”
    “A bank won’t.”
    “What about the money your late husband owed nearly everyone?”
    “I’ve either repaid it or made arrangements to do so.”
    “With what? You were, as I recall, left penniless in Vienna.”
    “Frederick signed over all his unentailed property to me.”
    Sinking back in his very comfortable leather chair, Oliver crossed his legs at the ankles. “No, he didn’t. Not before he died. You complained about having nothing the night we met. Or the morning after that, rather.”
    “I have a talent for forgery. And I had been signing most of his papers for him since our marriage, anyway.”
    “You’re not even going to attempt to fabricate a lie? I’m disappointed.”
    “Lying takes effort, and I don’t see the point.” She gestured toward the trio of bottles set on a small table beneath the room’s large window. “Do you wish something to drink?”
    “No. Go on.”
    “Very well. I sold off everything Frederick willed to me with the exception of this house, and I was able to settle most of his debts. I’m only telling you this so you’ll realize that the money you lend me will be used solely to establish my gaming club.”
    Ignoring for the moment that she’d assumed he would be amenable to giving her anything, he nodded. “Tell me about this club, then.”
    “No.”
    “No?”
    “No.” Diane shifted a little to partially pull open the desk’s top right-hand drawer.
    The thought that she likely had a pistol in there didn’t do much to cool his temper, but it did tell him quite a great deal about how importantly she viewed this conversation. “Then I’ll bid you good day, Diane.” Mentally he began counting.
    Before he’d reached five, Diane stood. “Oh, very well. You may listen. I do not want your opinion.”
    “Get on with it, then. You’re the one who called this little meeting.”
    Slowly she took her seat again. “I have learned a great deal about the power of wagering. I have also determined that the