A Lady Never Surrenders Read Online Free PDF Page A

reputation for trying to get beneath the skirts of every woman he meets. The duke’s father was mad, and it’s said to run in his family, which is why most women steer clear of him. And Basto is a Portuguese idiot who’s too old for you and clearly trawling for some sweet young thing to nurse him in his declining years.”
    “How can you say such things? The only one you know personally is Lord Devonmont, and you barely know even him.”
    “I don’t have to. Their reputations tell me they’re utterly unacceptable.”
    Unacceptable ? Three of the most eligible bachelors in London? Mr. Pinter was mad, not her. “Lord Devonmont is Gabe’s wife’s cousin. The duke is Gabe’s best friend, whom I’ve known since childhood, and the viscount … well…”
    “Is an oily sort, from what I hear,” he snapped.
    “No, he isn’t. He’s very pleasant to talk to.” Really, this was the most ridiculous conversation. “Who the devil do you think I should marry, anyway?”
    That seemed to take him aback. He glanced away. “I don’t know,” he muttered. “But not … That is, you shouldn’t…” He tugged at his cravat. “They’re wrong for you, that’s all.”
    She’d flustered Mr. Pinter. How astonishing! He was never flustered. It made him look vulnerable and much less … stiff. She rather liked that.
    But she’d like it even better if she understood what had provoked it. “Why do you care whom I choose, as long as you’re paid? I’m willing to pay extra to ensure that you find out everything I want to know.”
    Once more he turned into Proud Pinter. “It isn’t a matter of payment, madam. I choose my own assignments, and this one isn’t to my taste. Good day.” Turning on his heel, he headed for the door.
    Oh, dear, she hadn’t meant to run him off entirely. “So you’re reneging on your agreement with Oliver?” she called out.
    He halted.
    She pressed her point hastily. “At the very least, you owe me an investigation of my suitors’ backgrounds. If you don’t give me that , I’ll tell my brother you’ve refused to do what he hired you for.”
    When he clenched his hands into fists, a twinge of guilt assailed her. He’d been so nice about her dream earlier that she felt bad forcing his hand. But blast it—it was his job. Mr. Pinter had done it for Minerva and Gabe; he sure as the devil could do it for her.
    He faced her once more, his expression now carefully bland. “I daresay when I tell him whom you’re considering, he’ll side with me. He was not happy when your sister chose Mr. Masters.”
    “But that worked out well, which I’ll remind him of if he protests. He won’t, though—he knows how important it is that I marry.”
    Mr. Pinter searched her face so intently that it made her uncomfortable. “And what of love?” he asked in a hoarse rasp. “Do you love any of these men?”
    He had the audacity to speak of that when he knew her situation? “Gran isn’t giving me a chance to fall in love.”
    “So tell her you want more time. As long as she knows that you’re open to the idea, I’m sure she’ll—”
    “Give me a reprieve? You know better than that. She’ll say that I’ve had nearly a year already, and I frittered it away.”
    She’d be right, too. But Celia had hoped that her siblings’ devious plans would work and put an end to Gran’s diabolical ultimatum. Instead, her brothers and sister had all given in and married.
    Or rather, they’d fallen in love. It wasn’t fair. It had been easy for her beautiful sister to find a husband—she’d simply gone after the man she’d always wanted. Gabe had married his best friend’s sister, Jarret had found a wife who loved brewing as much as he, and Oliver had practically fallen into the perfect woman.
    But Celia had no old beaus waiting in the wings, no best friends with eligible brothers, and no fellow sharpshooters who fancied her. She had three men who might consider marrying her. She had to make do with