Chills Read Online Free PDF Page B

reaction improved his mood considerably.
    “Tallying the debt accurately is only a minor matter. Deciding how you are going to make reparation is a much larger issue.” Jack took a step that placed her face in view. “Or has that pup you intended to marry acquired a fortune? You also need a plan to deal with your mother’s spending habits. She cannot continue this way without causing you significant embarrassment.”
    “I was trying not to think of that.”
    When her eyes closed, Jack allowed himself to admire the tiny woman before him without fear of offending. She was very pretty, after all, with dark hair and dark, winged brows that heightened every emotion expressed by her green gaze.
    Jack turned away as an unexpected response to her beauty stirred, giving him a problem that would be inappropriate and embarrassing if noticed. He didn’t need that kind of complication in his life. He glanced to the doorway where Parkes and a maid stood, as they had all evening. Servants made very poor chaperones. Had Pixie realized she was essentially alone with an unmarried man? Probably not. Jack suffered the blow to his ego with as much fortitude as he could bear, but there were limits to his patience. Her outburst before dinner had forced him to retreat, lest he prove he wasn’t infirm at all.
    “I suppose I will have to sell Thistlemore,” Pixie said abruptly.
    Jack winced. He had hoped to avoid this conversation. Their discussion had been headed in this direction before Pixie had disparaged his age and hinted at infirmity. She was not going to be pleased.
    Jack waved Parkes and the maid away, then set the quill aside, closed the lid on the inkpot, and methodically straightened his work. He drained his glass and turned to face her.
    “Did you hear me, my lord? We shall sell Thistlemore and use any remaining funds to lease another house. We should be able to manage with lower expenses. What do you think of that plan?”
    Pixie loved her home and he doubted she’d really thought her decision through. She would be bereft to leave Thistlemore, so it was lucky she couldn’t carry out her plan. “Then what shall you live on? You will need to draw an income.”
    “Oh, I hadn’t thought that far ahead.” She pouted, the little frown reminding him of the amusing child she had been.
    Jack touched her shoulder and squeezed. “It would have been a good plan if you still owned the property.”
    Pixie took a step away from him. “What?”
    “You don’t own Thistlemore any longer,” he told her softly, letting his eyes convey his regret.
    Pixie’s skirts snapped around her legs as she advanced on him. “I cannot believe you uttered such a malicious lie to my very face. Mama was right about you. You are beyond cruel.”
    “Thistlemore passed from the control of your family seven years ago, I’m afraid.” Jack looked her in the eyes as he spoke the truth and horror crossed her pretty features. He would kill her mother for this.
    “Who owns Thistlemore now?”
    Jack struggled to lessen the impact of his reply, but there was nothing to do but tell the truth. “I do.”
    Silence, deafening and complete, covered them until her small hand cracked across Jack’s face with surprising strength. “Why?”
    The amusing child of his memory vanished in an instant until a raging harridan stood in her place. No other woman would dare speak to him as she did. A marquess was deferred to and respected. Pixie gave him none at all.
    “Damn it, answer me.”
    Jack ignored his stinging cheek. “Your father lost it to mine through gambling years ago. When I inherited four years ago, I found the property title and management arrangements already set in place to save your family embarrassment. That is also when I learned about the guardianship and I came to Sunderland. I had not known before then.”
    “Why wasn’t I told about this?”
    Jack grasped her arms just in case she was of a mind to swing at him again. Given her shock, he