Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman Read Online Free PDF Page A

display.”
    She gazed up at him with an incredulous stare. “Are you serious? Why?”
    “My aim is to protect Jamie. If you’re to atone for the past . . .”
    “You know nothing of the past,” she interrupted. Fighting to control the urge to pummel him, she glared at him instead.
    He remained silent for a long, uncomfortable moment, his gaze doing battle with her steady regard. “I have it on good authority that you’ll try to paste an acceptable façade on your actions for a while, but remember the part you play will be your only access to my ward,” Lord Gladrey mocked. “No doubt your devoted mummy act will quickly disappear.”
    “You are wrong.” She moistened her lips and cleared her throat. “I love my son and intend to be with him. I don’t mind where I sleep. Even the attic will do.
    A glint appeared in his narrow-eyed stare and his scrutiny intensified. “You’re a desirable woman, passionate, full of life and longings. It must have been hard for you when Robert returned home impotent and crippled,” he sympathized. “I’d imagine a young widow has long denied needs. Needs that I might be willing to fulfill if you ask nicely. I admit I’m attracted to you.”
    Mortified, swift color scalded her neck and rose to her cheeks. He had deliberately twisted her words for which she longed to slap his sneering face.
    “You—you . . .” Forced to swallow her helpless rage, her voice sank to a choked whisper.
    He cocked his head to the side. “It’s as well you managed to swallow those words.”
    “You wretched, unprincipled cur.” She glared at him, her nails digging into her palms.
    “As bad as all that, huh?” Amusement lit his eyes before he sobered. “Well, the offer stands if you change your mind.”
    Fury swamped her and speech was almost beyond impossible as fresh tears stung the back of her eyes. She dared not look directly at him, but stared at his forehead and shot a stiff response at him. “This is ridiculous.”
    He shrugged. “It’s that or nothing. Your choice.”
    Laurel elevated her chin even higher. “I’ll be happy to depart with my son as soon as may be.”
    “I warn you. If you leave here, you’ll leave without my ward. I told you, I must make certain all is well for Jamie.”
    “Then you will never be shed of me. Do your worst,” she invited with fire in her eyes. Her entire body tightened with determination.
    “So, you accept my terms.” A wintry smile crossed his features and he inclined his head. “At your behest, so be it. One of the servant girls will be available to sit with the children when you are required to appear at family meals or any other social gathering I deem necessary.”
    He seemed determined to have his way and his tactics were as subtle as a battering ram. With a bruised spirit, she remained silent. Every time she opened her mouth the situation seemed to grow worse.
    “I shall keep you under close scrutiny, so watch yourself.”
    A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed several times before her gaze locked with his.
    “With my sister’s brood added to the mix, I dare say that dealing with a full nursery will be beyond you.”
    “Certainly not. I’ll never give up,” she promised, her lips in a grim line. “No matter the afflictions you choose to burden me with.”
    She couldn’t read his expression but his eyes gleamed. “You will meet the rest of the family at dinner tonight.”
    “I’d rather be excused.”
    “So soon? I’d have given odds you would’ve held firm a while longer—for Jamie.”
    She wouldn’t plead with this—this misbegotten cur. All she really wanted was to hold Jamie in her arms and in her exhausted state sink into slumber.
    Laurel swallowed nervously under his unwavering stare. Tilting her head to the side, she allowed a meaningless smile to touch her lips. “You shan’t cut up my peace so easily. I’ll be charmed to meet your family tonight.”
    Momentary surprise widened his eyes. “That’s