Confessions of a Scoundrel Read Online Free PDF Page A

husband is…he’s very jealous.”
    â€œApparently with good reason.”
    James flushed. “It wasn’t like that!”
    â€œIt never is.”
    â€œThat’s unfair.”
    â€œHmm. Let me guess…she’s unhappy and lonely and her husband never pays her any heed. I daresay she told you that this was the first time she’d ever been unfaithful and you, being the quixotic, romantic fool that you are, believed her.”
    James rubbed a hand over his face. “At the time of the affair, I thought Sabrina was…well, I know now I was wrong. But I’m caught. Her husband knows something happened. If he discovers it was me, I’m doomed.”
    â€œDon’t return. Stay away from Italy until it’s all blown over.”
    â€œI can’t. I have too much at stake. I was in themiddle of a project—” He glanced at her, then managed a smile. “I stand to lose far more than five thousand pounds if I stay away more than a few weeks.”
    â€œWhat exactly does this blackmailer have over you?”
    â€œLetters. Well, not letters. Poems, really.”
    Verena’s gaze widened. “ Love poems?”
    James managed a weak smile. “I’m quite good, you know.”
    She had to chuckle at that. “I daresay you are. How did this blackmailer find the letters?”
    â€œA month ago someone broke into Sabrina’s room and stole the box where she’d been keeping the verses.”
    â€œDid they steal anything else?”
    He shook his head. “Not a blasted thing. Whomever it was had to know exactly what they were looking for.”
    â€œAre you sure they want money? It seems ludicrous they would send you here if that was their only objective.”
    James’s face creased with worry. “I know. I wondered if—but no. It has to be money. What else could they want?”
    He had a point. “I suppose that leaves us with the question of ‘how much?’ Do you think they knew you’d come here, to my house?”
    â€œSurely not. No one knows I’m your brother.”
    â€œWhat a mess.”
    â€œI know. If I don’t pay whatever they ask, this villain will turn everything over to Sabrina’s husband. There will be nowhere to hide and all my work—” He placed his elbow on the table andrested his forehead in his hand. “Everything will be ruined. I’ll be humiliated.”
    â€œBeing humiliated is the least of your worries if this man is as dangerous as you think he is.”
    â€œHe’s killed three men for doing far less than what I have. The problem is that all of my capital is invested. Ver, if they ask for money, I’m sunk. Everything I have is tied up.”
    â€œHow long before they contact you?”
    â€œIt should be any day now.” He swallowed a little convulsively. “What will we do?”
    â€œThe right thing,” she said with a bravado she was far from feeling. “Perhaps, if I’m very, very lucky, I can find a wealthy suitor who will marry me and hand over a large sum as a wedding gift.”
    She’d been joking, trying to lighten the moment, but he immediately brightened. “Perfect! Are there any wealthy men hanging about? One you could finagle into an engagement?”
    Verena had to laugh. “James! I have no desire to sell my freedom for a few guineas. Not even for you.”
    He tried to hide his disappointment. “Oh. Of course not. Although…you wouldn’t have to actually marry anyone, you know. Just tempt and tease. Get him excited, then tell him you need some money for a modiste’s bill or some such nonsense and—”
    At her lifted brows, he managed a weak grin. “I know, I know. I’m just teasing. Father always said it would take a Greek god before you married again.”
    That was sadly true. Though she had quite a few admirers, none were acceptable. Not evenhandsome, urbane Chase St.