Devil Takes A Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

cold enough to cloud their breath.
    The blonde shrieked and huddled close to Dev when something swooped over their heads. Lifting the candles higher, they soon discovered the colonies of bats and house martins that had gotten in through one of the chimneys.
    In the main corridor, the flickering flames of their candelabra revealed tall columns painted like candy canes, a grimy parquet floor laid out in a dizzying zigzag design. Brightly colored, swirling murals flowed fantastically across the walls. Interior doors led to shadowed galleries and a dozen garish salons. There was even a ballroom with an elevated stand for an orchestra.
    â€œGod, it’s hideous,” Ben declared, turning to him.
    â€œDeliciously so,” Dev purred too low for Dalloway to hear. He sent his trusty valet and friend a devilish glance. “It’s perfect.” The twisted lads of the Horse and Chariot would love it. The perfect setting in which to lull their senses so he could move closer to the answers he so desperately craved.
    Ben frowned, but Dalloway kept up his lively soliloquy, ignoring the rotting floorboards, the decade’s worth of cobwebs hanging from the lightless chandelier, and the little cascades trickling down here and there where the tin roof leaked.
    Charles wiped a chilly droplet off his forehead, his lips pursed in distaste, but Dev saw that his solicitor had been right about the property agent. Dalloway was as slick as oil and cheerful as a rat atop a garbage pile as he led them through the place, extolling its supposed virtues.
    â€œThe main pavilion in which we now stand encompasses eleven thousand square feet, with extensive kitchen facilities suitable for feedin’ an army. Mind your step, miss. Here’s the stairs. Ye must see the rooms above….”
    On the upper floor, themed chambers led off the main corridor. One was made like a jungle; the Egypt Chamber had a fake palm tree sprouting up from the center of the room and walls painted with a faded trompe l’oeil of the Pyramids. Another chamber represented Caesar’s palace in ancient Rome, with faux-marble nudes in cheap white plaster and sprawling scarlet divans, lately serving as tenement housing for mice. Dev’s survey took in the tattered wall hangings and piles of bat guano.
    From the corner of his eye, he saw Dalloway creep nearer, watching him like a stray dog sizing up a ham-bone that someone had left unguarded on the table. “What do you think of ’er, sir? If this property does not suit your needs, we ’ave others ye might like to see. What exactly is it you’re after, if I may inquire?”
    Dev stroked his chin, glancing all around him. “I need…”
Home territory. An environment I can control.
After all, he would be surrounded by enemies. He turned smoothly with a smile, playing the role of dissipated rake to perfection. “A place where I can entertain my friends.”
    The blonde giggled with excitement at the prospect. Dev smiled at her, rather wishing he could remember her name. So far he had gotten by with
darling
.
    Last night was a bit of a blur, as well, but he imagined he must have enjoyed himself a great deal, by the look of her. Nevertheless, he had been astonished to wake up and find her still there, especially after he had worked her so hard. It had taken him half the night to come, not that she had seemed to mind. He couldn’t help it. He was losing all interest in these hardened professionals with their bag of tricks and their scheming eyes. Now he merely wondered if the chit ever planned on going home.
    â€œEntertaining, sir? Then this could be just the spot!” Dalloway beamed, determined to make the sale. “This is a capital establishment for private parties! As Your Lordship will ’ave noted, it’s convenient to London by a short drive over the bridge, or the guests can be ferried over the river by the watermen. There’s plenty o’ space