Gilded Lily Read Online Free PDF Page A

she knew, and he’d been greeted by a few others in the room in passing, men he appeared to know from school days—but Freddie suspected he was something else as well. Not one of her father’s legitimate business associates, as they’d claimed, but somebody from that
other
line of work. The one she was desperate to learn more about.
    â€œHow do you know my father, again?” she finally asked, deciding that the straightforward approach was the best counter to subterfuge. The suspiciously bland man had a ready answer, however, and gave no sign of lying.
    â€œThrough Baron Hardison in the Dominions. My people are there for the most part, but as I went to school in England and have some connections here, Lord Hardison thought I’d make a good business liaison between him and your father. They’ve dealt together on a number of projects.”
    â€œIt surprises me that Your Lordship would take such an interest in trade.”
    â€œMy father is the Lordship. I have not yet inherited the title, so you may address me as simply ‘my lord.’”
    She glanced at his face and saw the tail end of a smirk as it vanished and was replaced with an expression of smooth courtesy. Just because she could—and because she wanted to misdirect at least a little of her anger at her father toward this convenient stranger—Freddie dropped into the rough accent of her tinker role. “You’re taking the mickey out o’ me, my lord.”
    That got his attention for a moment, earning her a startled blink. “A bit, yes. You were doing it first, though, calling me Lordship. You know I’m no one in particular.”
    â€œNo one in particular. I’ll try to remember that. Although as you’re not very memorable, perhaps I’ll forget you altogether once you’re gone.”
    Lord Smith-Grenville almost smiled. It was there in the corners of his eyes, at the edges of his mouth, followed by tension across his fine brow as he formulated a careful response. “Ah, but I won’t be gone. I’m quite smitten with you, Miss Murcheson. And as I’ve your father’s tacit approval to court you, you won’t be rid of me so easily. It will take far more than a few backhanded jabs to dislodge me now.”
    He hadn’t been convincing
at all
. Freddie stifled a groan, foreseeing a very long Season indeed. She would have to find some subtle means of revenge against her father for saddling her with this pudding-man. For saddling her with this series of watchmen. For putting these unnecessary obstacles in the way of the unconventional life she’d rather be living. “You’re smitten? You don’t even know me, sir.”
    â€œAnd if I did come to know you?” He turned his shoulders, ignoring the dancers and facing her more directly, placing one hand over his heart in a horrifyingly trite way. “Imagine how enchanted I’d be then, Miss Murcheson. You’d have me in your thrall.”
    â€œDisappointing. Very disappointing, my lord. You’re trying far too hard.” Somebody should have taught him that the ability to fake earnestness was the one critical skill for those who sought to be underhanded. Freddie felt exhausted, deep in her soul, and something like defeated.
This
was what she warranted? She was out of patience for playing her father’s game against yet another unworthy pawn. She’d had enough. “I’ve heard that speech or something like it so many times before. And I’ve heard it better, frankly. Tell me straight, has my father tasked you with me? You wouldn’t be the first. He always thinks I don’t know when he sets employees to watch me, but I always do.”
    He cocked his head, appraising her seriously for the first time. “You shouldn’t know about that.”
    â€œBut aren’t you one of his spies?” There. She’d said it. Let the cards fall where they might.
    The young