His By Christmas (Hamilton Sisters) Read Online Free PDF Page A

not his little sister.
    “I don’t think you could do it, old chap.”
    “You don’t think I could do what?” Jeffrey turned back to his cousin, startled out of his errant thoughts. He’d almost forgotten about him.
    James wrinkled his wide nose in derision. “I don’t think you could get Yvette Hamilton to marry the likes of you.”
    Keeping his eyes on Yvette, Jeffrey watched her walk out to the terrace on Lord Shelley’s arm and his gut tightened in reflex. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Yes, I do and I bet you couldn’t do it.”
    “Is that a challenge?” Jeffrey asked, staring at James. Their conversation had taken a surprising turn.
    “Yes. A challenge.” James crossed his arms in defiance. “Let’s wager on it.”
    “Wager on what?” Jeffrey questioned incredulously.
    His eyes glinting, James made a proposition. “Let’s bet to see if you could win Miss Hamilton over the future Duke of Lansdowne or not.”
    “You’ve lost your damned mind, James.” Jeffrey shook his dark head with determination. “I would never bet on Yvette Hamilton that way.”
    Once again, James arched a knowing brow, his expression quite superior. “It’s because you know you would lose to Lord Shelley’s title, isn’t it?”
    He laughed at his cousin. “No. I could easily make Yvette mine, if I wanted to. And I don’t have to place a wager with you to prove it.”
    “Coward.”
    Jeffrey bristled at that. “What did you call me?”
    “You heard me, Cousin.” James snickered with delight. “You know I’m right and you would lose out to the heir to a dukedom. The title of duke always trumps good looks.”
    “You’ve no idea what you’re talking about, James.” Jeffrey itched to deck the shorter man. He gritted his teeth in annoyance. “You barely know Yvette Hamilton.”
    “I don’t need to know her. She’s like all women and they all want the same thing. But I do know you’re afraid of losing.”
    “Is that truly what you believe?”
    “Yes, it is. That girl wants nothing more than to be a duchess and not even your charm and good looks are worth more than that. You know it as well as I do. It’s as plain as the ugly nose on my face.” James smiled in satisfaction.
    Jeffrey considered Yvette’s motives. Surely that wasn’t all that inspired her pursuit of Lord Shelley? Could she be so mercenary and cold? No, not his sweet little Yvette. He refused to think of her that way. His cousin was wrong, certainly. And Jeffrey would prove him so.
    There had never been a woman Jeffrey couldn’t get if he wanted her. No woman had ever turned him down. Yvette, a sweet little romantic, would be no match for his skills of seduction.
    He paused in thought. There could be some merit to a wager with James after all.
    If Jeffrey made an effort to win Yvette’s affections, he would be able to accomplish two goals. For if Yvette truly loved Lord Shelley then she wouldn’t be swayed by Jeffrey’s charm, and then he could give her his blessing to marry the man and they would have his best wishes for every happiness together. But if Yvette was only seeking the title of duchess, Jeffrey would be stopping her from a loveless marriage. And doing so would also provide him with a way to keep his eye on her while Lucien and Colette were away.
    It was not a bad plan, at that.
    There was one risk though. A mighty risk. At the end of it all, Yvette could wind up hating him for what he’d done. But that was a risk Jeffrey was willing to take to save her from making the most irrevocable mistake any woman could make in her lifetime. Marrying the wrong man.
    It was his duty to protect her. He had promised Lucien to keep her away from certain types of men and to prevent her from making foolish choices. And if wooing her away from the wrong man, Lord Shelley, would be the best way to do that, then by God he would do it.
    Jeffrey looked his short cousin in the eye. “I accept your wager.”
    “You . . . you