How the Scoundrel Seduces Read Online Free PDF Page A

Don’t worry, Shaw—I can see you’re impatient to be off to rehearsal. I’ll take care of her ladyship.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Mr. Shaw said, then rushed out the door.
    “I take it that Mr. Shaw isn’t as fond of his butler duties as his acting ones,” she said.
    “Precisely. A point illustrated by the fact that his real surname is Skrimshaw, but he insists upon being called by his stage name.”
    “Oh! That’s a little strange. Though I can’t say I blame him. He’s an excellent actor. He’s wasted in this position.”
    “As he is very fond of telling us, I assure you.” Mr. Bonnaud gestured to the stairs. “Shall we adjourn to the office?”
    Ralph jumped up, and Zoe said hastily, “Wait down here for me, Ralph.”
    “But milady—”
    She handed him her hat and cloak. “I’ve already met Mr. Bonnaud and his fellow investigators, and I promise they can be trusted.”
    Some of them could, though it looked as if she was stuck with the one she wasn’t sure about. Not that it mattered. She was desperate enough to settle for Mr. Bonnaud.
    Lifting her skirts, she headed for the stairs, feeling the man fall into step behind her. Only when they were past the landing and well out of Ralph’s hearing did she say in a low voice, “I prefer to wait until the head of the Duke’s Men is also present before proceeding.”
    “Do you?” he drawled. “Then let me give you a piece of advice. If you want to get on Dom’s good side, stopcalling us ‘the Duke’s Men.’ He hates when people refer to the business he built himself as if it were an extension of His Grace’s empire.”
    How odd. “One would think he’d relish his connection to a duke.”
    Mr. Bonnaud snorted. “Not everyone is as enamored of your sort as you might think, my lady.”
    The contempt in his voice irritated her, especially given her reasons for being here. “Is that why you tried to shoot me the last time we met?” It still rankled that he’d not only managed to rattle her, but had kept rattling her even after it had become clear he was no threat.
    “I didn’t try to shoot you. I only threatened to shoot you.”
    “Three times. And the first time, you waved your pistol in my face.”
    “It wasn’t loaded.”
    She paused on the stairs to glare down at him. “So you deliberately put me in fear for my life?”
    He smirked at her. “Served you right. You shouldn’t have been galloping after men who were reputedly in pursuit of a thief.”
    The heat rising in her cheeks made her scowl. She had nothing to be embarrassed about, curse it! “I had good reason.”
    He took another step up, coming far too close. “Do tell.”
    Staring into his eyes was only marginally less alarming than staring down the barrel of his pistol months ago. Good heavens, but he was tall. Even standing twosteps below her, he met her gaze easily. It did something rather startling to her insides.
    She tipped up her chin. “I’m not saying anything until your brother is here. In case you threaten to shoot me again.”
    Amusement leapt in his gaze. “I only do that when you’re interfering in matters beyond your concern.”
    “You don’t understand. I had to—”
    “Quiet,” he ordered, cocking his head to one side.
    Just as she was about to protest his arrogance, she heard sounds of conversation below.
    “Dom is here.” Mr. Bonnaud nodded toward the top of the stairs. “So unless you want him to think we’re dallying in the staircase, I suggest we continue up.”
    She blinked. “Dallying? Dallying, mind you?” She marched up the last few steps. “As if I would ever in a million years dally with you.” She wouldn’t. Really, she wouldn’t!
    His low chuckle behind her put the lie to her words. “Never say never, my lady. A vow like that is sure to come back to bite you in the arse. Which would be a shame, given that you have such a fine one.”
    Oh, Lord, he was staring at her bottom.
    How dare he stare at her bottom? Not to mention, refer