In Bed With the Devil Read Online Free PDF Page A

the one thing of which I have absolutely no need.”
    She’d feared that would be the case, leaving her in a weak bargaining position. What could she offer him? She’d heard enough rumors to know he wasn’t a man who did anything as a result of having a charitable heart. “What are you in need of then, my lord?”
    â€œFrom you—nothing.”
    â€œSurely you are in need of something that your present circumstance can’t provide.”
    He stood. “Nothing that would cause me to kill a man simply because you wish him dead. You’ve wasted your time by coming here. Please see yourself out.”
    Dismissing her, he walked back to the cornerand began refilling his glass. She wouldn’t beg, but neither would she give up quite so easily. She rose to her feet. “Is there nothing you want so desperately that you’d be willing to do anything in order to acquire it?”
    â€œIf you want him dead that badly, kill him yourself.”
    â€œI fear I’ll botch it. I suspect it takes a certain type of individual to complete the act when the reality of it comes rushing home.”
    â€œA man like me perhaps? A coldhearted bastard?”
    â€œDid you—did you kill him? Did you kill your uncle?” She couldn’t believe she’d asked the impudent question. The words had rushed out before she’d had a chance to stop them.
    He downed the amber liquid and poured more into his glass. “What answer would satisfy you, Lady Catherine?”
    â€œAn honest one.”
    Turning slightly, he met her gaze. “No, I did not kill my uncle.”
    And in spite of his answer, which his unwavering gaze revealed to be the absolute truth, the fine hairs on the nape of her neck prickled, and she no longer had any wish to linger in his presence. She’d been a fool to come here, but then desperation often created fools.
    â€œI’m sorry to have bothered you, my lord.”
    â€œNo bother, Lady Catherine. The kiss was well worth the intrusion on my evening.”
    She angled her chin haughtily. “A pity I cannot claim the same.”
    His dark laughter followed her out of the library,and she had little doubt that the sound of it would filter into her dreams, along with the memory of his lips pressed against hers. Visiting the devil had been a mistake, and she could only pray that her actions wouldn’t return to haunt her.
    Â 
    Damn her. Damn her. Damn her.
    Lounging in the stuffed, brocade armchair, Luke drained the last of the whiskey from the bottle, before hurling it against the wall. Breathing heavily, he dropped his head back. The room was swirling around him, the darkness closing in. It was the third bottle he’d finished. One more should do it. One more should numb him to the gruesome images of innocence lost that were bombarding him. One more should shove them back into the darkest corners of his mind. One more should swallow the remorse, the guilt, the regret.
    While others had prayed to God, he’d given his soul to the devil to find the strength to do what needed to be done. And now a stupid chit was asking him to do it again.
    Damn her!
    She’d sent him invitations to her silly balls as though they were important, as though an evening spent in her company was well worth his time. What did she know of torment? What did she know of hell? Doing her bidding would only serve to drag her down into it, and once there, she’d find no escape. He knew that truth well enough.
    Reaching down, he grabbed another bottle from the little army he’d lined up on the floor beside hischair. He’d had too many nights like this one not to know where to turn for comfort when a woman wasn’t near.
    Damn, he should have brought one of Jack’s girls home. Not even Frannie would be able to offer him solace. He’d never be able to take her with the desperation that clawed at him now. What he needed was a woman strong enough to meet his