Lady in Demand Read Online Free PDF

chair and falling into it.
          “Yes, indeed,” his twin brother added, offering Finn a cocky salute before doing the same.
          “You will both go back out that door and up to your rooms to wash and change,” Finn said, looking at the dirt smeared on Ben’s face and Alex’s filthy hands.
          “But my clothes are immaculate, Finn,” Alex said looking offended.
          “Your hands, however, are not.”  
          “We’re famished, Finn. Have you no feelings for your poor, hungry brothers?” Ben added, looking pathetic which failed to touch his older sibling.
          “If I am to share my table with you both, you will at least be clean. Now, go and do as I say and I shall have Narrow heat tea and bring more food. It shall be awaiting you upon your return.”
          Finn kept his expression somber as they dragged their feet to the door.
          “If it was lunch he wouldn’t be so particular, Alex, but you know how he is about his morning meal.”
          “Unfeeling is what he is.” Alex glared over his shoulder.
          “I’m glad you’re home,” Finn said as they were about to leave.  
          His brothers grunted something but he missed it, and then slammed the door as they departed.  
          He had managed two full pages of the paper and a cup of tea before they returned. Alex, of course, looked his usual immaculate self. His brother had a flair and style rarely seen; however, it appeared to have escaped his twin, whose hair was standing on end and the edge of his collar was tucked inside his shirt. At least they were now both clean.
          “Now, brothers, who is going to tell me why you have returned from my hunting lodge so soon. It is still in one piece, I hope?”
          They loaded their plates and filled their cups before speaking. At twenty-two, Ben was a fair way towards developing Finn’s build, big and solid, but his eyes were brown, almost the color of Phoebe’s, and his hair was the same. Alex had his coloring but a leaner physique. Looking at them, he felt the familiar tug of protection he’d always experienced when they were near. He’d lay his life down for these two if need be.
          “We simply missed you and the excitement of London, Finn. Surely there can be no further reason required for our return,” Ben said, holding his eyes steady.  
          Ben could lie better than anyone Finn knew, and had been doing so since he was old enough to know it got him out of trouble if he wasn’t caught in the act.
          “Yes, we were simply longing to come back and enjoy the remainder of the season,” Alex said, looking at his plate. Unlike his brother, he couldn’t lie worth a damn. “And we had shot all the birds at your lodge.”
          “If I thought you believed that ridiculous statement I would send you back to school, Alexander.”
          He flushed, realizing just how foolish he had sounded, and stuttered something unintelligible while sending Ben a desperate look.  
          “Must we tell you?” Ben said, glaring at his brother.
          “Did you kill or maim anyone?”
          “No!”
          “Destroy any property?”
          “No!” they said, sounding totally affronted that Finn would even suggest such a thing.
          “Gambled every cent you owned away and then borrowed to stake another run at the tables?”
          Alex sighed loudly. “It happened four years ago, Finn, and has not happened since. We have never again stepped foot inside a gambling hell, nor would we go back on our word to you.”
          Finn saw the memory of that day in the twins’ eyes, when he had hauled Alex and Ben from that hell. It was not a moment any of them would forget.
          “Forgive me. I sometimes still see you as the small, defiant, twelve-year-old boys I found causing mayhem at my estate many years