Love's Portrait Read Online Free PDF

he arched an eyebrow. “An intriguing wager. So if you sell this handkerchief I’m to offer up the same amount.”
    “Correct.” For the first time since their conversation began, she relaxed. She would still escape with the means to increase the orphanage finances.
    “Very well, since you’ve laid the foundation for this wager, I think it only fair that I be allowed to name my terms if I should win.”
    “Of course.” She smiled at him with a touch of self-satisfaction as she waited to hear his condition of the bet.
    “Very well. My terms regard a portrait I saw quite recently. I’ve not been able to forget the woman in the painting, and I want to see her reclined in my bed, a willing participant in a night of passion.”
    The soft edge in his voice raised the hair on the nape of her neck. The glint of triumph in his blue gaze held a hint of something else that made her struggle to swallow the trepidation beginning to squeeze her throat closed.
    “I don’t understand. What portrait are you referring to?”
    “It was an exquisite portrait, erotic almost. In fact, just looking at it made my cock spring to attention.”
    The shocking words made her gasp, but words of protest failed her. She could only stare at him with a sinking feeling of horror as he offered her a wicked smile.
    “Let me see if I can describe the woman in the portrait. She was quite beautiful. Her hips were softly curved and voluptuous. Her full mouth was parted in a seductive pout. And her breasts were full and succulent looking.”
    “Oh my God.”
    “Then there was her hair—it’s a beautiful color. Not quite red, not quite brown, even the nest of curls between her legs is the same delectable color.”
    He was describing her portrait. How had he seen it? Isaac Peebles had given his word he wouldn’t show the painting to anyone. But how else could St. Claire know about the portrait. A shudder shot through her, and she clenched her fists as she struggled to maintain a dignified composure.
    She wouldn’t go through with it. She’d return the bloody handkerchief and leave his room with at least her reputation intact. No. That was impossible. If she backed out of the bet now, he’d be insufferable.
    It would be unbearable dealing with the man when it came to her financial investment. No, she had to see it through. He might have seen the portrait, but it was in her possession. She had nothing to fear in that area. More importantly, he couldn’t win this wager. She’d make sure Catherine or Alva would bid on the silk. After all, as long as one of the ladies in the Society of Lost Angels bought the handkerchief, she’d win.
    “This woman in the portrait, do I know her?” She tilted her chin at a proud angle, hoping to convince him she didn’t have an inkling as to what picture he was describing.
    His hands grasped her arms and he pulled her against his hard body. A small squeak of surprise escaped her. Heat enveloped her and made her heart race with excitement even though she tried to slow the mad pace of its beat.
    A strong arm curved around her waist, binding her close. His mouth was so close to hers she could smell the expensive wine on his breath. For a fleeting moment, she wondered what it would be like to taste that liquor on his tongue. Shocked by the traitorous way her body was behaving, she braced her hands on his chest and tried to push away from him.
    “Surely you’re not going to deny that you have the most delicious looking mocha nipples, Julia. I haven’t been able to stop imagining what it would be like to suck on them.”
    His fingers skimmed her exposed skin at the lower edge of her bodice. The touch made her mouth go dry at the sudden longing that gripped her. What would it be like to be Morgan’s lover? Immediately, her mind careened to a halt. Sweet heaven, she needed to keep her wits about her where this man was concerned. She needed to close this wager and flee with what little dignity she still possessed.
    “I