Meet Me at Midnight Read Online Free PDF Page B

impulsiveness, but as you…experienced, this is not the case.”
    Sin dropped unbidden into the uncomfortable gilded chair that faced the desk. At this point he’d thought to hear Vixen’s reputation defended and his own further besmirched. That wasn’t the case, and, uncharacteristically, he had to stop himself from coming to her defense. After all, for the past five years he’d been luring people into saying and doing things they’d rather not. She hadn’t had much of a chance; he hadn’t given her one. Abruptly Sinclair realized Stiveton was glaring at him again, so he assumed an intrigued expression. “And?” he prompted.
    “And so if I cannot curb her behavior, I will take steps to see that the scandal resulting from it is diverted away from my household. To be blunt, she is now your problem.”
    Sinclair blinked. “You don’t actually want her to marry… me .”
    “I told you, I do not condone this reprehensible lack of propriety, even in members of my own family. Especially in members of my own family.” Stiveton picked up a pencil. “I’ll settle ten thousand pounds on her now, and three thousand a year for another year, when she turns twenty-one and comes into her grandmother’s inheritance. I imagine now that you’re back in London, you’ll be going through your family’s fortune in no time.”
    Sin’s mind raced. Obviously he’d miscalculated.The earl didn’t seem to realize how sordid his reputation was if he actually intended the marriage. “I continue to be astounded by your generosity. Your daughter and ten thousand pounds.”
    “And all scandal gone from my house. That is what I’m paying for.”
    “Lord Stiveton, whatever you may say now, you must be aware that any bachelor peer in London would consider your daughter an acceptable bride, once I apologize. Are you certain you—”
    “Perhaps they would, but she won’t have any of them. This, she has no choice in. The wedding will take place one week from Saturday. I’ve already sent a note to Prince George. We’ll have Westminster Cathedral.”
    Apparently the earl didn’t want to risk giving either of the wedding participants time to make an escape. “The Regent will be attending then, I presume?”
    “Given the importance of the two families involved, I assure you that he will be.”
    “And your daughter is in agreement about this?” Sin asked skeptically.
    “Of course she isn’t in agreement. But she should have thought of that before she…fell into your embrace in such a public setting.”
    “I—”
    “Understand this, Althorpe.” The earl tapped the pencil on his desk. “Over the past three years I have suggested at least two dozen possible husbands to her, and I have given her ample time to ‘fall in love’ with any one of them, which was her stipulation before making a marriage. Instead of making a choice, she has gadded about London breaking hearts, ruining her own and my reputation, and swearing that she willhave nothing to do with the idea of marriage. They call her the Vixen, you know.”
    “I’d heard something about that.”
    The earl leaned forward again. “Don’t mistake me, Althorpe; I find your behavior deplorable.”
    “You’ve made your opinion quite clear.” Sinclair felt as though he’d just lost his last bishop and his queen in a chess match he hadn’t even realized he’d been playing. And now he was about to be mated—literally. He’d been badly outmaneuvered, but surprisingly, he wasn’t quite as horrified as he’d thought to be. All he had to do was concede defeat, and bedding Lady Vixen Fontaine would be his consolation prize. Beyond that—well, he’d never had much faith in tomorrows; he’d always left that to Thomas.
    “However,” Stiveton continued, “you have provided me with the opportunity to see Victoria married into an old, well-regarded family, your own black behavior notwithstanding.”
    “So glad to be of service,” Sin replied sardonically.
    “Wait