My Fair Princess Read Online Free PDF Page A

Dryden was a walking scandal just by virtue of her existence. With Griffin Steele in the mix, the gossips would be delirious with joy. It was a social powder keg in the making, waiting for a spark.
    â€œWhat did you say, Charles?” Aunt Lucy asked.
    â€œNothing, ma’am.”
    â€œThen allow me to introduce Griffin Steele. I’m quite sure you’ve deduced his relationship to Gillian.”
    â€œWith thundering clarity,” Charles said. Steele, the rotter, simply flashed him what could only be described as an evil grin.
    Aunt Lucy ignored the comment. “Griffin, allow me to introduce you to His Grace, the Duke of Leverton. Your Grace, Mr. Griffin Steele.”
    If a bow could be described as ironic, the flourishing one that Steele put on display fit the bill. Charles returned him a brief bow, fully aware that the man’s blood was bluer than his.
    Aunt Lucy stood and took Charles’s hand in a firm clasp. “Leverton is going to help us with Gillian. I can’t think of anyone better able to do so.”
    Steele gave him a slow, insolent perusal. While Charles was taller, Steele was whipcord lean with the air of someone who would just as soon cut your throat as shake your hand. Having been raised by a man who’d mastered the fine art of intimidation, Charles found Steele’s glare nothing more than annoying.
    â€œHis Grace doesn’t look too enthusiastic about the notion, if you ask me,” Griffin finally drawled.
    Charles gave him a polite smile. “Funny, I don’t recall asking.”
    Aunt Lucy’s scowl suggested they were acting like ill-behaved schoolboys.
    â€œGriffin, would you fetch Charles a brandy, and yourself as well?” she asked. “I’m sure you could both use one.”
    â€œYour guest seems quite at home,” Charles said, watching Steele stroll over to the drinks cabinet and select two glasses.
    Aunt Lucy raised a haughty brow. “I count Griffin as a member of the family. As does Gillian.”
    â€œI would assume so, since they are brother and sister,” Charles calmly replied. “But you certainly aren’t making things easier on yourself.”
    â€œBecause Gillian and I are both bastards?” Steele said, returning with the brandies. “That’s not an insurmountable obstacle. I’m living proof of that.”
    â€œIt’s much more difficult for a woman to overcome that particular impediment,” Charles said. “And since we’re speaking so frankly—”
    â€œI always speak frankly,” Steele interrupted with a cold smile. “That way my intent is perfectly clear.”
    â€œThen in the interest of being perfectly clear,” Charles said, “let me point out that your close relationship with Miss Dryden is unlikely to be of advantage to her. Rather the opposite, in fact.”
    â€œAgreed,” Aunt Lucy said. “But since there is nothing to be done about that, we must simply work around it.”
    â€œI hate to be the bearer of bad tidings,” Charles said. “But I believe it well-nigh impossible for you to achieve your goals in London. You might have more luck in one of the smaller spa towns, where standards are less exacting. Tunbridge Wells, perhaps.”
    â€œThat is not acceptable to me or to Gillian’s mother,” his aunt replied in a frosty tone.
    â€œOr to me,” Steele added.
    Charles allowed himself an exasperated sigh. “Aunt Lucy—”
    â€œCharles, please listen. If we had another choice, we would take it. But we must find my granddaughter a suitable husband, one who is strong and powerful enough to protect her. Her position in life, the type of girl she is . . .” She paused, her lips thinning into a distressed line.
    â€œYes?” Charles asked gently.
    â€œGillian is very vulnerable,” she said. “More than I like to admit, and certainly more than she will admit. For all her strength