My Lady, My Spy (Secrets and Seduction Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

they climbed the steps leading to his front door, it swung open. Landon, his butler, stood at the entrance.
    A wave of relief surged through him as he entered his home, taking him by surprise. He held Josephine a bit more tightly for a moment, unaccountably pleased to have her here.
    “Good evening, sir,” Landon said, “and good evening, Lady Harrington.” His normally impassive face suddenly betrayed him as his assessing butler’s glance landed on Frederick’s bandaged hands. His eyes widened in surprise.
    “My housekeeper will be arriving shortly,” Josephine said. “She’s bringing materials to make a poultice for Frederick’s burns,. Please send her to the drawing room when she arrives.”
    “Yes, my lady,” Landon replied. “Shall I bring some ice while you wait?” At Frederick’s raised eyebrow, the butler cleared his throat. “In my experience, the cold from the ice draws out the heat from the burns. It should alleviate some of your pain.”
    Frederick gave a shrug. “Bring it.” The bundle of ice he’d held at the Russian embassy had helped. He was more than willing to try it again. With Landon’s assistance, he slid out of his coat and managed not to brush the sleeves against his burns.
    He glanced at Josephine as she shed her cloak, arching her back in the process. The scooped neckline of her gown and her lustrous pearl necklace drew his attention to her perfectly rounded breasts as they momentarily pressed toward him. The stunning sight made his mouth go dry.
    Frederick whipped around and strode toward the drawing room without waiting for Landon’s reply. He knew he was behaving rudely by walking away from Josephine so abruptly, but he needed to distance himself from her, if only briefly. She followed him as he entered the room, but she stayed far enough away for him to regain his composure.
    Ruthlessly, he turned his thoughts back to the book— back to his duty. Tonight had been a disaster. These next few hours would be crucial if he had any hope of recovering from it.
    His hands throbbed with pain as the effects of the vodka wore off. Perhaps he should take another drink— but no. He needed to keep his wits about him. Pain might slow his thinking process, but alcohol would be much worse.
    A moment later, Landon entered the room carrying a large container of ice. He spread out a small towel as he began preparing to assemble a bundle of ice, but Josephine shooed him away. “I’d prefer to do that,” she said. “Can you wait for my housekeeper and bring her here as soon as she arrives?”
    Landon gave a stiff nod and left the room. Josephine turned her attention to vigorously attacking the small block of ice with the ice pick, breaking it into smaller chunks. Watching her breasts bob with her effort had a mesmerizing effect on Frederick.
    “Here,” she said a few glorious moments later, turning toward him and handing him the bundle of ice chips. “Sit for a moment and let the ice numb some of the pain. I’ll pour you another drink.”
    “No more spirits,” he said, swallowing as he accepted the bundle. He dropped heavily onto the garnet-colored sofa. “You know, you don’t need to take care of me. Landon is quite capable of doing so.” Frederick pressed the cloth to his hand and almost sighed with relief as he felt the cold seep into his fingertips. “Although I must admit, you are a much more pleasant companion than he is. Much more attractive too.”
    She blushed and turned her back on him, busying herself with wiping away some flakes of ice that had fallen on the side table. “Thank you,” she said without turning around. “I’d begun to wonder if my presence here was more of an irritation than a balm.”
    Frederick shook his head decisively, but since her back was to him, she couldn't see him. “I doubt you could ever irritate me even if you put your mind to it,” he said. His voice sounded gruff, so he tried to even it out. “Quite the contrary. I find your presence