Passionate Secrets (The Secrets Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

from the foyer interrupted his musings. He rose from his desk to find out what the devil was going on.
    “Either open the door or move aside.”
    The feminine tone puzzled him. He couldn’t envision his fiancé, Catherine, speaking in such a manner.
    “I’m sorry, miss. The viscount is not receiving.” Jeffries sounded equally determined to stop the visitor.
    “He’ll see me. Have no doubt,” the angry voice insisted.
    The door flew open to reveal a disheveled Miss Grisby. She glared at him, one hand still on the doorknob. Jeffries stood directly behind her, eyebrows raised, waiting to see if he should bodily remove her.
    Michael eyed her appearance, taking in her crooked hat to the same grey gown as the previous day to the strands of hair dangling along her flushed face. Even her spectacles sat askew. Had she run all the way here?
    “You are a scoundrel of the worst sort,” she proclaimed as she adjusted her spectacles.
    “Normally, it takes ladies much longer to realize that.” He nodded to Jeffries and the butler backed away and closed the door.
    The heated glare she sent him would’ve reduced a lesser man to ashes. “How dare you provide a letter of reference that would prevent me from obtaining the position with your cousin.”
    “Whatever are you speaking about?”
    She folded her arms over her middle, disapproval in every line of her rigid stance. “I’ve just come from my interview and things were going well.”
    “I’m pleased to hear that.”
    “Until she read your letter.”
    Puzzled, he could only frown at her. “I assure you, there was nothing in the letter that could’ve caused her to change her mind.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you. You told me when you handed it to me that you thought it would do no good.”
    He hesitated, remembering her dim aura and his certainty that she wouldn’t win the post.
    “Only because she holds little regard for me.” He latched on to the explanation with relief. At her obvious disbelief, he explained further. “I fear I teased her relentlessly when we were young. She’s never forgiven me for it.”
    When she continued to glare at him, he added, “My letter described you in the highest regard. I promise.”
    Miss Grisby seemed to deflate at his words. Her shoulders slumped as she dropped his gaze. The fiery woman before him returned to a grey mouse. Though he didn’t care to be the target of her ire, he preferred her anger to this. Surely those weren’t tears glistening in her eyes.
    Her silence made him even more uncomfortable. “I’m sorry you didn’t receive the position. Did she say why?”
    She shook her head.
    “Should I ask her?” He could see how important the post was to her and felt responsible. “Perhaps I could speak with her in person,” he found himself offering, much to his dismay.
    “No.” Miss Grisby shook her head. “Never mind. I’m just...disappointed.” She met his gaze, her chin held high. “My apologies for barging in on you. Thank you again for the letter.” She bobbed a curtsy and turned to go.
    “Do you have other...prospects?” Despite his suspicion of her, he couldn’t allow her to leave like this. Not when she was so obviously distraught. Not when memories of better days floated in the back of his mind.
    She turned back reluctantly. “Not yet. I’m certain I’ll be able to find something soon.”
    He might’ve believed her if she’d said it with more confidence. Apparently she had no additional openings to apply for as her aura showed him nothing. He could only see auras when a person had an immediate intent.
    “This position was very important to you, wasn’t it?”
    She sighed and gave a small shake of her head, making him feel as if she thought he couldn’t possibly understand what it had meant to her. “It was a promising opportunity with generous compensation.”
    Michael hesitated, considering the meager information he’d been provided along with her address. Based on the