Seduction in Mind Read Online Free PDF Page B

not interested, Sam," the Prince of Wales noted jovially, turning from his conversation with Lord Rothschild. "Now, there's a first, eh, my boy? And I don't blame you, Alex," he added, grinning. "Sam's not to be trusted with a pretty lady."
    "I'm well aware of that, Your Majesty. As is everyone in London."
    Wales laughed as Sam's gaze narrowed. "There, you see, your reputation has preceded you."
    "You might mention to Miss Ionides that I contribute generously to charity," Sam drawled. "Several of yours, as I recall," he remarked pointedly, one brow raised faintly at the heir to the throne.
    "Oh, ho! So it's blackmail and chastisement for my directness," the prince noted cheerfully. "Would you be placated, Alex, by a charitable nature?"
    "Charitable in a great many ways, Miss Ionides," Sam interposed smoothly.
    She knew what he meant; everyone within hearing knew what he meant, and she kept her voice temperate with effort. "I'm sure you are, Lord Ranelagh, and I commend you on your benevolence, but as I mentioned yesterday, I have a very busy life."
    "There. You see, Sam? Just as I said. Now, come," the prince declared, taking Sam by the arm, "come entertain Lillie with your racing expertise. She wishes to parlay her money into a windfall, and if anyone can help her, you can. Excuse us." Familiar with having his wishes obeyed, Wales took Sam with him, and the viscount spent the next hour helping Lillie Langtry, the prince's paramour, bet on sure winners.
    But even the Prince of Wales couldn't long prevail on Sam's good nature, and after the fourth race, which brought Lillie another generous return on her investment, Sam made his bow.
    "All good wishes on your pursuit." Lillie gazed in Alex's direction. "But as a woman of great wealth, Miss Ionides is in a position to determine her own course in life."
    "The advantage of having money," Sam replied lazily, taking note of Alex's mildly distracted air. "Although it allows a certain degree of impulsiveness as well."
    "While there are those of us with neither luxury," Lillie murmured.
    He couldn't with courtesy agree. "If Miss Ionides refuses me again," he said instead, "I'll be back to add to your winnings."
    "Sam, dear, you were more than generous with your discerning eye for winning horseflesh. And I have plenty of time to feather my nest."
    "Make sure Wales pays for your company, darling. He can afford it."
    Lillie glanced at the prince, who was in conversation with several of his cronies. "I'm doing well," she said quietly.
    "Better, at any rate." The viscount knew of the Jersey Lily's impoverished background as the daughter of a clergyman.
    "Yes, much. And thank you for all the wins today."
    "My pleasure." Sam grinned. "And now we'll see if Jorges has sufficiently bored Miss Ionides."
    "Along with all the others," Lillie added with a nod of her head at the throng of men surrounding Alex.
    "She looks weary of smiling, don't you think?"
    "She does, rather. And you feel you can alter that stoic smile?" Her query was playful.
    "Of course I can. If only the lady would overlook the burden of my reputation."
    "She plays at amour occasionally herself, it's said."
    "So why not with me?"
    Lillie's eyes sparkled. "Why not indeed, when you have so much to offer."
     
    But Sam was cautious in his approach this time, standing at the fringe of the throng for a short period, listening to the conversation, watching Alex's response, trying to gauge the extent of her boredom against the protocol of leaving before the prince. Personally, he cared little for Wales's sense of consequence, but Miss Ionides had given him the impression she proceeded with less rashness.
    He entered the conversation when Princess Louise began discussing Edgar Boehm's newest sculpture. 2 A sculptor herself as well as Boehm's lover, the princess was waxing eloquent on the portrait he'd recently completed of her mother's servant, John Brown. 3
    "Did the John Brown sculpture appear at the Academy show?" Sam asked.
    "Yes. It