Sins of a Duke Read Online Free PDF Page B

shook with unreleased tension, but except for blasted Melbourne, she’d done Costa Habichuela proud this evening, if she did say so herself. And she’d meant to be nicer to him. If he hadn’t surprised her by not appearing in person to escort her and then by simply walking up as though he owned the world, she would have reacted differently.
    Or she thought she would have. Something about him just…sent her off-kilter. Insulting as his parting words were, perhaps it would be for the best if they simply avoided one another from now on. She certainly had enough to do without battling dastards.
    “His assistance could mean the difference between success and failure,” the rey replied on the tail of her thoughts. “And I doubt we’ll find a more worthy spouse for you anywhere in England.”
    “That may be a bit much to expect. He makes me uncomfortable.”
    He looked up from the map that covered the desk between them. “That’s good. It will keep you on your toes. Complacency never led to anything but failure.” The rey smiled. “And just remember, though our royal ascension may be recent, we are royalty. And however arrogant he may be or how uncomfortable he makes you, your blood is bluer than his.”
    “I think ice runs in his veins and not blood at all, but yes, I remember.”
    Her father nodded. “That’s all I ask. Now get some sleep. We have a very full day planned for tomorrow.”
    Rising, Josefina stepped around the table to kiss her father on the cheek. After three weeks on a ship from Jamaica, two days in a bumpy coach from Brighton, and one very long day in London, she could use some sleep. And she hoped that whatever her father had planned for tomorrow did include Melbourne. Perhaps they didn’t like one another, but she would not be the one to concede defeat. That would be for him to do.
     
    “No. I won’t pay a penny more than four shillings a sack,” Sebastian said, reaching for a paper at his elbow.
    “It’s rumored to be a very high-quality crop.” Shay made a note in the ledger book in front of him. “We paid three shillings eight last year.”
    “It’s coffee beans, Shay. Not gold dust. Four shillings. I doubt they’ll find a better price elsewhere. Let them look.”
    The middle Griffin brother nodded. “That’s all I have for now, then.” Slowly he closed the ledger. “So are we ever going to discuss last night?”
    Sebastian cleared his throat. “No, we are not. I was forced by duty to dance with a lunatic, and I did so. The end.”
    “But you were attracted to her; that was obvious.”
    “Was it?” he asked sharply.
    “To me. To the family, I mean. Caro nearly slapped Zachary, his jaw was hanging open so far. No one else noticed a thing, I’m certain.”
    “She’s pretty.” He stood, practically shoving Charlemagne out of the opposite chair and into the hallway. “And a lunatic. I find the combination at first glance intriguing, and atsecond glance horrific.”
    “All the same, Seb, it’s been a long—”
    “Stop it,” Sebastian interrupted. “I loved Charlotte. I still love her. With you and Zach and Eleanor married and procreating, and with Peep nearly eight, the Griffin bloodline is secure. That would be my only reason for pursuing anyone, and I’m grateful to all three of you for saving me from being placed in that position.”
    “Still, even if you aren’t interested in remarrying, there is still the fact that sex is fun.” Charlemagne made a face. “Not with the lunatic, I mean, but there are any number of—”
    “Have I ever given the impression that I require your advice or assistance with anything regarding women?” For God’s sake, one slap from that…female and his own family thought he’d lost his ability to reason. He could only imagine what the rest of his peers must be thinking. And that, unfortunately, could be a problem.
    “Of course not. But the thing is, you haven’t shown the slightest interest since Charlotte died.”
    “I