Sins of a Virgin Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I can’t investigate if I’m escorting you.”
    “I’m not asking for much time. A couple hours in the morning when I drive in the park and in the evening when I appear at my chosen entertainments. The rest of the day belongs to you.”
    It sounded reasonable, but he had no desire to spend that much time in her company. “I didn’t think you lacked for escorts.”
    “Do you know Lady Golpin?”
    Gabriel shook his head at the change of topic. “Not that I remember.”
    “She owns a fantastic diamond necklace. It is enormous. She only wears it if she is accompanied by two armed footmen.”
    He took a bite of his biscuit and waited. Although he might dislike her methods, he’d begun to suspect that a calculating, logical mind worked inside that beautiful head.
    “Everyone is so impressed by the security that no one has thought to question the actual worth of the piece.”
    “And they should?”
    Madeline smiled, a mischievous grin that harkened back to girlhood pranks. “It’s paste. She’s actually only a stone’s throw from losing everything to her creditors.”
    A matching grin threatened to form on his face until it occurred to him that her smile was likely a ploy calculated to draw that reaction from him. To gain his compliance.
    “It is in my best interest to look like I have something worth protecting.”
    He stilled as another correlation to Lady Golpin occurred to him. “Lady Golpin uses this tactic to hide the truth. Are you doing the same thing?”
    Would she admit it?
    “Are you asking me if I’m a virgin?” She looked thoroughly entertained by the question. “Why do you care, Mr. Huntford?”
    Gabriel placed the biscuit on his plate. He didn’t care, yet he found himself leaning forward. “I think I should know the value of the commodity I’m protecting.”
    “Immense, of course.” She blew gently on her cup of tea.
    Tiny pinpricks covered his arms as his body reacted to the imagined sensation of that air moving over his skin. “It’s my reputation you’re hiring as well as my skills. Are you a virgin?”
    She sipped her drink and swallowed, sending a ripple down her throat. “What else could I be?”
    “Very clever or foolish. Are you truly untouched?”
    The sparkle in her eyes dimmed, and she returned her cup to the tray. “I never claimed that. If you want further assurance, you’ll have to bid on me yourself.” She rose to her feet. “Now I also must be clear that I have several rules I will insist upon. First, all information you discover will be reported to me, no matter how insignificant it might seem.”
    Gabriel nodded. He’d give her any information that might affect her auction. He would not be telling her, however, about his own private inquiry. He’d do everything she’d hired him for. If he chose to do more, that was his business. He quelled a stab of guilt. He hadn’t lured his suspects into bidding on her. With or without his involvement, they’d still be pursuing her. In fact, she was safer because of him.
    “Next, your investigation into my bidders’ private lives remains private. I won’t risk scaring potential bidders away.”
    That suited his purposes perfectly. “Anything else?”
    “One last thing. Your only payment will be monetary. Under no circumstances will I sleep with you or pleasure you in any way.” Her gaze swept over him, lingering on his lower body. “No matter the size of the bulge in your trousers. Are we agreed?”
    Resisting the urge to look down, Gabriel gave a curt nod. “I’m at your service.”

Chapter Three
    “R eady?” Madeline asked, taking her bonnet from Canterbury.
    Huntford glared at her from where he’d propped his shoulder against the door frame. The morning light pouring in behind him rendered his face difficult to read. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
    She pinned on her hat. “Feel free to continue glowering. It will quite add to your authoritative air.”
    He didn’t reply to her sally. She opened her mouth