Someone Irresistible Read Online Free PDF

was missing, stolen by someone who wanted to see me fail, and fail well in front of the most important scientists in England.” He drew a long breath as he dropped his head back, and closed his eyes to the ceiling. “Suddenly I had no reputation and my career was all but destroyed. I also received no funding for the museum I had been given to manage. Instead, that money went to Carter Sinclair for his study of monkeys in habitat.”
    Mimi felt the blood drain from her face. “Carter didn’t steal it, Nathan,” she admonished in deadly quiet, unable to voice anything more.
    His eyes popped open and he abruptly turned to her. “Perhaps he didn’t, Mimi,” he said, only hinting at untold bitterness. “The Carter Sinclair I knew was, in general, a smart man, but he wasn’t calculating
    in his cleverness. I don’t think he could have planned such a scheme and carried it through with the precision it had to have taken—at least, not on his own. It’s also true that he wouldn’t have known Owen would donate the money to his research instead of the museum if I’d failed to win it. We weren’t exactly competitors. Fierce rivals for personal recognition, maybe—but not competitors in the field.”
    Mimi crossed her arms over her breasts and glanced away uncomfortably, toward the open window with the clear view of Mrs.
    Lies’ red rose covered trellis. Guilt bubbled deep within her as she considered that at the time of the Palace opening she was very much hoping that Carter would be in competition with Nathan for her, Miss Mimi Marsh, Sir Harold’s daughter. She’d never told Carter, and now it hardly mattered. Nathan, of course, would never know it, either.
    “Do you suspect anyone at all?” she asked moments later, her uneasiness building.
    She heard the floorboards creak beneath his feet as he moved again around the settee toward her, but she never altered her stance.
    In a clear, direct voice, he murmured, “Yes, I suspect Sir Harold.”
    Her head flipped around as her mouth dropped open. “That’s outrageous!”
    “It’s also logical.”
    “How dare you come into my home and accuse—”
    “Think about it, Mimi,” he cut in, undaunted, stepping closer still.
    “Who else would gain? Who else knew what I had under the velvet cover, what I stood to lose? He was also the only one close enough to Owen to know that if I failed that night Owen’s money would go to Carter, the man who had just asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage.”
    “It’s impossible and unthinkable,” she fairly shouted. “Any number of individuals at the opening could have done it. What you suggest is insulting, Nathan.” Seething, she lowered her voice to add, “You also have no proof of anything or you would have accused him years ago.”
    He reached out and grasped her upper arms tightly. “Maybe,” he agreed, passionate with his purpose. “But I’ve been waiting more than two years to clear my name, Mimi. I now know of a way to do it, to discover and expose the man who disgraced me publicly. If you’re so sure it wasn’t your father, then help me. Help me if only to prove it wasn’t him.” He relaxed a little and smiled cynically. “If nothing else you should enjoy the challenge.”
    That confused her. The entire incident confused her. His inappropriate nearness had her suddenly dazed, too, with his earthy
    scent assaulting her senses and his probing eyes drawing her complete attention. Immediately, she jerked herself free of his scorching grasp and took a step back in unconscious self-protection.
    He didn’t like that, though she wasn’t sure why. His smile vanished and his demeanor darkened as his body stiffened beside her.
    Mimi looked away from him, toward the fireplace mantel, staring down at all of the silly and useless little trinkets her mother-in-law occasionally sent her to beautify what the woman felt was a less-than-elegant home. Aside from Mimi’s occasional sculpting that nobody knew she did,