Strictly Forbidden Read Online Free PDF

beauty.
    “I heard a bit more than I wanted, yes.”
    But it was more than enough to keep him awake last night, spinning fantasies of Kira
     Melbourne naked, nipples swollen, cheeks flushed with arousal, legs splayed wide,
     writhing in his bed. As he had done more than once last night, he ruthlessly shoved
     the thought away.
    “But you wanted to hear some of the gossip?” She sent him a measuring glance. “It
     rather looks like you sought out Lord Vance for his…conversation. Why else would you
     suddenly frequent his regular club, which seems a mere step up from a common ale house?”
    He should have been prepared for the question, but did not have a credible answer.
    “A whim.” He shrugged.
    Cordelia regarded him with a dubious stare before she turned her face to the crowd
     again, wearing a half smile. “You never indulge in whims. Since you have no mistress at the moment, am I
     to assume you’re hungry for some lurid tales?”
    Gavin barely held in his sigh. Cordelia could be frightfully direct—and very cheeky.
     When no one could overhear, she enjoyed poking fun at his proper deportment. Thankfully,
     the approach of his cousin Lady Madeline and her husband, Mr. Brock Taylor, Gavin’s
     partner in the T & S railroad, saved him from responding to Cordelia’s outrageous
     question.
    “Cousin Gavin, hello.” Maddie smiled, auburn hair gleaming in the candlelight. She
     turned to Cordelia. “Lady Litchfield, good to see you, as always.”
    “Lady Madeline,” Cordelia returned.
    She cast her cool gaze to Brock. Gavin watched as she contemplated the former servant
     turned wealthy businessman. Though she did like Brock, Cordelia had confessed, Gavin
     knew she enjoyed her social power. Perfectly dressed in evening black and well composed
     as always, Brock waited with a knowing smile. She would recognize him; these days
     she always did , but when she wished to do so.
    “And Mr. Taylor.” Cordelia held out her gloved hand. Brock took her fingers and bowed
     over them, all politeness. “How is my investment?”
    “Splendid, my lady.” Brock turned to Gavin, clearly ready to discuss business. “I’ve
     good news to give all the investors we invited here tonight. We’re set to open on
     May thirtieth, nearly seven weeks ahead of schedule, not to mention eight thousand
     pounds under budget. Consider this gathering an official celebration!”
    Gavin had known Brock was brilliant in business but even this exceeded his expectations.
     “Everything is in place?”
    “All but a few finishing touches. Maddie and I will be visiting each of the hotels
     along the route to make sure they are up to standard.” He turned to Cordelia. “Naturally,
     we would like your good opinion, as well.”
    Likely Brock wanted Cordelia so entranced by the establishments that she would tell
     all of the ton . Gavin smiled at his partner’s clever tactic.
    Inside, Cordelia was undoubtedly pleased, but she merely answered with a gracious
     incline of her head. “As an investor, I shall happily do so.”
    “I will have my man of business send you the details.”
    Brock then turned to Gavin. “If you will excuse us, ladies. We have a bit more business
     to discuss.”
    “Seek your entertainments and we will join you soon,” Gavin added, assuming Brock,
     in the usual fashion, wished to speak more about their joint venture, his labor of
     love.
    Cordelia glanced at Gavin, a pale brow raised in challenge. “Perhaps I shall dance
     with Lord Toth in your absence.”
    Lord Toth had been chasing Cordelia since the day she ceased officially mourning her
     husband two years past. Titled and eligible, Toth made no secret of the fact he wanted
     to marry Cordelia. And Gavin knew she enjoyed taunting him with the fact. It should
     have bothered him, he supposed.
    “In the event he should persuade you to run to Gretna with him tonight, I offer my
     congratulations now,” he teased.
    Cordelia’s mouth compressed into a thin