Surrender To A Scoundrel Read Online Free PDF Page B

glance,” Sir Lyndon explained. “In fact it is generally agreed upon that she lacks that particular ‘spark’ that makes a woman exciting. But she does become rather more attractive once you engage her in conversation, and when you hear tell of her bank account, well, most gentlemen agree, she takes on an astonishingly pretty glow.”
    “I imagine she does,” Spence replied with a chuckle.
    Martin cut the conversation short, however, by rising from the table. “I imagine she does, too, gentlemen, and I’m looking forward to seeing that pretty glow for myself, but if you will excuse me, Sir Lyndon. At the present moment, I am in need of some information.”
    Lyndon regarded him knowingly. “Let me guess. You’re going to see the Endeavor. ”
    “Is she moored nearby?” he asked.
    “Very close. You can see her clearly from the Esplanade. She has a black hull with a blue stripe.”
    Martin gave a polite bow. “Please stay and enjoy your desserts, gentlemen, but I believe I’ll forgo the pie today.”
    He turned to leave, but Spence stood, too. “I’ll pass on the pie, too, Martin, because something tells me you won’t be examining the Endeavor from the beach.”
    Sure enough, Spence was correct on that point,because not twenty minutes later, Martin was stripping off his shirt and diving out of the launch into the cold waters of the Solent, determined to inspect for himself the submerged hull that belonged to his competition.
     
    “Bugger all, why didn’t we hear anything about her?” Martin asked Spence as they entered the Fountain Hotel and went straight to the bar for a couple of tankards of ale. “She’s a bloody racing machine, and when the wind hits those sails, she’s going to fly right past us.”
    “She’s a champion, to be sure.”
    “Did you see the cutaway forefoot?”
    “Yes.”
    “And the spoon bow?”
    “Yes.”
    “ Bugger, bugger .”
    The barkeep filled two tankards with frothy ale and set them down on the bar. Martin and Spence picked them up and retired to the table in the corner where they could talk in private.
    Martin rubbed a hand over his face. “Breckinridge is going to take that trophy.”
    “Not without a fight,” Spence replied. “We’ll give him a good run.”
    “I don’t want to give him a good run. I want my name on that cup again.”
    Spence pointed a finger. “You are the most competitive man I know.”
    Draping an arm over the back of the chair, Martin let out a sigh. “I can’t help it. It’s in my nature.”
    Spence’s eyes darkened. “ Is it? I recall a time in school when you were quite content to be dead last at everything, just as long as you had a pretty little tavern wench in your bed to keep you entertained. You were far less…” He paused. “ Intense .”
    Martin’s smile faded. He didn’t like where Spence was heading with this. “I recall that, too, but sometimes life changes. Or people change.”
    “Or sometimes life changes people? And not always for the better?” Spence eyed him with notable defiance as he raised his tankard and took a deep swig.
    Rubbing the tension from the back of his neck, Martin resolved to end this conversation before it ruined any chance he had to enjoy himself this week, because he really needed to enjoy himself. He’d been far too pensive lately, thinking about the past, and they both knew where those thoughts could take him. So he slapped his hand on the table and changed the subject. “We’re not going to lose that cup, Spence. We’ll beat Breckinridge with skill and daring.”
    Thankfully, Spence did not resist. Perhaps he recognized Martin’s desire for distraction, or maybe he simply wasn’t up to fighting Martin’s formidable resolve. “If anyone is a genius on the water, Martin, it’s you,” he said.
    Martin downed the rest of his ale, then swiped a hand over his mouth. “And while we’re planning our triumph, maybe we’ll take a look at that other trophy as well. See what all the