Tempt the Devil Read Online Free PDF

new mistress would find it of no interest. Now he wasn’t so sure.
    She raised her head and the wariness returned. The regret he felt surprised him. For a moment he’d felt real connection. Not the connection of sexual attraction. That never waned. But briefly the ghost of a different bond had hovered, one that in other circumstances could blossom into friendship. Should friendship be possible between two such well-armored creatures as they.
    â€œYou’ve found a house already?” She didn’t sound pleased.
    â€œSomething became available.” He didn’t tell her he’d had an army combing London for a suitable residence nor that the hunt had started when he arrived home from seeing her the first time.
    The place he’d rented was perfect. Small, luxurious, private, and close enough to Erith House for him to maintain a double life without flaunting his affair before his family. After leading a bachelor’s life for so long, he wasn’t used to practicing discretion. Alluring as she undoubtedly was, Olivia Raines offered merely a diversion. His real purpose in London was to reconcile with his children, and he could do nothing to risk that.
    He wondered if he’d been prudent in his choice of chère amie. The news that he’d become Olivia Raines’s protector was already the talk of London. Over port after dinner at Erith House, he’d responded to his cronies’ envious comments while avoiding Carrington’s reproachful glower. How long before the story reached more respectable ears?
    Too late to change his mind. Even if he could summon the will to break free of the jade’s damnable allure. He spoke into the silence. “I hope you’ll move there tomorrow.”
    Given a choice, he’d sweep her away now, ensconce her in the pretty little house and exorcize her inconvenient fascination over him. But his men worked all night on minor alterations and the place wouldn’t be ready until morning.
    She looked startled. “Tomorrow?”
    â€œYou have some objection?”
    â€œI hadn’t expected such dispatch.”
    She spoke with the smooth cadences and ironical inflections of a Cambridge graduate. Had she risen from the streets? If she had, she’d done an extraordinary job teaching herself the ton’s manners.
    He shrugged, striving for an appearance of detachment that was far from reality. “I’m a man who makes his mind up quickly.”
    â€œClearly.” Her lips twitched in the familiar wry smile.
    â€œIn the morning, I’ll send my carriage to convey you to the new house, then call in the evening to discuss arrangements. Perhaps a visit to Tattersalls the next day to choose your cattle. I thought two carriage horses and a hack. I’ve also ordered a curricle that I dare say will meet your approval.”
    â€œVery efficient, my lord,” she said with unconcealed irony. “You will stay to dine tomorrow?”
    They both knew she offered more than food. Heat blasted him, made him hard as oak. “Thank you. It would be my pleasure.”
    Oh, absolutely.
    Why wait? So far, the tame liberties his notorious mistress had allowed wouldn’t raise an eyebrow among the marriage-minded misses at Almack’s. Well, perhaps not altogether true. She was a dab hand at double entendre. And that one burning kiss still haunted him.
    One burning, possessive, damnably short kiss.
    Too short.
    When he kissed her, he’d tasted anger. And surprise. She hadn’t wanted to kiss him, but that flaring instant incinerated every one of his doubts and dissatisfactions. Even the dull, constant ache of old grief and old guilt had briefly faded. Only with the greatest difficulty had he forced himself to stop after that one searing kiss.
    By then her fate was sealed. He would have her. She alone could offer him surcease.
    He wanted to kiss her again. Straightening, he prowled across the rich red and blue Turkish carpet.