The Emperor's Conspiracy

The Emperor's Conspiracy Read Online Free PDF Page A

Book: The Emperor's Conspiracy Read Online Free PDF
Author: Michelle Diener
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Historical
Howe shook her head. “I’ve fought for her like a lioness fights for her cub. I’ve never met Luke Bracken, but we’ve battled a war against each other, he and I.”
    “And you were the winner.” Emma leaned back and smiled.
    “Who really wins a war?” Lady Howe shrugged. “I’ve kept Charlotte, but Luke Bracken continues to insinuate himself in her life. And I don’t think I will ever be rid of him.”
    “And what is wrong with Luke Bracken?” Emma was beyond curious now.
    Lady Howe gave a tired, tight smile. “Luke Bracken is a London crime boss.”
    Emma gaped.
    “At least I don’t fear for Charlotte’s safety when she’s out late at night.” Lady Howe rubbed delicately at her temple. “No rogue in the whole of the West End would dare lay a finger on her.”

5

    “D o you take sugar in your tea, Lord Durnham?”
    Catherine’s gentle tone had the effect of forcing Lord Durnham to quit scowling at the very tasteful Turkish carpet and behave with some semblance of civility.
    Charlotte, so used to the practiced, slick manners of the ton, which meant nothing and usually hid venom and ill will, was delighted by him. Of course, this was precisely the type of man she would never meet at balls. He would attend them only if forced.
    Perhaps this was her sign to stop going about in polite society.
    “Charlotte?” Catherine was looking at her, eyebrows raised, a cup of tea in her hands.
    “Sorry.” Charlotte smiled and took it. “Off elsewhere, I’m afraid.”
    “Did you enjoy your ride?” Lady Holliday asked her, trying to keep the conversation alive. Her brother certainly didn’t feel compelled to do so.
    “I did. We had a lovely run.” She took a sip of tea, relishing the almost unbearably hot tang as she swallowed. “What about you, Lord Durnham? Do you ride?”
    He looked at her, at last. A look that seemed vaguely threatening, as if he intended to find out everything about her, and use it against her. Charlotte raised an eyebrow and gave him a serene smile.
    He hunted for a place to set his cup, the fine china ridiculously fragile in his hands, and gave a sharp nod. “I do.”
    “And you are involved in government?”
    He started, and plunked the tea down too sharply on a small table. He turned that direct gaze on her again. “Why do you ask that?”
    Charlotte shrugged, but she could see the fire in his eyes. She had touched something with her question, startled him. It intrigued her. “You do not go about in society, Lord Durnham, so I assumed you were involved in the government. In the war.”
    “Perhaps I’m just an unsocial hermit.”
    She laughed, and even to her own ears, it was breathless. Good grief! She’d better get a grip. She so seldom sparred with men who were not trying to flatter her, it was making her heady. She formed a rejoinder, then thought better of answering at all. She was not accomplished enough as a flirt, and she was usually too blunt.
    He waited a moment or two for her reply, but when it was not forthcoming, he seemed to relax, as if he had dodged a bullet, and took up his teacup again.
    Perhaps he was a spymaster. Or a diplomat. Charlotte could think of little else that would require such secrecy, unless she was mistaken in his reaction … She lifted her eyes to first Catherine and then Emma, and saw they were both regarding Lord Durnham with a good deal more interest than they had before.
    “I must say, I never knew you worked for Whitehall,” Lady Holliday said. “You are very sharp to have worked that out, Miss Raven. It’s obviously a well-kept secret.”
    “I didn’t say I worked for Whitehall.” Edward frowned at his sister.
    Charlotte could not help leaning forward. “Oh yes, Lord Durnham, you did.”
    “Stop baiting our guest, Charlotte. Lord Durnham obviously has no wish to talk about his duties for the Crown.” Catherine lifted a plate of beautiful little cakes and held it out to him.
    He gave Catherine a look of hunted frustration, and
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