The Harlot Countess Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Mrs. McGinnis, thank you for your assistance today. I believe I shall return later when your shop isn’t quite so . . . overrun.”
    Concern evident behind her spectacles, Mrs. McGinnis returned, “Very well, my lady. It has been my pleasure. I am always happy to help your ladyship.”
    Chin high, Maggie swept out of the shop. The frigid air slapped her skin, though she hardly felt it with all the anger coursing through her veins. Not about to scurry away like vermin, she stepped over to examine the front window. Mrs. McGinnis was a genius with arranging paintings and engravings to best draw the customer’s eye. The woman hadn’t known much about art in Little Walsingham, but some people had a gift for discerning beauty. Mrs. McGinnis liked what she liked and, as it turned out, customers agreed.
    She sighed. Really, it had been absurd to let those three vipers-in-training get under her skin. Provoking a reaction was precisely what the gossips wished for, and Maggie tried, in a perverse sort of revenge, to never give them the satisfaction. Today’s failure had likely been a result of Simon’s unexpected presence. She’d never thought to run into him here, for heaven’s sake. Perhaps at one of her gatherings or an exhibition—a place where she’d have a bit of warning, some time to prepare herself.
    The Winejester cartoon caught her eye. Right in front, it held a place of prominence in the display. The image made Maggie smile, her first real smile of the day.
    Perhaps it was time for another party.

Chapter Three
    Simon rapped on the door of a large town house on Charles Street. “We might very well be turned away.”
    The Duke of Colton snorted. “I’ve never been refused entrance at a dissolute party in my life.”
    The revelry from inside reached the front steps, a steady hum of noise. In addition to the voices, notes from a string quartet played. Simon could only wonder what the neighbors thought.
    â€œYour illustrious reputation notwithstanding,” the Duchess of Colton noted dryly, “we also received an invitation. So I would say there’s very little chance we’ll be refused.”
    â€œAn invite?” Simon glanced at her. “You never mentioned that.”
    Julia shrugged. “We receive invitations to almost everything, Simon, no matter the event. As do you, I’m certain. Of course, I never had reason to attend one of Lady Hawkins’s parties before.”
    â€œAs if I’d let you come without me,” Colt told her.
    â€œAs if you could stop me,” she shot back. “Besides, tonight we’re here for Simon.”
    Simon stifled a groan. He hadn’t wanted company for this errand, but Julia had been insistent after learning his plans. The entire outing might very well be a waste of time if Maggie refused to speak to him. He’d sent her four notes over the past week, asking for an audience, and she’d refused him each time. Therefore, when news of her party reached his ears, he’d decided to approach her here. She couldn’t very well avoid him then.
    All he needed was to ask a favor of her, though even he had trouble accepting such a paper-thin excuse. The desire to see her again, to talk to her, had been an uncomfortable itch under his skin since their meeting at McGinnis’s Print Shop. Curiosity, he told himself, nothing more. He’d satisfy that particular need tonight and then be done with her. Of course, there was a slim chance she could help him after all, which would be an additional boon to this venture.
    The wood door swung open to reveal an older, plump woman. She gave them a quick appraisal and held the door to allow them in. After accepting their personal effects, she led them up the marble staircase. Simon followed, keeping pace. The interior was far from ostentatious, but well appointed, he noticed. Tasteful art on the walls. Plush carpets. Gold accents. Nothing the