The Midnight Rake Read Online Free PDF Page B

filled her plate with food. There were all sorts of wonderful things to eat, choice bits she hadn’t tasted in months, their meager savings allowing only the bare essentials. And there were strawberries. She did love strawberries.
    “Yes, Julia will be fine.” He offered her a scone before continuing. “She’s in Brighton now, but I’m hoping she’ll return home soon.”
    Penelope detected a note of sadness in his words. Clearly, the matter troubled him. Her initial impression, that he possessed a genuine kindness, strengthened. She darted a glance to where he relaxed, noting he’d piled his plate high; his hearty appetite indicating they shared something in common.
    “It sounds like the cause of my own distress, but then I suppose it’s a long road that doesn’t have a turn.” She took a bite of her food. “May I ask your opinion?” Her words held the smallest note of uncertainty. She hardly knew the man before her, yet he expressed such sympathy for his sister’s plight, she could not help but trust him.
    His brows slashed low over his eyes as if he wasn’t sure how to answer, then he made quick work of a reply. “It would be my honor.” He paused to take a sip of his wine. “Be assured I am a veritable vault when it comes to secrets.”
    His response was everything Penny needed to hear and she raised her wine for a fortifying sip before beginning her discreet confession. She included a respectful verisimilitude, editing when necessary to keep true the promise she’d made with Aubry to find Simon Maddock and force his repentance for wrongdoing; even if it meant embarrassment and exposure in the process. In truth, they had little choice. Money was running out no matter how parsimoniously they lived.
    Of course, she had no one to blame for their hardship but herself. She’d pleaded with her father to release her dowry and entrust their savings to Simon’s promise of profitable wealth. Yet no such investments existed; at least none her father’s solicitors could secure in any London bank.
    “Allow me to understand.”
    Phineas finished a second serving of food and reclined on the blanket, his arms a support as he leaned backward, his long legs crossed at the ankles. Her pulse hitched a notch under the penetrating scrutiny of his amber stare.
    “You wish to find a specific gentleman in London, although you won’t reveal his name. When he is located, you want to speak to him in private and the why of it, you also will not share. Is this correct?”
    Penelope found it increasingly difficult to answer. Did he consider her request foolish? No matter the questions racing through her mind, she couldn’t break the hold of his speculative stare. He reminded her of a lion, tawny and regal, reposed, yet powerful. With a nervous swallow she reordered the path of her thoughts. Nothing but trouble was found the last time she opened her heart to emotion. She would need to be much smarter in the future.
    “Stated like that it does sound a little far-fetched.” She placed her empty plate on the blanket and smoothed the crumbs from the skirt of her day gown. The faded fabric was hopelessly out of fashion. She wondered what Phineas thought of her appearance accompanied with her incredulous explanation. But no, he did not seem put off with her confession, only curious.
    “Shall I clarify a bit more?” If he detected the compunctious tone of her voice, he was polite enough not to comment. More the pity she could never tell him the complete truth, but she would be mortified to reveal she’d been disgracefully left at the altar and made penniless in the same afternoon. He would think her impetuous at the least, unworthy at the worst and for some unidentifiable reason, the thought of Phineas establishing a lowered opinion shot a pulse of panic through her.
    “I’m all ears.”
    Did he merely humor her? He smiled and his face transformed from serene and inquisitive, to breathtakingly handsome in a heartbeat.
    She