The Sweet and Spicy Regency Collection Read Online Free PDF

entering a dangerous jungle in South America seven years and five months ago. In light of that and the painful fact no one since saw them leave, I petitioned the courts to dispense with the legal matter of declaring them dead.”
    Her aunt squeezed May’s hand, pinching it—a subtle reminder for May to hold her temper.
    “I do not understand, Sires,” Winnie said. Her weary gaze hardened. “What does this have to do with May’s request for money? Her parents’ funds should still provide her with a sufficient income.”
    “Uncle Sires had the courts seize control of the money, Aunt.” May could not keep the anger from her voice.
    Nor could Winnie. “What is the meaning of this?”
    “As you know the child’s mother—”
    “Our youngest sister, Viola,” Winnie corrected.
    “Yes, yes. Our grandmother’s inheritance went solely into Viola’s name. Absent a will, there are questions surrounding the inheritance. I have asked the courts to take control of the funds until the questions are resolved.”
    “And who, besides May, do you believe is entitled to Viola’s fortune?”
    “I am, of course. As head of this family, it is only right that I should control the purse strings. A romantic fool, our grandmother, to bestow a fortune to an errant granddaughter. Viola besmirched the family name by marrying that gypsy bastard against my wishes. What assurances do I have that this child won’t act in the same manner? With the promise of a fortune, there is many a blackguard who’d woo the child into some scandalous marriage with false proclamations of love.”
    “May would never fall for such trickery.” Aunt Winnie freed her hand from May’s and rose. “She has a level-head on her shoulders. She economizes with that money and has never sought to spend frivolously, unless for my benefit.” She closed the distance between Sires and herself, approaching like an ancient dragon. Her careful steps lent her a rare grace. Winnie normally leaned heavily on a cane or May’s arm. May knew well how it took all her aunt’s concentration to walk unassisted.
    She feared the exertion would prove too great a strain on Winnie’s heart.
    “Now, Winnie.” Sires retreated a step. “I only have the family’s best interests at heart—even the child’s.”
    “Do you? And what did you intend her to do without access to her parents’ money? Will you have her grovel for crumbs? She’s a proud woman. She shouldn’t have to beg.”
    “No, no. I would never allow that.” Sires retreated another step.
    “And what of me? What did you expect would happen to me without May’s care? I have never possessed a fortune of my own. Will I too be forced to beg?”
    Sires stepped back again only to find he’d reached a wall. He sighed deeply and held his hands out in front of him, as if trying to hold Winnie back. “Listen, you know I would never hurt you. I miss you, in fact. I want you to come back to Redfield Abbey with me.” His gaze traversed the room. “And I want you to move into my home here in Bath—with me tonight.”
    He had a house here in Bath? The bounder! They’d made no secret of the necessity to move from their London townhouse to Bath. Aunt Winnie had been more than forthcoming with him regarding her failing health. He knew and yet never offered to open up the family home to them?
    May pinched her lips together and prayed for calm. Uncle Sires denied his own sister the luxury of his property out of hatred for May—and the sins of her father’s bastard birth. A thousand times a bounder, he was.
    “Please, Winnie. Let me see to your care.” His voice slid as smooth as honey off his deceitful tongue. He lowered his hands, no longer trying to hold his sister back but lure her closer.
    “But what is to become of May?” Aunt Winnie asked. She gave a nervous glance over her shoulder to where May stood, still half in shock.
    “Why, she’ll marry, of course.”
    “Marry? But she has no prospects, no suitors.