To Marry the Duke's Daughter (After the Masquerade) Read Online Free PDF Page B

curiosity.
“Your wit is improved, but not your temper. As much as I would love to stay
and banter, I have an engagement to keep. The money, if you do not mind,
John.” He held out his hand expectantly.
    Jonathon
squared his shoulders. “I have ten quid in my pocketbook, Gregory, no more.”
    “I
doubt that.” He snapped his fingers. “Give it over. Now.”
    “No.”
    “Oh,
John,” Gregory sighed, retracting his hand and shoving it under his coat. “We
must work on your stubbornness. I do not have time for it.”
    Jonathon
grimaced as his brother drew a pistol and levelled it against his forehead.
“Will you really shoot me, Gregory?” He did not believe his brother capable of
murder, but an unfamiliar glint in Gregory’s dark eyes made Jonathon nervous.
    “Neither
you nor I wish to know the answer to that, John,” Gregory warned. “This is my
favourite coat, and I have no doubt your blood will stubbornly cling to me.”
He cocked the pistol. “Do not try my patience, John.”
    Jonathon
tossed his pocketbook against his brother’s stomach. “Take it, then, but you
will be disappointed. In paying off your debts I have given you everything I
have, Gregory. I cannot afford future gambling losses.”
    Gregory
returned his pistol to his coat as he frowned at his brother’s pocketbook,
which did include only ten quid. “This is not enough, John. You must have
more than this tucked away.” He narrowed his eyes and again lifted his cane to
rest against John’s chest. “Are you lying to me, John? Trying to reform my
ways? Mama could not accomplish that, and nor will you.”
    Jonathon
acknowledged his brother’s words with a frown. “I have nothing left to give,
unless you wish to sell me to Thompson as a slave?”
    “Not
a bad idea,” Gregory muttered. “If I find out that you have not been honest
with me, I will squeeze you for every last half farthing. Keep that in mind
for our next discussion, eh, John?
    “You
are lucky you have these apartments through the year,” he added. “I suppose
you will have no choice but to live with me or with Mama, unless you procure a
job.”
    “If
I procure a job you will still take every penny I earn.”
    Gregory
grinned and tipped his hat. “So I will. Good day, John. We shall speak again
soon.”
    Jonathon
scowled as he watched Gregory depart, but before he could slam the door behind
his brother he spotted a familiar figure walking past.
    “Miss
Catherine!” He hastened down the steps to join her and her friend.
    “Mr.
White!” Miss Catherine Burnel’s eyes widened at his sudden appearance. “You
do look dreadful, Mr. White.”
    “I
should,” he muttered. “I need your help, Miss Catherine. I do not know who
else to turn to for this.”
    She
took his arm and motioned for him to escort her friend as well. “Walk with us,
then, and tell me what you need. You can trust Miss Emily to be discreet.”
    “I
will walk as far as the Ravenwoods’ townhouse. The marquis has been gracious
enough to permit me to ride Beth in Hyde Park every afternoon.” He was
grateful for Lord Ravenwood’s continued generosity when it came to his mare,
especially considering it furthered his ability to discreetly converse with
Lady Felicity.
    “The
Ravenwoods are always gracious,” Miss Catherine agreed. “Now, what do you
require?”
     
     
    Felicity
nodded briskly at one of her acquaintances, her hands fiddling impatiently with
the reins of her palfrey. Jonathon was late; if she made another circuit
through the Route de Roi her actions
would be considered suspicious.
    “Lady
Felicity,” a soft voice greeted.
    She
turned in her saddle to see Jonathon seated comfortably atop his high-spirited
mare, and she offered him a wide smile.
    “Mr.
White.”
    He
rode up beside her and they continued together, careful not to show any further
sign of a purposeful meeting.
    “I
was afraid you would not be able to ride today,” she murmured, holding the
reins in one hand while she