Wicked Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page B

step inside and comfort him. Perhaps help him sit up, then I could sit with Rose.”
    “And we can be away,” he finished for her. Those words were spoken to the driver as much as to the lady. Both nodded their understanding as he ducked inside. Alex was indeed becoming alert, his eyes wide with panic as he pushed himself upright. But one look at Kit and his breath steadied out. “That’s it, boy. Just a moment more and we’ll be on our way. Mind, we’re in the presence of ladies, so be on your best behavior.”
    The boy nodded, his gaze going to the blonde as he managed a tremulous smile. But it was the brown-haired angel who spoke as she entered the carriage. “I’m so glad you’re awake. My name is Miss Madeline Wilson, by the way. And this is my cousin, Lady Rose.”
    A titled girl, then. And her poor relation, he guessed, given that the angel’s clothing was an obvious castoff from the blonde. The color and style were completely wrong for a statuesque brunette and more suited to the doll-like blonde. Add to that the slightly worn state of the crest on the carriage and the fading livery of the footman, and Kit formed a picture of his hostess’s family. An earldom, he guessed, well past their prime and probably struggling for every penny.
    “A pleasure, of course.” Kit did his best to bow in the tight confines of the carriage. Then he gestured to his side. “I am Mr. Frazier as you already know, and this is Master Alexander Morgan, now much recovered from his recent bout of insanity. Right, Alex?”
    Alex flushed, obviously embarrassed, but that didn’t stop him from staring at the blonde.
    “You’re quite beautiful,” he said, obviously smitten.
    “Oh, sir!” she simpered, clearly pleased.
    Kit glanced at the angel, expecting to share a look of amused tolerance with her. Instead he found her expression sad more than amused, and resigned more than tolerant. Kit felt his eyebrows raise. Perhaps the angel was unaware of her own appeal and much too used to being passed over in favor of her rather young and obvious cousin. Meanwhile, the blonde was beginning to speak, making sure to punctuate her words with many bright smiles and coquettish looks at them both.
    “It’s really quite exciting to have you both here with us, but you know, my cousin doesn’t always understand London ways. She’s from the country, you know, and not really wise to the ways of town. You understand, of course, that—”
    “Actually, Rose, I was thinking that there must be some way for us to turn this to our advantage. After all, Mr. Frazier is the cousin to an earl. Surely you can think of something.” She glanced at the men. “Rose is very clever at this sort of thing.”
    Kit smiled, not in the least bit fooled. Obviously the angel had some skill at manipulating her cousin. Far from being offended, he was rather entertained. He remembered the subtle fencing of words as one might remember a boyhood game.
    Meanwhile, Rose was softening. “I suppose, but you know what Papa will say: One charity case is quite enough.”
    Unfair! To throw that back at the angel, and in front of male company no less, was the mark of a cruel woman. And given the angel’s quiet acceptance of the slight, Kit knew that she was treated to such comments frequently. So he was roused to defend her, though he had to search through his memory for the most appropriate words.
    “I am capable of paying,” he said softly. “And I would count myself in your debt. Indeed, the charity you extended to us demonstrates a true and good heart. I wonder that you are not buried in suitors. Is all of London blind?”
    He spoke to the angel and was gratified to see her eyes widen in surprise. But naturally, the blonde took the words as her due. “Well, as to that, an earl’s daughter is not free to marry whomever asks, you know.” There was a wistfulness in her tone and an openness of emotion that caught Kit by surprise. She wasn’t truly cruel, he realized,