Free To Sin With A Scoundrel by Cara Elliott Page B

is seriously seeking to take custody of your son? I understand that they said some nasty things during the inquest, but—”
    “It was more than mere words, Lord Hadley. Someone tried to bribe the chemist from whom I purchase my supplies to say that
     I had bought some highly toxic poisons right before my husband’s death. Thank God, he was a man of integrity and informed
     my solicitor, so the trick could not be tried at another shop.”
    Ciara took a moment to steady her breathing. “And before you ask why, I will tell you that the answer is simple—money. Arthur
     Battersham has gambled himself into debt, and his mother, my late husband’s sister, knows that if I am declared an unfit mother,
     the current legal guardianship can be changed. Whoever is appointed to take charge of my son will control the purse strings
     of his considerable fortune.” Another pause. “So be assured that I am not imagining the threat.”
    “It would not seem so,” replied Lucas as he watched her wet her lips…
    Forget about her lips,
he warned himself. Forget about the tiny tremor of her mouth when she spoke about her son. Forget about the shade of fear
     that darkened her eyes when Society was mentioned.
    And most of all, forget about the inexplicable desire that came over him when she was near—the desire not only to kiss her
     witless, but to pick up a sword and slay her dragons.
    “Have you other questions, sir?”
    “Not at the moment.” Reminding himself that he was a rakehell libertine, not a high-minded hero, he shoved aside such strange
     thoughts. “Shall we move on to the business at hand?”
    She nodded curtly.
    “For this to work, we are going to have to be a convincing couple. That means we shall have to begin appearing in Society.”
    “When?” she whispered.
    “As soon as possible.” He took a piece of paper from his pocket. “I’ve made a list of the influential hostesses and the parties
     where I think we should make an appearance. I suggest we make our debut at the Countess of Saybrook’s soirée. She’s one of
     the leading arbiters of style in London, and word will spread like wildfire. After a week or so of us being seen together,
     the betrothal announcement can be sent to the newspapers.”
    Ciara grimaced. “I can’t imagine how anyone will really believe we have a
tendre
for each other.”
    Lucas smiled. “In my experience, when it comes to telling a bouncer, one should always stick as close to the truth as possible.
     We shall say that we met through my uncle, whose scholarly interests are well known. I was smitten by your charms…”
    She made a strange sound in her throat. “Or we could announce that I bewitched you by slipping a potent love potion in your
     drink, a powerful drug that addled your judgment.”
    “My judgment has never been considered very steady to begin with,” he replied. “No one will blame you for its demise.”
    “Ah, well, one less crime I am guilty of.” For an instant her eyes flared with an odd light, somewhere between anger and longing.
     And then her mask of composure was back in place, her gaze unflinching as it met his. It could not be easy facing the smug
     censure and prurient gossip, yet she had retained a dignity and grace that did her proud.
    Lucas was aware of how sublimely stupid his antics must appear to her.
Another indolent aristocrat, wasting away his days with drinking, gambling, and womanizing.
    He smoothed a wrinkle from his sleeve. To hell with what Lady Sheffield thought of him. He didn’t give a damn for Society’s
     opinion, so why should hers matter? There was, he reminded himself, nothing personal about this arrangement. It was simply
     an exchange of services.
    “Lady Sheffield, it’s obvious you think I am a wastrel and a fool. But much as it might shock you, my brain has grasped the
     fact that you are not at all pleased with the proposed arrangement,” he said. “I understand that you are sacrificing your
     scruples. Well,