Free Sinful Liaisons by Samantha Holt

damn.
    “You’re not the first Cynfell to get into trouble, Pierce, and you won’t be the last, but I suggest you get this sorted sharpish.”
    “You know you could have told me this by letter.” He narrowed his gaze at his brother.
    Jasper grinned and made a show of studying his nails before buffing them on his jacket. “Yes, but what fun would that be? Besides I had a hankering to find out about this woman who is mad enough to want you in her bed.”
    “Then you need not wait,” came Evelyn’s voice from the doorway.
    Pierce had to suppress a smile when his brother’s expression faltered before returning to his usual charming composure. They stood and Evelyn swept into the room with all her usual confidence. Dressed in pale green silk, her beauty near punched him in the gut. And if Jasper’s expression was anything to go by, he’d noticed how fine she looked too.
    “Your Grace.” Jasper bowed low.
    “Evelyn, this is my brother Jasper. Jasper, Evelyn Chesworth, Duchess of Ardleigh.”
    “A pleasure.”
    She gave a smile and took her time studying him. It would have been easy for him to be jealous, he supposed, but he’d had her coming apart in his arms only this morning and after those screams, he had no doubt her inspection of Jasper was either to intimidate him or to satisfy her curiosity.
    “I’ve heard of you. Didn’t you cause that scandal with the Countess of Sanvigné?”
    Jasper flicked a glance his way that said Oh I like her before turning a charming smile on Evelyn. “Do not believe everything you hear, Your Grace.”
    “I rarely do but when one is a friend of the countess, one tends to believe one’s friends.”
    His brother chuckled and Pierce couldn’t help but grin. Few men would get the better of Evelyn. Though he certainly made a good attempt at it, at least in the bedroom. There was where any inequalities between them were redressed.
    “Will you be staying for lunch?” she asked.
    “If you don’t mind. Then perhaps my brother can show me around if you have no objections, Your Grace.”
    “None at all.”
    “Well, I shall leave you in peace for the moment. A pleasure to meet you, Lord Jasper.”
    Jasper swung a look Pierce’s way as Evelyn left. “Well, quite the pickle you’ve got yourself in, Pierce. And damn if I’m not thoroughly envious.”

Chapter Eight
    How could it be? Evelyn studied the letter over breakfast once more. Gone was the swirling excitement she’d awoken with. Now heavy dread weighted her stomach like a stone. Memories of Pierce coming to bed with her to make love to her after his brother had left were replaced with that creeping sensation again.
    She eyed the name on the letter. George Whitbury . He hadn’t been lying at Stourbridge then. He had proof of his dealings with her husband. And yet...
    It didn’t make sense. Rupert didn’t gamble. Her late husband hadn’t been a risk-taker at all. Why would he gamble away almost a quarter of their land? She scowled at the agreement and the signature at the bottom. It was certainly her husband’s but it could be a forgery. However, the witness was a respectable man. Again, she supposed it could be forged too but what a risky business that was. George had assured her Sir Lloyd Chapman would step forward and acknowledge the wager if needs be.
    What was she to do? Drag her husband’s memory through the mud by fighting this wager? Release the land to George and be done with it? How could she relinquish Samuel’s inheritance with such ease?
    “Is something amiss?”
    She glanced up to see Pierce standing behind one of the chairs, his hands clasped around the carved walnut. Her gaze fell on those capable fingers and she recalled how they’d played her body so perfectly. There was certainly much to be said for having a younger lover. He had boundless energy and enthusiasm. However, his commanding ways had taken her a little by surprise. Apparently her body took well to it as did her mind. There was something