Page 21 of The Hidden Heart

Vesey looked at him oddly. “You know. My, ah, cousin.”

“What is her name?”

Vesey’s face was blank. “Name? Oh, well, um, Carson, no…Carstairs. That’s it!”

“Her first name.”

“How the devil should I know?” Vesey scowled at him. “What difference does it make what her name is?”

“It rather makes one wonder why you should want to take someone who is apparently a stranger to you ‘off my hands,’ as you say.”

“Oh, well, as to that, she’s my cousin, you see. Second or third, of course, can’t remember which. Doesn’t matter. I’m her only family.”

“She has my condolences.”

His companion looked faintly puzzled but plowed on gamely. “Yes, well, of course. Sad about the old man and all that.” He paused, then added, in case Cleybourne wanted that information, “General Streathern, you know.”

“Yes. I know.”

Vesey’s face cleared. “Yes. Well, anyway, blood’s thicker than water. Girl should be with her relatives, and of course I’ll do my duty.”

“Ah, your duty. I see.”

“Yes. Can’t be something a man in your position wants to take on—young girl to raise. No wife to take care of her. Just a burden to you. So…” He raised his hands, spread them in a gesture of generosity. “That’s why I’m willing to take her, you see. Too much to ask of someone who isn’t family.”

“And I’m sure her rather large fortune has nothing to do with the decision,” Richard said in a silken voice that would have warned anyone less thick than Lord Vesey.

Vesey looked at him uncertainly. “Ah, well…”

Richard rose from his chair, leaning forward and planting his fists on the desk before him. “Let me make myself clear, Vesey. I would not put a dog into your care, let alone a young girl. Your vices are well-known to me, and your wife has less maternal instinct than a wolf. There is no way in hell that I am giving up my guardianship of Gabriela to you! The fact that you think I might be willing to do so is an insult to me, and should you approach me about it again, I promise you that I will call you out. Do I make myself clear?”

Paler than usual, Vesey rose from his chair. “No need to shout, dear fellow. Only a suggestion. Can’t think why you should care.”

“Because I have some scruples. But I wouldn’t expect you to understand that. Now kindly remove yourself from my office before I give in to my baser side and throw you out on your ear.”

Vesey sidled around the chair, casting a cautious glance back at Cleybourne. “No need to get in a taking. Out of here in a trice.”

Vesey opened the door and slipped into the hall. Richard grimaced and sat back down in his chair, congratulating himself that at least that ordeal was over. He had known Vesey would be bound to make an effort to persuade him to turn over Gabriela, but now the scoundrel knew where Richard stood on the matter, and he would give up and leave tomorrow.

But his hopes that he was through with the Veseys were dashed a few minutes later when the door opened without even a warning knock and Lady Vesey glided in. For a moment all Richard could do was stare. Leona had changed dresses and was now wearing a pale muslin thing so sheer that he could see the pink-brown circles of her nipples beneath the material. The high-waisted gown cupped her full breasts, pressing them up so that they looked as if at any moment they might spill out entirely. Her hair lay in artful curls, one long tress falling across the white expanse of her chest and onto the swell of her breast.

“Richard!” she exclaimed, feigning surprise. “I did not know you were still up. I came in search of a book.” She strolled across the room toward him, her hips swaying provocatively. “I was having trouble sleeping….”

“Were you?” Richard rose and walked over to the bellpull and tugged at it vigorously. “I fear that I use the study more for business than reading pleasure. Most of the books are down the hall in the library. I will have one of the footmen show you the way.”

Leona’s chuckle was low and throaty. “You are such a tease, Richard.” She walked over to him and laid her hand against his chest. “I don’t need a footman. I’d much rather you showed me.”

“Yes, well, I happen to be going to bed right now.”

“Really? That sounds interesting.” Leona gazed up into his face, her golden eyes full of sexual promise. “Wouldn’t you like some company?”

“I am used to sleeping alone, Lady Vesey.”

At that moment the door opened to admit his valet, coming in answer to Richard’s tug at the bellpull. “Your Grace?”

“Ah, Noonan. Lady Vesey is apparently having some trouble sleeping. Fetch her a glass of warm milk, would you? Oh, and show her where the library is.”

“Certainly, Your Grace.”