A Dangerous Love Read Online Free

affairs. He has a bad habit of speaking his mind.”
    Griff suppressed a groan.
    “R-Rosalind said the Chinese style was quite popular in L-London,” the younger woman sputtered. “Is that not true?”
    Daniel glanced furtively to Griff, who gave him a slight nod. “The style is still all the crack in many quarters,” Daniel reassured the two ladies. “Mr. Brennan’s tastes are duller than your sister’s, that’s all.”
    “You may inform your man of affairs,” Lady Helena retorted in a frosty voice, “that my sister Rosalind manages the estate almost entirely alone under difficult circumstances, so I think she’s entitled to a few eccentricities.”
    “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise, my lady,” Griff interjected, determined to placate the woman. And change the subject before her tongue stripped his skin. “Speaking of eccentricities, I noticed that you and your sisters bear the names of Shakespearean heroines. Rosalind. Helena. Juliet. Was that intentional?”
    “Are you a lover of Shakespeare?”
    He decided the truth wouldn’t hurt. “Actually, I am. The comedies mostly.”
    “Thanks to our proximity to Stratford-upon-Avon, Papa is also an enthusiast. That, as you might guess, is why we’re saddled with these names.” She turned to Daniel. “What about you? Are you also fond of Shakespeare?”
    “Not at all. Griff’s the only one who’s contracted the Shakespeare pox.”
    “Griff?” Lady Helena asked. “I beg your pardon, but who is Griff?”
    Damnation, Daniel had already slipped up. Danielshot Griff a look of sheer exasperation, but Griff suddenly realized that his cousins probably didn’t know his middle name. This might work to his advantage. “Griff is my nickname,” he quickly put in. “That’s what Knighton and the employees at Knighton Trading call me.”
    “Y-Your Christian name is Daniel, isn’t it?” Lady Juliet stammered.
    Griff thought fast. “Yes, but I’m called Griff after the griffin.” For Daniel’s benefit, he added, “You know—the mythical creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion, who keeps guard over gold and riches.”
    “That’s right,” Daniel chimed in, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “It’s because he’s so tightfisted. Why, only last week I wanted to pay a man two hundred pounds for a service Griff thinks deserves only one hundred and fifty. Isn’t that right, Griff?”
    Griff raised an eyebrow. “Yes. And I haven’t changed my mind. The man still has to prove he can do a decent job.”
    “I expect he’ll surprise you.” At Griff’s warning glare, Daniel turned to the ladies. “When will I meet your father—at dinner? I’m eager to talk with him.”
    Probably more eager to get it over with , Griff thought wryly. If Daniel passed that test, they were in for the duration.
    “Oh, no, not tonight!” Lady Juliet cried. “I-I mean, Papa is so ill you’d best wait until he’s better. In the morning, perhaps.”
    “But Juliet, surely—” her sister began.
    “In the morning,” Lady Juliet insisted. “W-Would you gentlemen like some tea?”
    Griff’s eyes narrowed as Lady Juliet steered them toward the parlor, chattering anxiously as they went. All was not as it had seemed at first—thesetwo were hiding something, and their sister, who apparently ran the estate, probably had a part in it.
    No matter. Their petty secrets would not deter him from his purpose.
     
    Rosalind had been fretting for an age when she heard a key turn in the lock.
    To her surprise, it was Helena. “You really are here,” Helena said, her eyes reflecting shock at the sight of Rosalind waiting impatiently on the other side of the door.
    Rosalind pushed past her out of the room. “Shh—Papa is asleep, and I don’t want to wake him.” As soon as she was in the hall, she asked, “Did Juliet send you to let me out?”
    “Yes—she couldn’t face your lecture. If I’d known you were here, I’d have come sooner. It’s past eleven