A Daughter's Destiny Read Online Free Page A

business.”
    Haviland kicked a table. It collapsed with a crash. He ignored the flare of dismay in Brienne’s eyes as he stepped toward Evan. “Somerset, if ye don’t cooperate, ye’ll find yerself rottin’ in prison.”
    â€œNo!” cried Brienne, leaping to her feet. “You cannot put a man in jail for no reason.”
    Haviland whirled to face her. “I can give ye lots of reasons, Miss Laclerk. One is gettin’ in my way.”
    â€œNow, now,” Evan said, “there is no cause for such words to Miss LeClerc .”
    When Haviland growled something incoherent, Evan looked at Brienne. Her dark eyes still flashed. Her impassioned defense was a surprise. He would have guessed she would gladly pay the turnkey to put shackles on him.
    She rocked almost off her feet as Haviland pushed past her, and Evan swore under his breath. This was not the time to enjoy poking fun at Haviland. She was ready to collapse. That was no surprise either.
    Evan grasped her hand and drew her to him. She almost tumbled into his arms. When she stiffened and was about to pull away, he murmured, “I need you to cooperate if you want to get rid of him.”
    She glanced at Haviland, then nodded.
    Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he turned her to him. The lush softness of her breasts against his chest threatened to take his breath away. His fingers sifted through her thick hair that swept over his arm, and he gazed down into her eyes which were lustrous with unshed tears. He had never seen such courage … or such temptation.
    He brushed his lips against hers, savoring the sweet flavor of her mouth. She stared up at him, astonishment lighting her eyes until they glowed like dark jewels. Smiling, he kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes and rested her cheek against his chest.
    Looking over her head, Evan said, “As you can see, Haviland, I am here because Brienne is my dear friend.”
    â€œDear friend?” He snorted. “She don’t have gentleman callers.”
    â€œIf you watch this salon closely enough to know that, you should have seen the two men who attacked her.”
    â€œTwo?”
    Evan cursed his own glib tongue. If Brienne’s warmth were not so distracting, he might keep his mind on getting rid of Haviland and getting his hands on the vase. Although, he had to own, getting his hands on Brienne was not a bad consolation at the moment.
    â€œMiss Laclerk, is this true?”
    Brienne hesitated, not wanting to lie. Mayhap with this bit of information, Mr. Haviland would leave. Her salon was destroyed. It would take more money than she could imagine to repair the damage. Money! Mr. Somerset would give her Ł200 for that silly vase. As soon as the watchman left, she would sell it to him.
    â€œYes, Mr. Haviland,” she said quietly. “Two men. They smelled of the docks.”
    Mr. Somerset tilted her face toward his. “Ma chère Brienne, how will you ever forgive me for letting you face this alone? How can I ever forgive myself for allowing such evil to hurt the one I love most in the whole world?”
    She bit back her retort that Evan Somerset loved no one but himself. His blue gaze surrounded her as his fingers stroked her arm. The light touch urged her to forget everything else as she brought his mouth to hers again.
    â€œBrienne!”
    Pulling away from Mr. Somerset, Brienne ran to her grandmother, who was staring at the broken chairs and tables. “Grand-mère, be careful! Will you go to Maman? She must have heard the noise here.”
    â€œNo doubt about that.” Grand-mère picked up a tablecloth and frowned at the dirt on it.
    â€œPlease reassure her that everything will be all right. I can handle this.”
    In haughty, very correct English, she demanded, “Will you handle this, ma petite ? Or will you be the one handled?”
    â€œGrand-mère!” She forced a smile. “Please do not tease me about