A Lover of Men Read Online Free Page A

generally led to someone trying to shoot, stab, or poison him. Rafe had taken on Sir Phineas Moore because he had the most intriguing reputation, and because the fellow had an even more interesting form and aspect. Those broad shoulders carried a heavy burden, one Rafe itched to explore.
    Then there was Miss Lelia August.
    Rafe had spent the day observing the lady in question, much to his amusement. She had a firm but kind hand with servants and shop girls, a practical attitude, and a surprisingly Amazonian form.
    Lush breasts, strong hips and legs combined with a direct expression, and bright blue eyes made her irresistible. Rafe could see why Phineas had agreed to marry Lelia. An unusual female, to be sure.
    Rafe had followed her about on a shopping excursion, clearly to procure new gloves and shoes. Then she’d stopped by a bookshop, where she’d stayed far longer than Raul expected. Long enough, in fact, that he lost track of time himself, perusing a volume of poetry while standing just to the right of the doorway so he would see Lelia if she left.
    He became absorbed in the book, turning pages with undue haste, and was quite distracted, which was why Rafe failed to see her coming.
    “Why are you following me, sirrah?” Lelia asked, barging right up to him brandishing a heavy volume of religious treatise.
    Rafe jumped, but worked to keep his expression pleasant and neutral. “I wanted to meet the lady who had captured the heart of Sir Phineas Moore.”
    Her eyes widened, the pupils going dark, her lips parting. “Well, now you have met me. Lelia August, at your service. Who are you?”
    “Rafael Gaudi. An acquaintance of your soon to be husband.”
    “Oh? Were you in the army together?”
    “No.”
    She frowned slightly, a crease appearing on her brow. “The same club then?”
    “Mmm. No. I’m quite afraid many clubs would never accept me. I’m half Spaniard, you see.”
    “Are you really?” Her face lit up, interest winning over caution. “Have you been to Spain?”
    “I have.” Rafe plucked the book from her hand and placed it on a shelf before taking her hand and tucking it the crook of his arm. “In fact, I lived there until I was nearly an adult.”
    “Oh, I’ve always wanted to travel. I should like to see Greece. Rome! France is not as high on my list, but needs must and all…” Lelia gripped his arm, chattering away as Rafe led her out into the rather gloomy day.
    “I adore Greece,” he told her. “I am quite the collector of all things classical.”
    “Are you indeed? What do you collect?”
    “Anything that depicts athletes.”
    “Like the discobolus?”
    “Precisely. I appreciate the classical male form.”
    Lelia glanced at him from under her lashes. “How is it you know Phineas?”
    “He recently invited me to be his lover.” Rafe needed to test Lelia, to see if her interest in Phineas was, as she had decreed, purely practical, or if she was developing a tendre for the man. Such distinctions would make a difference in his investigations.
    She started as if he’d hit her smack on the buttocks. “Did he? How droll.” Her tone remained light, but her mouth had tightened with displeasure, and she removed her hand from his arm. “I confess, I expected Phineas to be more discreet.”
    “He is, my dear. I am not, which he will learn. I rather believe he thinks this is for your protection.” He lowered his brows then wiggled them, trying to make her understand his inference.
    “Men always do such things for someone else’s protection.” She pulled away from him completely. “I fear I must leave you here, Señor Gaudi. A good day to you.”
    “And to you, Miss August.” He wondered if she knew the store she ducked into was a gentleman’s hat shop. He took pity on her, walking away so she might get on with her day.
    He had learned a great deal from her time with her, not least of which was that, while she might be using Phineas as a means to an end, Lelia did not approve of