As Rich as a Rogue Read Online Free Page A

he turned to his companions. “Pick a table. I will join you soon.”
    The younger set disappeared with alacrity. Only one lingered. His oldest friend, Ash, cocked an eyebrow behind the earl’s back. Peter merely shrugged, then reluctantly gestured his friend away. The confrontation with his father was unavoidable, so he might as well get it over with. Besides, he’d figured out in his adolescence how to survive it. He thought about ladies’ titties until the whole mess was over. And Miss Powel had nice ripe ones, likely with pert tips of a lovely color. Would they be pink or more dusky brown? He could drown out his father for hours, contemplating the possibilities.
    â€œI cannot understand what you find amusing in those numbskulls.”
    â€œGood humor,” he answered blithely. “But we are alone now. What is it that you wished to say?”
    â€œAlone!” the earl spat. “In this place?”
    â€œWe are as private as we would have been at White’s. More so, since it is quieter there. Things more easily overheard. Or I could attend you Thursday noon. I believe I offered that in my note.”
    â€œThursday! As if I don’t know that trick. Come Thursday, you would delay until Sunday.”
    That had not been his intention, but he couldn’t deny there’d been a time when he’d used that trick often. “Well, we are here now, Father. What did you wish to say?” Miss Powel’s titties would be full, round peaches and smell sweet. He couldn’t wait to feel them puckering in his hands.
    â€œVery well, I shall be brief.”
    Thank God.
    â€œI need to know if you intend to see to your responsibilities.”
    A dark pink tip with a large rose circle around it. “Er…yes, of course I do. Uh…do you mean the finding of a wife?”
    â€œDo you mistake me for your mother? The women are her concern. If you die without issue, your brother is perfectly capable of taking the reins when you fail.”
    Yes, his brother was more than willing to take up the reins. Though they’d have to find the miscreant first. At the moment, Lucius was campaigning somewhere…er…somewhere else. “Just where is Lucius at the moment?”
    His father waved the question away. “Not here.”
    Obviously. Peter made a mental note to ask his mother. Disgraceful that he’d lost track, but then the military never kept the family well informed.
    â€œIf you’re not here to demand I take a wife—”
    â€œHardly.”
    â€œThen what responsibilities do you wish me to pursue?”
    â€œThe estate! Bloody hell, it’s like talking to a noddy. The title needs more funds. We’re desperately lacking in improvements, and the canal isn’t working as it ought. All that costs money, and if it’s to be your land someday, you ought to see to its maintenance.”
    â€œBut it’s not mine now, Father. And I’ve already sent you all the money I could. That was, if you recall, the reason I went to India in the first place.” It wasn’t the only reason, but his father didn’t need to know that.
    â€œDon’t mistake me for one of your lackwit friends. You’ve come back from India a nabob. It’s all anyone can talk about. You and that dratted Welsh girl and her silly bird.”
    â€œYou cannot believe what they say.”
    His father straightened up to his full height, which was impressive enough, though he was still sitting down. “Of course I can! You’ve fine clothes on your back, an emerald on your finger, and prime horseflesh that made the trip with you.”
    That was, in fact, about all he’d come back from India with, but no one knew that. And he meant to keep it that way for a good long time. “I mean to breed her, Father.”
    â€œExactly. And you can’t do that without money.”
    Peter leaned back in his chair, forced reluctantly to study his father