Confessions of a Scoundrel Read Online Free Page B

reasonable.” Verena bit back a sigh. Being independent was a costlyventure, one she’d welcomed from the beginning. But she had to admit that there were times when it was just the teensiest bit wearing. Times like…well, all of the time, if she was honest.
    Despite her disapproval of Father and his schemes, she had him to thank that she was able to make it at all. Rutland had destroyed her credit with both society and the banks when she’d come to Westforth House after Andrew’s death. Determined to keep the house from her, the old earl had hired an entire army of solicitors to make her life miserable.
    Verena had been left with no recourse but to use the skills Father had taught her—she entered the world of the demimonde and there, across the green felt tables of London’s most exclusive gambling hells, she made her living, one careful card at a time.
    She was not a flamboyant player; Verena only won enough to make her way in the world. She didn’t want the attention a winning spree would have caused and she had nothing to prove. Not anymore. But still, she itched to put her talents to the test.
    James pocketed his watch, then examined the snuffbox with a practiced eye. “Here I was, thinking you’d turned into a saint when in reality, you’ve found a better game.”
    Verena took the snuffbox from James and placed it back on the table. “I hired Herberts to serve as a butler and nothing more. If you want to know the truth, he is all I can afford. That and Viscountess Hunterston especially asked if I could take him on since his last placement didn’t take.”
    â€œI can’t imagine why.” James flicked an especially large ruby cravat pin on its side. “Whose are these, anyway?”
    â€œI have no idea.” She scraped all the items into a large pile. “Herberts arrived just a month ago. In time, I’m certain I will be able to break him of his bad habits.”
    â€œYou can’t reform a shyster.”
    â€œYes, you can. Everyone can change.” She carried Herberts’s haul to her desk. Once there, she unlocked the top drawer and placed the items inside. “What a bother. I suppose I shall have to find a way to return all of this.”
    â€œIf you want me to take care of it for you, I’ll—”
    â€œNo.” She locked the drawer and replaced the key in her pocket. “I’ll see to it myself.”
    James grinned as he returned to his seat and picked up the deck of cards. Verena watched how his fingers flew, the cards melding, merging, flickering from one picture to the next. He met her gaze and grinned, his teeth flashing whitely. If she had not known him so well, she would have never realized that beneath his carefree air was a hint of desperation.
    She took the chair across from him. “Is it a woman?”
    His fingers faltered and two cards flicked from the deck to land on the floor. He reddened, then picked them up and put them back in the deck. “I never could hide anything from you.”
    â€œI know. You were silly to even try. Now out with it.”
    His grin faded. After a long moment, he sighed and said, “Ver, I’m being blackmailed.”
    â€œBy whom?”
    He sent her a grateful glance for her quickness. “I don’t know. All I do know is that I made an error in Italy, one that may well cost someone their life.”
    â€œSomeone?”
    His cheeks darkened. “I’d rather not say.”
    Verena thought about this. “I take it she’s married.”
    James’s strained expression melted into genuine concern. “It’s a mess, Ver. I’m at my wits’ end.”
    â€œHow much do they want?”
    â€œI don’t know yet. I was told to come to London and they would contact me, but I expect it will be five thousand pounds at least. Perhaps more.”
    â€œGood God! That’s a fortune.”
    James winced. “Sabrina’s