Dark Obsession Read Online Free Page A

curled in a fist on his hip. Light from the chandelier above him picked out gold glimmers in his freshly trimmed hair. He raised one slightly darker eyebrow and grinned. ‘‘I’d all but given you up for lost. What the blazes kept you?’’
    Grayson frowned. ‘‘Kept me? I was about to apologize for being unforgivably early. In fact, I’d rather hoped there’d be sufficient time for my host to offer me a fortifying brandy before feeding me to the wolves.’’
    ‘‘The wolves should be here any moment, and they’re sure to be hungry. Ravenous enough, in fact, to find even the sorry likes of you palatable.’’
    ‘‘You’re enjoying this, you insufferable swine.’’ Grayson started up the stairs.
    ‘‘Enjoying watching you land yourself a stunning little package of wealth and wit?’’ Chad shrugged. ‘‘I’ll admit I shan’t weep for you, my friend, though I do understand what’s causing you to dig in your heels. No man likes to feel dragooned. Why not try pretending this was all your idea, rather than Thorngoode’s?’’
    When Grayson reached his lifelong friend, he stopped and faced him levelly. ‘‘Remind me that I have no choice, Chad.’’
    ‘‘You have no choice, Gray.’’
    ‘‘Say it as though you mean it.’’
    Chad clapped a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. ‘‘You’re looking downright ghoulish, old boy. Not ill, are you?’’
    He was quick to shake his head. ‘‘Only at heart. I could use that brandy, damn it.’’
    ‘‘And you shall have it.’’ Chad’s eyes reflected the many years of their friendship, their countless confidences, their infinite trust of each other. ‘‘See here, as I’ve told you at least a dozen times already, if there’s any way I can help you . . .’’
    ‘‘No.’’
    Chad’s hand slid from his shoulder. ‘‘I only meant . . .’’
    Grayson made an effort to soften his tone and relax his stance, which had tensed to battle readiness a moment ago. ‘‘I know. And you’ve already helped me more than you’ll ever guess. When Thomas died . . . if you hadn’t been on hand, well, I don’t know . . .’’
    ‘‘I’m still on hand, old chap. Always will be.’’
    The truth of that statement resonated with him. He could count on his oldest friend. But not even Chad knew about . . . it . No one did.
    ‘‘Then you’ll see me through this evening.’’ Grayson conjured a grin. ‘‘I’m depending on you.’’
    ‘‘To what? Ensure you don’t go sneaking out through the kitchen door? Come. My sister and Albert are waiting for us in the drawing room, bless their hearts. I suggest we join them and present not only a united front when your intended arrives, but a contented domestic scene as well.’’
    The two men climbed the carpeted stairs to the spacious hall above, their steps thudding in companionable rhythm. ‘‘Seriously, Chad, thank you for arranging this evening. How did you manage it, by the way? I should have thought Thorngoode would prefer to face me down on his own turf.’’
    ‘‘Manage it?’’ Chad gave a sniff that made him sound rather like his butler. ‘‘All I had to do was send my card and my compliments, and dear Millicent Thorngoode was on me like sugar glaze on a roast goose. Oozing and sticky sweet.’’
    ‘‘But it’s my goose that’s cooked.’’ Grayson crossed the landing, heading for the drawing room.
    Chad stopped him just before the threshold. ‘‘Look, I consider both Thorngoodes as bordering on the absurd. Like caricatures in the Sunday papers. But to tell you the honest truth, I find their daughter charming.’’
    ‘‘The Painted Paramour? Charming is not a word that leaps to my mind.’’
    ‘‘She’s talented. She’s surprisingly intelligent. And she is beautiful.’’
    ‘‘As half of London has had the privilege of witnessing.’’
    Chad laughed. ‘‘Has it occurred to you that she might not be the demirep she’s reputed to be? After all, since when have you and