Patricia Veryan - [Sanguinet Saga 09] - Logic Of The Heart Read Online Free

said
dubiously.
    "A veritable Venus!" Trent paced forward, lifting a jewelled
quizzing glass and scanning her from head to toe with bold admiration.
    A glint came into Mrs. Henley's candid grey eyes. "I expect,"
she said in her calm way, "when you have finished with your
impertinence, you will tell me why you are here—gentlemen."
    Trent chuckled. "A spirited Venus, you'll note, Poll," he
remarked. "Just how I like 'em."
    "Perhaps," Mrs. Henley turned her gaze to Pollinger, "you can
be more lucid, Mr. Poll."
    Pollinger's shifty brown eyes fell away before her cool stare.
"Do but mark the hauteur of it, dear boy," he sneered, with a giggle
that did not equate with a man of his size and years.
    "And—the shape," murmured Trent, the quizzing glass busy again.
    "Good day—gentlemen," said Mrs. Henley, contempt in her voice.
    "No, no! You cannot throw us out, m'dear," drawled Trent,
sauntering nearer. "Ain't polite. 'Sides, we ain't been so much as
introduced as yet. Allow me, ma'am, to present my friend, Sir Dennis
Pollinger."
    Sir Dennis offered a great flourishing bow.
    "Silly fellow," murmured Trent, amused.
    "I expect you know best," said Mrs. Henley tranquilly.
    "Be dashed!" protested Sir Dennis.
    Trent laughed. "And I am Junius Trent," he said, bowing also.
"May I assume we address Mrs. Burke Henley? I was—acquainted with your
late husband, ma'am."
    She met his mocking gaze levelly. "Yes. I had heard you shared
his weakness for gaming."
    "Hah!" roared Pollinger, vastly diverted. "That gave you back
your own, Junius!"
    Trent pointed out, "It is only a weakness does one lose, dear
ma'am. And your husband, regrettably, did so often—lose. Save, 'twould
appear, in one respect."
    The famous blue eyes were slithering over her again. Mrs.
Henley began to feel soiled. "You will forgive me if I cut short this
fascinating conversation. Friends are waiting for me, and—"
    "They must be waiting a long way off," said Trent, drifting
ever closer, "for we saw no sign of 'em as we rode up. And why anyone
should wish to be any distance from your lovely self…"
    Mrs. Henley stepped back. "You oblige me to be blunt, sir. Say
what it is your master sent you to say, and then be so good as to
leave."
    "Your
master
," hooted Pollinger,
slapping his thigh delightedly. "There's a rib tickler, by Jove!"
    "I was given to understand," said Mrs. Henley, her pulse
quickening as she saw the sudden glint in Trent's eyes, "that you are
come in behalf of Lord Montclair, who seems to labour under the
delusion that I live here illegally."
    "What sauce, and for such a pretty mouth," said Trent. With a
sudden pounce he was facing the widow at the foot of the stairs. He put
his right hand on the baluster beside her, and said smilingly, "Lord
Montclair is perfectly right, m'dear. This house is part of the
Longhills estate."
    Mrs. Henley slipped one hand into her pocket and closed her
fingers around the reassuring butt of the pistol. "My father-in-law
purchased this property long ago, and—"
    "Ah, but he cancelled the sale, and sold Highperch back to
Lady Digby Montclair. Had you—ah, forgot that trifle?"
    "To the contrary, sir. My man of business in London has a copy
of the Deed, and it—"
    "Was found to be in error, ma'am."
    "Which is why," pointed out Pollinger, grinning, "her la'ship
returned Henley's funds and voided the sale."
    "So… much as I regret it," said Trent softly, "you must go
away, pretty one. Montclair might be willing to—"
    She stepped back once more but even as he spoke, like a
striking snake, his left arm shot out and trapped her against the stair
railing. He smiled down at her seductively. "You are not exactly
beautiful. At least, not in the accepted sense. You are too tall, but
most generously formed. And although your hair should be curled it is
exceeding silky, and I like the way it comes to that charming peak in
the centre of your brow. Let's have your hat off," he reached up, "so I
can better admire it."
    "Let's have your