Potent Charms Read Online Free Page A

dark-skinned boys with black
hair and eyes." Winston frowned, disapproval crossing his
face. "My God, does Elizabeth intend to dance with that
toad?"
    Stephen followed his friend's gaze to see to whom he
referred. Yes, Lord Hadlin definitely fell into the toad category. While listening absently to Winston ramble, Stephen
scanned the rest of the crowded room for any sign of Miss
Rafferty. She was nowhere to be seen.
    "I apologize for asking you to come tonight," said Winston.
    "Hmmm." Where the devil had the girl disappeared to?
    Winston tapped Stephen on the shoulder, shifting his
gaze between his friend and his wife. "This pillar carries
on a better conversation than you. You're caught up to your
elbows in something. What's going on?"
    Not yet prepared to explain anything in detail, Stephen
smoothed his mustache several times. "I heard you, Win ston. You apologized. No harm done. Although I prefer my
privacy, I grew accustomed to society's scrutiny long ago.
It's never stopped me from doing what I wanted in the past
and it certainly won't in the future."

    "If you spent more time in London, the speculation
would lessen. People love mystery."
    "Perhaps. Do you happen to know a Phoebe Rafferty?"
Stephen was eager to change the subject.
    Winston's brows rose and his blue eyes gleamed with
speculation. "The heiress?"
    Now this was an unexpected surprise. "What do you
mean heiress?" asked Stephen.
    "You know, rich, wealthy, unusually attractive dowry.
Why do you ask?"
    "Then you've met her?"
    "Not exactly. Elizabeth heard rumblings of a newcomer
to town with an inheritance up for bid, so to speak. And
you know Elizabeth. She talked with Charity Goodliffe
tonight. Evidently, the American girl arrived last week.
Hildegard Goodliffe is her aunt."
    Unfortunately, Stephen knew Lady Goodliffe from previous business dealings with her now-deceased husband.
The censure that curled his lips couldn't be stopped.
"More's the pity."
    "My thoughts exactly. Do you know this American?"
    "What else did Elizabeth glean from her conversation
with Charity?"
    Pushing himself away from the pillar, Winston placed
his hands on his hips. "I refuse to answer another question
until you tell me what this is all about."
    The last thing Stephen needed was interference, but he
wanted answers. He pursed his lips and chose his words
carefully. "I met Miss Rafferty tonight and I simply wish to
know a bit more about the girl."
    "Really?"

    Knowing his friend's desire to see him remarried and
noting the all-too-eager expression on Winston's face,
Stephen gave him a scowl. "Don't go looking for something that's not there."
    "Relax, my friend. I am not ready to summon the vicar."
Winston waggled his eyebrows. "Yet. I've to meet the girl
first. I haven't seen you talking to anyone, and you disappeared almost as quickly as you arrived. Where did you see
her?"
    "Wyman's private study."
    "Surely you jest."
    When Stephen shook his head, Winston's mouth fell
slack. His friend's stunned reaction almost made Stephen
laugh. Almost.
    "Now, I must say, you've succeeded in piquing my
curiosity. What the devil was she doing in Wyman's
library? For that matter, what were you doing in Wyman's
library? My goodness, I appreciate a naked woman as well
as the next gent, but I find that room exceedingly..."
    "Crude?" interjected Stephen.
    "Precisely."
    "It was the one room in which I believed I would find
privacy until you made your announcement. Evidently she
had the same intention, lost her way and found the study
by accident."
    "No wonder you want to know more about the girl."
Winston rubbed his hands in delight. "We must talk with
Elizabeth."
    Stephen grabbed his friend's arm before the entire situation spiraled out of control. "Listen well. I met this girl. We
had a simple conversation. Nothing else happened. She
made a rather odd statement and I wish to ascertain her
true circumstance. Nothing else. Do you understand?"
    Winston's