The Seduction of an English Scoundrel Read Online Free Page A

the shaving water earlier this morning. Seeing as Sir Nigel’s carriage was still on the premises, everyone assumed he’d gone for an early-morning walk to calm his nerves.”
    â€œAnd never returned,” Grayson said in contempt, his opinion of his cousin lowering by the minute. It might have been better all the way around if Nigel had been run over by a hackney or some sort of ridiculous excuse for leaving that young woman at the altar.
    â€œI suppose there is still the possibility of foul play,” Weed said doubtfully.
    Grayson’s brother, Heath, sauntered up to the other side of the chair. “What has happened?” he asked quietly, smiling at the guests who watched him, matrons marking him as a desirable target for their unwed daughters, assuming his elusive heart could be caught. The marquess, of course, would rank first on their list, but no eligible young woman had yet attracted his eye, either, although many had gone to preposterous lengths in this pursuit.
    The taming of the Boscastle clan and ensuing matrimonial capture challenged a good many of the ton’s wedlock-obsessed mamas. All that wealth, those excessive good looks, their generosity to the few they held dear . . .
    â€œNigel’s gone missing on us,” Grayson said, his tapered fingers curled around the scrolled stem of his glass.
    â€œMissing?” Heath gave a cynical laugh. “In the middle of London on his wedding day? I do not think so.”
    Grayson arched his brow. “Nor do I. The point is, he cannot be found. The question remains, why.”
    Heath folded his arms across his chest. “We shall need a Bow Street man.”
    â€œNo,” Grayson said quietly, torn between family loyalty and the odd sense of responsibility he felt for the whole unhappy affair. If Belshire’s daughter had thrown a tantrum or wept piteously, he might not have been so touched by her abandonment. But her composed acceptance challenged him to defend her. Why? He wasn’t sure. Perhaps because no one else appeared likely to assume that role.
    He added, “If the rascal has decamped on us and is not lying dead in a gutter, it is and shall remain a family affair.”
    â€œYes,” Heath murmured. “And so we keep it quiet. Well, as quiet as possible considering the fact that half of London already knows by now what he did.”
    Grayson’s eyes narrowed. He’d never had any patience with the small-mindedness of society. It brought out a beastly urge in him to act on his most shocking impulses just to show he did not care. The trouble was, he was no longer the prodigal son who could behave however he pleased.
    He said, “Gossip is best dealt with by being ignored. His parents are utterly crushed, to say nothing of the bride. I suppose it’s up to me to smooth things down for the family.”
    â€œYou, Gray, a peacemaker? Now there’s a lightning bolt from the heavens. I do believe I like it.”
    None of the six remaining siblings had accustomed themselves to the drastic shift the past year had wrought in the Boscastle hierarchy. Their father had appeared in excellent health until two months before his death. Everyone had expected the old tyrant to go on for decades. And when their youngest brother, Brandon, had been killed while protecting British interests in Nepal, it seemed impossible such a hale young man would not return.
    The family had still not recovered from the shock. The reins of responsibility had been tossed into Grayson’s lap before he realized quite what had happened. In fact, he had been on his way to China when the news of his father’s untimely demise was delivered.
    Almost overnight he had been forced to abandon his private pursuits and settle his abundant energy on the management of his vast estates. Boxing, drinking, steeplechasing, traveling to exotic lands in the name of business would have to wait. His time was taken up with finances, family