Master of Love Read Online Free Page B

are now in possession of a truly stunning collection. There are some treasures in that library; I found the most gorgeous hand-tooled and illuminated Spanish Bible just this morning. It must be three hundred years old. All this poses a significant responsibility, both for me to do the collection justice and for you to care for it into posterity.”
    â€œWe shall each have to ensure the other remains committed to the task, although I am most certain that you, my dear”—he bowed toward her—“would never waver from your responsibility.” He traced a quick finger along her cheekbone and ended with a tap on her nose. “You have the look of responsibility all over you.”
    She pursed her lips into a disapproving line and stepped back.
    A mistake, apparently, as it seemed to lure him in closer—close enough to lean in and murmur in her ear, “Who are you, Miss Higginbotham?”
    â€œAs you well know”—she kept her gaze firmly fixed across the room—“I am a book dealer and, by arrangement at the moment, your librarian. Certainly no one of any particular interest to you.”
    â€œOdd; I find you quite fascinating.”
    A quick sideways glance caught him smiling at her over the rim of his glass. She felt her face grow hot. “My lord, I am here to carry out a commission. I can permit nothing, including your reputation, to jeopardize my successful completion of this task.”
    â€œTo what reputation do you refer?”
    â€œYour life path of seduction is rather common knowledge,” she replied tartly. “Although lamentable, it is, I suppose, only to be expected that a man with your particular physical endowments and the leisure of your class would find no higher calling than to dedicate himself to a life of pleasure.” She took a small self-congratulatory sip after that little speech.
    His eyes narrowed and his tone turned lazy. “What fine sanctimony, Miss Higginbotham. But on what basis, may I inquire, would a respectable spinster librarian such as you judge my ‘physical endowments’?”
    â€œMy lord, this game is beneath you,” she said, her words clipped. “Surely you have far better hunting among the ladies of the bon ton . ”
    â€œActually, I find they have little to offer.”
    â€œCompared to them, I have nothing to offer and far too much to lose.” She turned fully toward him, trying hard to hang on to her pique like a shield. “I am not a . . . a light-skirt, sir. People depend upon me. I cannot let them down.”
    â€œI think you underestimate your charms, my dear Miss Higginbotham. But you have nothing to fear from me. I’m no seducer of lambs, nor do I compromise the help.”
    It was a deliberate insult. She couldn’t help her sharp intake of breath but worked to gather herself quickly behind a rigid façade. “Of course, my lord.”
    Lady Barrington came up and laid a manicured hand on Lord Rexton’s arm. “Miss Higginbotham, how went your little labors with the books this morning?”
    Callista clenched her glass stem and greeted her with a small nod. “Well, my lady.”
    â€œExcellent. Rex and I,” the lady said, patting the viscount’s arm, “will be at the Duchess of Worchester’s ball this evening. I’ll be sure to let her know about your services. I expect she’ll be most interested in learning of your work here. Her Grace enjoys reading those lady writers’ novels and might well have a commission for you.”
    â€œThank you. Your ladyship is too kind.” Kind indeed, to waste no time in starting the rumor mill to churn.
    â€œNot at all.” Lady Barrington’s lips curled in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Some of the ton might be a tad shocked, I’m afraid, and rather old-fashioned about such things as the working classes and young women keeping to their proper places. But