Seduction in Mind

'And well he should after what he did to me. I was an innocent when I met him, and now-' She affected an anguished look. She'd dressed today in a gown suitable to her virtuous pose, a white muslin buttoned to the neck.

'He paid your gambling debts as well,' Farris said brusquely, not taken in by her false modesty.

Squeezing out a tear, she waited until it ran down her cheek for all to see. 'I was only trying to raise enough money to support my dear brother and myself after we were cast out on the world by the infamous man.'

'Considering the content of the accusations in question, perhaps the viscount would be willing to offer my client more than a thousand pounds,' Collins interposed. He, too, knew what Ranelagh was worth. Although the viscount's disregard for scandal had to be taken into consideration as well.

'I could authorize another five hundred,' Farris said. 'But that would be my limit. The lady may not wish too- close scrutiny into her life as well. I suggest you take it.'

'Surely you're not questioning my virtue,' Farida retorted heatedly.

'I'm not, miss, but the viscount is. There's a possibility we could publish our own account of your relationship with Lord Ranelagh.'

'But would you,' she said with a degree of composure both barristers marveled at. Neither man had any illusions about the lady's character.

'If it were necessary.'

'Farida!' Mahmud blurted out, his agitation plain.

'Leave the room!' she ordered, her voice sharp as a knife.

The young man jumped from his chair and immediately withdrew from the parlor.

'Now then,' she said calmly as the door closed on her brother. She slowly surveyed the two lawyers. 'Where were we?'

The brother had been frightened. Farris took the initiative. 'Fifteen hundred is a very generous offer, miss. The sale of your house will bring you a goodly sum as well. Not to mention the jewelry Lord Ranelagh purchased for you.'

'You don't understand. I want a better house in Cairo, and my brother Wants his racehorses back, and none of that is possible on fifteen hundred. Perhaps Lord Ranelagh doesn't understand the explicit nature of my story.'

'I must tell you, in all good conscience, that Lord Ranelagh is-how do I say this-rather indifferent to public opinion. Had you had a-er-relationship with some other member of the nobility, perhaps your accusations would have been more damning. But the viscount is immune to censure.'

'Then, why are you here?'

'I'm here, young lady, to make an offer for you to leave England because the viscount would like that. But if you chose not to or should you not agree to a reasonable sum, he is quite ready to have you publish whatever you wish. And I expect you know him well enough to understand that.'

'I'd suggest you consider Mr. Farris's offer,' Collins said. Ranelagh had lived with scandal much of his adult life. His offer was more than generous, and if the young lady doubted Ranelagh would say publish and be damned, he didn't.

'Double it and I'll agree.'

Collins masked his surprise. Farris said, 'Five hundred more.'

'A thousand,' she countered.

'Seven hundred fifty.'

'Done. I'd like it in cash.' She stood and smiled at the two men. 'It was a pleasure, gentlemen.'

'You won't receive your money until you reach Egypt,' Farris reminded her.

She hesitated briefly. 'Then I'll need three hundred for travel.'

'Agreed.'

'Three hundred extra if you're going to make me wait for my money.'

This time Farris hesitated, concerned she would continue to have additional requests.

'You don't expect me to travel in steerage, do you?'

'The sale of your house should preclude that necessity.'

'I was under the impression you wished me to leave immediately, Collins will have to sell my house in my absence.'

'Very well. Three hundred extra. A ship sails for Cairo next week.'

'That should be time enough,' she said ambiguously, and turned to leave.

'Collins will draw up the papers. Sign them before you leave.'

She glanced back over her shoulder. 'You English are always so precise. Of course, I'll sign any papers you like,' she replied casually. 'I wish you good fortune, gentlemen. This has been a very profitable afternoon.'

Chapter Twenty-two

A note from Farris arrived at the apartment in the Adelphi as Sam and Alex were finishing Claude's excellent dinner.

'Something bad?' Alex queried, taking note of Sam's expression.

'Not anymore,' he said, crumpling the paper. Although he wouldn't be entirely satisfied until he heard Farida had reached Egypt.

'That sounds ominous.'

'I'm sorry. It isn't… just some unfinished business.'

'Some woman is hounding you, I suppose.' At his look of surprise, she realized her facetious remark had struck a nerve.

'Not anymore,' he said again.

'It's none of my business, I'm sure.'

'I'm sure it's not.'

'What if I'm curious?'

He leaned back in his chair and gazed at her from under his lashes. 'Too bad.'

Resting her elbows on the table, she steepled her fingers under her chin and smiled at him. 'Then maybe I might be inclined to say too bad to something you might like-later on…'

'Are you threatening to withhold sex?' He grinned. 'Is this the same woman who came four times on the drive into the City?'

'I could if I wanted to.'

'No, you couldn't.'

'Tell me anyway.' She stuck her tongue out. 'I want to know what's in the note.'

'What do I get if I tell you?'

'My undying affection.'

He smiled. 'You'll have to do better than that.'

'Something more tangible?'

'Tangible is fine.'

'Something tangible and sexual?'

'There's a combination.'

'I'll do it. Now tell me.'

'Aren't you supposed to be coy and unwilling for an indeterminate time and then capitulate?'

'Aren't you interested in having sex with me ever again?' she replied pointedly.

'Then don't get angry with what I tell you.'

'I won't.'

His dark eyes took on a sardonic cast. 'I didn't realize you were so impossibly curious.'

'And I didn't realize you could be so impossibly difficult.'

Inhaling slowly, he debated whether it would be wise to bring up Farida again.

'I'm waiting.'