Read Desire by Blood for Free Online Page B

fathers, but no one had any idea who Cordelia's birth
father might be. The truth had died with her mother in the early morning hours
the day after Cordelia's birth. And now she had proven she had a lustful streak
like her mother.
    She was ruined in so many ways. She cared not a whit about
society, except that it was her meal ticket. And without access, she was one
week away from begging for food. There was a way…if she dared. It would require
ignoring the loss of her reputation and allowing society to think she was truly
like her mother. She shook her head. That just would not work. Cordelia would
never enter the demimonde , even if
she were pretending. It went against her nature.
    Wells, the Collingsworth town butler, opened the door to the
breakfast room. He sniffed in disapproval of her meager breakfast, but she
refused to give in. She would not have Cook make breakfast for a family of one.
Porridge and tea was enough for Cordelia and all she could afford.
    “A Mr. Blackburn is here to see you, my lady.” His voice
dripped with censure.
    At the mention of Nico, her heart turned over. Heat filled
her face at the thought of seeing him in the daylight.
    “My lady?”
    She glanced up at Wells and realized their old retainer was
staring at her with interest.
    “Y-yes, please show him in. We will need another setting for
him.”
    The look of horror that crossed over Wells' face almost made
her laugh. “Just bring the tea service out. I doubt that Mr. Blackburn will be
here to eat.”
    With another sniff of disapproval, Wells left. He returned a
moment later and announced Nico.
    Nico stepped into the breakfast room and everything that had
gone on the night before came rushing back to her. If possible, her face grew
even hotter. She had no idea what kind of conversation a lady had with a man
who had done such shocking, wonderful things to her…person.
    She rose from her seat as he approached her.
    “Lady Cordelia.” He took her offered hand and kissed her
fingers. The brief contact had her head spinning.
    “Won't you have a seat, Mr. Blackburn?”
    His lips quirked. “I believe I will, Lady Cordelia.”
    Wells appeared with the tea service.
    “I will serve, Wells.”
    He hesitated, his narrowed gaze telling her he was not happy
with leaving her alone with Mr. Blackburn. Cordelia was positive Wells would
include this in his report to her brother—not that Alex cared enough to stop
drinking. She did not waver her gaze. Wells sighed then bowed, leaving them
alone, though he left the door open.
    “Sugar or cream?”
    “Neither.”
    Setting her cup aside, she squared her shoulders and faced
him. “I know you did not come here for the refreshments.”
    The smile he offered her told her he had been testing her.
He placed the cup back on the saucer. “No. I have come to discuss our situation.”
    “Situation?”
    He studied her for a moment. “Indeed. By now, what happened
in the Smythe’s library has been recounted to every nosey dowager and debutante
in London. If not, it will be by sundown.”
    “Every detail?”
    She watched as his jaw flexed telling her he was grinding
his teeth again. It seemed he was always doing that around her. “Well, not
everything. Just...the particulars.”
    She could not help the snort that came out of her. “I'm
sorry, but I find that unbelievable.”
    He frowned. “You do not think that Lady Smythe did not tell
every gossipy hen she knows she found us in the room, your hair a mess, and
your dress...well, it did not look as it had earlier.”
    She waved that away. “No. I expect that to be making the
rounds this morning. It will probably end up in the gossip pages. Most people
expected that kind of behavior out of me a long time ago, if you must know.”
    A look of understanding lightened his eyes. “Yes. It is hard
to live up to society's expectations.”
    Her throat closed up, and tears burned the back of her eyes.
His voice had turned so gentle, as if he knew exactly what she