Read For Her Spy Only (Entangled Scandalous) for Free Online Page B

of things. Hell, when he and Sarah had gotten betrothed, he’d simply looked at her and said, “Our parents said we’re a good match.” And he’d left it at that. Of course their parents had been the only reason they’d married in the first place.
    Now Winifred was coming to dinner. If he were a gentleman, he’d propose marriage and not a carnal affair. But he wasn’t good at marriage and he knew he could never provide the things Winifred would need. He’d never been good with people, and he suspected he’d be even worse with children, so he couldn’t offer her a new life. But he could offer her pleasure.
    He found he not only craved physical touch, but her physical touch. An affair was the perfect solution. But that would not solve her problem with her son’s guardian. For that, Alistair would need to pay the man a visit.
    Doing so should eliminate the man’s interest in Winifred. She’d assured Alistair that this guardian was only after money, and she had no interest in pursuing a relationship with him. If she didn’t want the man and he’d expressed no interest in her son outside the financials, then it was time the man was convinced his attentions were required elsewhere.
    As his carriage rolled to a stop outside of Reginald Mirren’s cousin’s home, Alistair planned what he’d tell the man. He was inclined to merely threaten him, but perhaps he would start with logic and see where that led him.
    He rapped on the door with his cane and waited. Several minutes later a wizened housekeeper came to the door. She looked up at him, and her thin, white brows rose. “Yes?”
    “I need to see Mr. Mirren.” He handed her his calling card.
    Her eyes widened. “Come in, my lord.” She led him to a tiny parlor at the front of the house. The furniture was faded but well kept. She left him, and not a minute later, his host entered the room.
    “My lord,” Virgil said with an exaggerated bow. “To what do I owe this visit?”
    Alistair realized instantly that what little money this bloke had, he spent entirely on clothing. His embroidered green coat hung perfectly over the man’s purple and green striped breeches. If all it would take was money…
    “We have a friend in common,” Alistair said.
    “Indeed? Who is it?” Virgil took a seat, but looked so ill at ease, he appeared as if he’d jump up from his chair at any moment.
    “Mrs. Winifred Mirren, your cousin’s late wife.”
    “Ah, sweet Winnie. She’s a delight, is she not?”
    “She is to marry me. I shall see to it that you are paid handsomely for staying out of her and her son’s life. Should they require your assistance, I’m certain Winifred”—he emphasized her full Christian name—“would know how to reach you.”
    “I was not aware that Winifred had another suitor.” Virgil’s features pinched. “How handsomely?”
    “We can start with three thousand pounds, and if I am pleased with your absence, then perhaps you shall see more.” Alistair stood to his full height and tapped his cane on the wood floor. “But I will not hesitate to return here should the situation arise.”
    “Three thousand pounds, that is quite generous.” He stood and eagerly pumped Alistair’s hand in an entirely too friendly handshake. “I can see now that you will be able to care for Winifred and her son in a way that I cannot. Obviously she is better suited with you.” Well suited . That’s what everyone had said about him and Sarah. But their union had been a disaster. Alistair forced the thought from his mind and instructed Virgil that the monies would be delivered by the end of the week. He could only imagine what audacious clothing the man would purchase with that much coin in his pocket.
    Informing Winifred that she need not concern herself with Virgil any longer should aid in Alistair’s campaign to seduce her back into his bed.
    …
    Winifred knew that if she did not accept Alistair’s invite to accompany him for dinner, he would merely