Read Man of My Dreams for Free Online

cares aside for simple peace and relaxation. But he could not envision any peace with someone like her around, and at the moment, he was a bundle of nerves just waiting for her to walk in, which was utterly absurd. He would simply have to find somewhere else to bury himself—and let her think she had run him off? Not bloody likely.
    Those friendly brown eyes came back to Devlin again. Hers had been the darkest blue of midnight. And not the least bit friendly.
    “This horse he mentions as an excuse for your being here sounds frightfully expensive. Do I actually have to buy it?” the squire asked.
    Devlin sighed, grateful to have something else to think about. “No, sir, Caesar isn’t for sale. You only have to say you bought him, for anyone who asks.”
    Penworthy frowned worriedly. “I’m not very good at that sort of thing. Tongue gets tripped up over the littlest falsehood.”
    Would that we all had that problem , Devlin thought with a touch of amusement. “There is no reason for you to be uncomfortable with this arrangement. I will merely grant you temporary ownership of Caesar in return for your hospitality, said ownership to be relinquishedupon my departure. A gentleman’s agreement. Is that satisfactory?”
    “Then I would actually own the animal? I wouldn’t be lying if I said so?”
    “You would be speaking the absolute truth, sir.”
    The squire smiled in relief. “My, won’t Megan be surprised.”
    Devlin pounced. “Megan?”
    “M’daughter,” the squire replied. “She has an uncommon appreciation for fine horseflesh—uncommon for a girl, that is. Her own horse—”
    “I feel I should warn you, sir, that I’ve already had a run-in with your daughter, and she took an instant dislike to me, though I can’t for the life of me figure why. I don’t usually have that effect on the ladies.”
    The squire chuckled as he took in Devlin’s features again. “No, I don’t imagine you do.”
    “It might be necessary to point out to her that I come with Caesar and so can’t be dismissed.”
    “Took that much of a dislike to you, did she?”
    “That was my impression.”
    “Well, since you do come with the horse, and I’ve just bought the animal, there’s no question of dismissal—not that I could dismiss you, mind, since you don’t actually work for me.” The squire frowned then, not quite sure he had that right. Then he digressed. “I’ve spoiled her, you know. First to admit it. Justcan’t seem to say no to her. But I’ll be firm in this case. It’s not every day I get asked a favor by the likes of him ,” he ended, nodding at the letter.
    There had never been any doubt of the answer, but Devlin asked out of courtesy, “Then the arrangement is acceptable to you, sir?”
    “Absolutely, Mr. Jefferys.” The squire smiled. “Most happy to oblige.”
    “And I needn’t point out that this must be kept in strictest confidence? Not even your family is to know my true reason for being here.”
    “No need to worry about that. There’s just m’self and Megan.”
    “Then she isn’t married?” Devlin could have sworn he wasn’t going to ask that question. “What I mean is, do you have a son-in-law who might question you about suddenly starting up a stud farm?”
    “No, not yet I don’t, though I expect it won’t be long now—stud farm, you say? Does that mean I’ll be buying more animals?”
    “A few mares—what do you mean, it won’t be long now? Is she engaged?”
    “Who?”
    “Your daughter.”
    The squire’s brow knit, showing his difficulty in keeping up with the double subjects. “M’daughter ain’t, last I heard—no, no, I’m sure she ain’t. She’d tell me if she was, don’t you think?”
    Devlin hoped they were speaking of the same thing. “Yes, certainly.”
    “But you met her. Can’t help but notice she’s a pretty girl, can you? And she’s having her come-out in London shortly. No, I expect it won’t be long after that.”
    Megan Penworthy in