Read To Love a Scoundrel for Free Online Page B

champagne and offered one to the dance hall girl. "To you . What's your name, sugar?''
    Accepting the drink, she giggled again. "Lilly—but not because I'm lily pure. I'm more the 'gilded' type."
    "I'll drink to that." Brent clinked his glass against hers and downed the sparkling wine in one gulp.
    Placing his index finger under Lilly's chin, he regarded her. "Say, you know what? You remind me of someone. A little dance hall gal from Chicago named... named—" Brent snapped his fingers and shook his head. "Funny, her name escapes me, but it was something like Opal. No, that's not it—Ruby? No. Maybe it was Esmeralda. No. Oh, Well. It was some kind of jewel—say, that's it. Her name was Jewel."
    "So?" Lilly shrugged. "Why do you mention her when you got me?"
    "Why indeed?" Brent said, slapping his knee. "Why, that gal couldn't hold a candle to a beauty like you. She had blond fuzzy hair, but I happen to know," he added, his laugh low and bawdy, "her real hair color is kind of reddish brown, if you know what I mean."
    "Oh, I got you all right." Lilly giggled. "You're a bad one, you are."
    Beneath the bed, Jewel fumed. And she resumed praying: Please, God. If you'll just let me at him for ten minutes, I swear I'll never ask for another thing.
    "And Jewel's eyes—they're really strange," Brent continued, enjoying himself immensely. "They're sort of pea green, but when she wears her glasses, they look a lot like some sowbelly I once had go bad on me."
    Five minutes, God, Jewel prayed. Just five minutes and a bull whip. That's all I ask.
    "Say, if this gal is such a mess, why do you keep talkin' about her?"
    "Oh, I don't know, Lilly. It sure isn't because I found her attractive. It must be because the wretched little thief stuck a knife in me."
    "Oh, you poor man," Lilly gasped. "Where?"
    "Would you really like to see? It's in kind of a private spot, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to show you. Maybe you can kiss it and make it all better for me." Brent moved around on the mattress, more for effect than anything.
    Beneath the bed, the prayers ceased: All right, that's it. I don't care what happens to this assignment, I am not going to lie here and listen to that dandy assault that cheap saloon girl any more than I'm going to listen to her moan and groan and tell him how wonderful he is. Allan, forgive me, but—
    A loud pounding at the door cut off Jewel's thoughts and the movement above her.
    "Hold your horses," Brent called as he climbed off the bed. "I'm coming." When he opened the door, Mac stood in the entry, his hat in his hand.
    "Excuse me, Mr. Connors. I don't mean to disturb you, but you seemed so sickly when you left the table, I thought I'd look in on you."
    "Well, that's right neighborly of you, old boy." He slapped Mac on the back, pulling him into the room in the same movement. "Isn't that the most neighborly thing you've ever heard of, Lilly girl?"
    Mac looked around the gambler's broad shoulders to the woman perched on the bed. It wasn't Jewel. Somehow he and his partner had managed to miss each other going to and from their suite—or she was still trapped here in this room. He took a quick inventory. If she had been trapped, she would have to be in the closet or under the bed. Whatever had happened to her, he knew there was nothing he could do but leave.
    Mac replaced his hat and covered his concern with a friendly smile. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. Connors. I didn't realize you had company. I'll just be going."
    Lose someone? Brent thought before he trusted himself to speak to the other half of this obvious team of thieves. "Thanks for worrying about me, but as you can see, I'm well taken care of. Lilly here is known for her... massages. If she can't get rid of my headache, nothing will. Have a pleasant evening. See you tomorrow."
    "Ah, yes. Good night," Mac sputtered as he backed out of the room.
    Suddenly angry, Brent had to restrain himself to keep from slamming the door. After closing it quietly, he