Sins of a Virgin Read Online Free Page A

like fine perfume. It wasn’t gaudy or overpowering, but rather a subtle fragrance that drew one closer to explore the complex notes.
    Her eyes lifted from the window, sweeping him with similar methodical intensity. And being male, part of him was very curious what she concluded.
    Hell. He didn’t want Miss Valdan. He wanted to catch a murderer. “What is it you require?” he asked, his voice curt even to his own ears.
    She shrugged, drawing his eyes to the luscious hint of bosom visible above the neckline of her cream-colored dress. “Contrary to what you obviously believe, Mr. Huntford, I’m not a fool. I need to be sure of two things—first and foremost, that the man who wins can pay. I need you to examine the bidders’ financial records and discover if they have the blunt to honor their bids.” She sat and straightened the papers on her desk. “I’m not going to hand over my virginity on the empty promise of being paid in the future. I want my money as soon as the deed is done.”
    Gabriel looked for any sign that she wasn’t as cold about the pronouncement as she appeared. But she met his gaze without flinching. He further resolved to ignore his baser urges. A woman who could sell her virginity without any hesitance must have ice in her veins.
    Or wasn’t truly a virgin.
    Yet that suspicion didn’t matter if she gained him access to what he needed. If he had his suspects’ financial records, there was a chance he’d be able to find some tie to both murders. The purchase of the mourning brooches, perhaps?
    Yet in his experience, gentlemen weren’t eager to part with anything, let alone their most private financial dealings. “What makes you think anyone will comply with your demand for proof?”
    “Because I’ll ask them.”
    Curse it. Perhaps it would be best to refuse the assignment after all. If that was her plan, she had about as much chance of succeeding as he did on his own. “And if they don’t agree, Miss Valdan?”
    The steady calm in her gaze fractured and she rose to her feet. She chewed nervously on her lip, leaving it moist and rosy. “Madeline. My name is Madeline.” She peered up at him with wide eyes. “They will agree, won’t they? I mean, it makes sense.” She placed her hand on his chest, its weight light, uncertain. “I didn’t want to do this, but what other option do I have? What lady would trust me in her house as a maid? And I’m not well-bred enough to be a governess.”
    Despite the seductive warmth of her touch, he wasn’t about to feel sorry for her. He removed her hand. “You chose this.”
    She drew in a deep breath. “You’re right. And I do have a plan.”
    “Your plan is to ask them?”
    “It’s a good plan. The men are gentlemen. They’ll honor their bets.” When her hands trembled, she tucked them behind her.
    Heaven save him from naive fools. Without her veneer of bravado, she appeared barely out of the schoolroom. “Just because they’re gentlemen doesn’t mean they’ll act like it.” He wanted to brush his thumb across her lower lip to save it from the abuse of her teeth, but he feared if he touched her lips, he’d want to touch the slender column of her throat. And once his fingers had skimmed over her throat, he’d be unable to stop them from dipping lower.
    And he wasn’t one of her lovesick swains.
    “You’ll help me?” She reached for him again but then dropped her hand as if afraid of rejection.
    The small sign of vulnerability ensnared him in a way her seductive glances never could. “I’ll do what I can.”
    Her breath came fast and shallow, causing her breasts to strain against her bodice. “I know.”
    He swallowed roughly as she leaned toward him. He needed to tell her he wasn’t interested. But when he spoke, his voice was raspy and deep. “Madeline—”
    She pulled back with quick determination. “That is why they’ll agree.”
    He stared at her through the muddled haze of lust. “What?”
    She dusted off the