Page 12 of Mikhail
“Of course.” She followed him, ready to explain that toadstones weren’t actually stones but fossilized and polished fish teeth. The Elizabethans loved to wear the teeth as rings to ward off contagions. It was little facts like that which made her job as a gemologistfascinating.
As Piper trailed behind Mr. Thorne, she sighed. The party would go for another two hours at least. She had a long time to wait to see if Mikhail was going to come back tonight after the guests had gone. She prayed he would, or else she’d spend the rest of her life dreaming about where that amazing kiss might’veled.
5
That was the deep uncanny mine ofsouls,
Like veins of silver ore, theysilently
Moved through its massive darkness. Blood welled up among the roots, on its way to the world of men, and in the dark it looked as hard asstone.
Nothing else wasred.
—Rainer MariaRilke
Barty Winston seethedas Piper Linwood walked away fromhim.
Little American bitchthinks she’s something special. Too good to talk to me—that much isobvious.
But not for long. He’d made a deal with the devil tonight, and soon he’d be rich enough to take whatever he wanted, includingher.
“Is that the woman?” a deep voice asked behind him. Barty jumped, startling a passing footman who barely avoided dropping his tray of empty champagne flutes before continuing on his way. Barty gave a short nod, afraid to look over his shoulder at the man lurking behindhim.
Conrad Sinclair was a tall, imposing man of six foot three, with jet-black hair and eyes just as dark. But Barty never liked to look at him directly; there was something almost serpentine in the way Conrad never blinked, not even once. And there was something unnerving about a man in his thirties who behaved in such an old-fashioned way, yet he didn’t seem to be posing or pretending to be something he wasn’t. That was part of the reason why Barty was afraid of him. Nothing about him madesense.
It didn’t help that he was also one of the most powerful men in the country by virtue of his office as a member of the British Parliament. And if the rumors were true, soon he’d bethemost powerful when he became the prime minister during the nextelection.
Ever since the jewels had been uncovered, Conrad had been keeping discreet tabs on their location and condition. He had donated a hefty sum to the museum to obtain a donor’s opportunity to see the exhibit privately and attend the auction and presaleparty.
“You did not tell me she was so beautiful.” Conrad stood beside him and placed a hand on Barty’s shoulder, forcing Barty to turn sideways to look athim.
After a panicked gulp, Barty nodded. “Y-yes, Ms. Linwood is very pretty. If you enjoy that sort of dumpy look.” Which he did, although he would’ve preferred her tall, leggy brunette friend instead. But she was clearly out of his league. Piper seemed more like an achievable conquest, which made her rejection sting all themore.
Conrad inhaled deeply, and his eyes seemed to redden in color, like blood mixed inoil.
“She’spure…” The word escaped his lips in a low growl that sent shivers stabbing down Barty’sspine.
“Pure?” Barty’s gaze darted to Piper, who stood next to Mr. Thorne, the owner of the auction house, and a couple who were admiring a display oftoadstones.
Conrad inhaled again and closed his eyes. “Yes.Untouched.”
“What? You mean you think she’sa…”
“A virgin.” Conrad’s eyes opened, and his smile was cold and almost vicious as he flashed white teeth. “And I do not think. Iknow.”
“Really?” Barty’s mouth fell open. Untouched. The thought made his cock harden in hisslacks.
“I will take her, in addition to the jewels,” Conradannounced.
“What?” Barty sputtered. “ButI—”
“She will be mine if you wish to receive the money I promised you.” Conrad continued to watch Piper, who was smiling and then laughing at something the couple she was with had said. The sound was light and sweet. Barty scowled. He’d wanted her far longer than Conrad. But there was no way he could go against the man’s wishes. His very tone conveyed a steadfast certainty of this being hisright.
“The auction takes place in three days. I suggest we move up our date to tomorrow evening,” Barty said. “Both Piper and her colleague will have access to the jewels while they are here in the auction house. They plan to do some last-minuteexaminations.”
Conrad twisted a thick gold-banded signet ring on his pinky finger as he gazed hungrily atPiper.
“Tomorrow is acceptable. I will send men to collect the jewels and the girl. Once I have them, you will receive payment.” Conrad grabbed a champagne glass from a young footman who’d paused beside them. The moment Conrad had his glass, the young man dartedaway.
