Intimate betrayal adrienne basso download

This rousing romance will enchant series fans and win over new readers. Media Intimate Betrayal. Intimate Betrayal ebook By Adrienne Basso. Save Not today. Format ebook. Author Adrienne Basso. Publisher eKensington. Release 01 January Subjects Fiction Romance Historical Fiction. By the time she reached an age to be introduced into society, her father was too far in debt to consider wasting money on a lavish coming-out season in London. Consequently, at 24 Alyssa was unmarried, with no prospects and a realistic acceptance of her life as a spinster.

She never let on if this upset her, because she had taken on a far more formidable task than marriage—the running of the estate. It was an unlikely occupation for a young woman, but Alyssa embraced her role in her usual forthright manner. She did not hesitate to ask for help from those she trusted, the men who worked and lived on the tenant farms for generations. Her knowledge increased steadily over the years and in some instances surpassed those men who taught her.

The estate flourished under her guidance, and her tenants, skeptical at first, embraced her heartily for her fairness and genuine feeling for the land and its people. Alyssa was pleased with her success, and although the burdens became almost overwhelming at times, she felt useful and accomplished. The only dark clouds appeared when her father would make an unexpected visit.

Lord Carrington was constantly looking for funds, indulging in too much drink, insulting the servants, and generally making a nuisance of himself. Thankfully his visits were short and well spaced. Alyssa was taking another bite of the scrumptious apple tart when the butler, Perkins, suddenly appeared in the doorway.

She immediately noticed he was wearing his coat and gloves. The piece of pastry fell to her stomach like a stone. Perkins only wore formal attire when there was a stranger at the manor. And strangers only came to collect on gambling debts. He is in the front salon, Lady Alyssa, Perkins informed her quietly, reading the stricken look on her face. Stratton turned sharply, watching Alyssa with anxious eyes.

It is always the same, Alyssa thought miserably, feeling the tension building in the room. Did this gentleman give his name? She questioned, slowly rising to her feet. This was very unusual. Only the truly desperate men came themselves; most sent a secretary or lawyer to collect on the markers Jeremy Carrington wagered when he ran short of funds but refused to leave the gaming tables.

Do you think he really is a duke? Perkins thoughtfully considered the question before responding. He gave the impression we were expecting him, yet he arrived alone, without servants.

This was odd, Alyssa thought. Thank you, Perkins. I shall attend our duke at once. Alyssa quietly followed the butler through the kitchen and up to the main entrance hall. Pausing a brief moment outside the salon door, she successfully conquered an almost uncontrollable urge to turn and flee.

Taking several deep breaths to steady her nerves, Alyssa finally nodded slightly, and Perkins opened the door. She entered the room soundlessly and stood in the doorway. She remained unobserved until the door closed behind her. At the sound, the duke turned expectantly. She saw surprise register briefly in his face before his features took on a questioning look. Alyssa nearly gasped aloud as she got her first good look at him.

The elegant man standing before her was unlike anyone she had ever seen, or even imagined. His hard masculine presence seemed to fill the room, and Alyssa found herself unwittingly staring at his bronzed face, admiring the finely chiseled features.

The duke was a tall man, powerfully built, with broad shoulders and muscular legs. He was dressed impeccably in a slate-blue double-breasted coat, fitted snugly over a high-collared white waistcoat and accented with a faultlessly tied cravat. His fawn-colored leather breeches clung tightly to his legs and fitted expertly into his polished black knee-high Hessian boots. His hair was jet black in color, cut close to his head and curling slightly at the ends. He took several steps closer and Alyssa became captivated by his hypnotic silver-gray eyes.

He was positively beautiful. This stranger was such a cut above the usual men her father associated with, Alyssa felt certain she misjudged his reason for visiting Westgate Manor.

Forcefully shaking herself out of her admiring stupor, Alyssa spoke. Good afternoon, Your Grace. I see Perkins has provided you with some refreshment. She gracefully inclined her head toward the half-empty glass of brandy he held.

Is there anything further we may bring you? I was expecting Viscount Mulgrave, the duke replied in confusion. Or if he is unavailable, perhaps the estate agent can be summoned. If this beautiful stranger wanted to see the estate agent, he wanted a gambling debt settled. Unconsciously she let out a sigh of disappointment, but regained her composure quickly when she noticed the duke watching her closely.

Please follow me. Alyssa turned on her heel and swept out of the room with regal disdain, wanting very much to conclude this unpleasant task. The duke barely had time to catch his breath before she disappeared. What the devil is going on? He crossed the vast entrance hall in several long strides, catching up with Alyssa as she reached the heavy paneled doors of the drawing room.

She swung the doors open in a dramatic manner and strode purposefully into the room, never once glancing back to see if the duke was following. Alyssa headed directly for a mahogany leather-topped desk from which she produced an account ledger and a pair of small, round, gold-rimmed reading glasses.

Perching the glasses on the edge of her nose, she spoke to Morgan in a cool tone. Shall we conclude your business as swiftly as possible, Your Grace?

The duke stood in the doorway carefully scrutinizing the room, not quite sure if his eyes were deceiving him. It was an amazing sight. Long wooden tables joined together against the wall were filled with gold, silver, and bronze plate. Running through the center of the room were six rows of additional tables that held magnificent objects of beauty and art collected from previous centuries and various parts of the world.

Unusual Chinese vases stood on one table, a set of early Byzantine chalices on another. Venetian glass sculptures stood side by side with crystal goblets and porcelain figurines. A spectacular jade collection filled a large glass curio cabinet in the corner, and the walls were hung with countless paintings, from the Italian Renaissance to seventeenth-century Dutch.

Finally he sent a questioning glance her way, surprising her. Puzzled, Alyssa questioned the duke. Am I not correct in thinking you have come to Westgate Manor to collect on a debt owed you by Viscount Mulgrave? Morgan favored Alyssa with a long stare, his patience giving out. Madam, if you harbor any hope of retaining your position in this household you shall immediately produce the viscount, or his agent, or some person in authority so I may conduct my business, Morgan declared in a tight voice.

I run the estate, Your Grace, Alyssa replied, matching the curtness of his tone. And who the devil are you? Alyssa Carrington, she answered, her voice also rising in volume. His daughter, she corrected. She was tall, taller than most women he was acquainted with, and she held herself erect, almost rigid. Her face was angular, with high cheekbones, a straight, defined nose, and a full, wide mouth. Her complexion was fair, with just a hint of color in her cheeks. It was, however, her eyes that drew him.

Even behind the lenses of her glasses he could see they were almond shaped, deep green in color, accented by lashes that were long, dark, and full. They gave her an exotic, almost mysterious look. Her hair was pulled back in a most unbecoming manner, making it difficult to determine the color. Her gown was a drab-brown garment, very plain and hopelessly out of fashion.

It was too loose and too short and completely hid her figure. She was not beautiful in the conventional sense, but her features were classic and she radiated an aura of confidence and refinement he found utterly intriguing. I was unaware Jeremy Carrington had any family living at Westgate Manor. Well, he does.

Alyssa directed a withering look at the duke. He ignored it. You run the estate, Lady Carrington? Miss Carrington, she corrected in a tight voice. I beg your pardon? Lady Carrington was my mother. I prefer to be addressed as Miss Carrington. Very well, Miss Carrington, the duke replied in a deep voice, punctuating each syllable.

Do you run the estate? Yes, I am in charge. What then, may I ask, is all of this? Morgan queried sarcastically, sweeping his arm about the room. Your private study where you conduct estate business? Alyssa responded with a distinctly challenging note in her voice and a decidedly stubborn look in her rich green eyes.

She could see he was having difficulty controlling his anger, yet she refused to volunteer any additional information. She knew she was being rude, but she honestly did not care. After all, the duke had not explained the purpose of his sudden unannounced appearance even though she understood all too well why he was at the manor.

Feeling completely justified, Alyssa stood her ground. Start at the beginning, Miss Carrington, he commanded softly. Beginning of what, Your Grace? That remark brought Morgan swiftly into the room and up to the edge of the desk. The dark scowl on his handsome face told Alyssa she had pushed him too far.

Do not play games with me, Miss Carrington. I warn you, I am in no mood for them, he threatened softly. He was so close she could feel his warm breath on her face.

Her heart thumped wildly. Wisely, she decided to comply with his demands for answers. Lord Carrington, as you have already discovered, is not in residence at the moment. In his absence I take responsibility for these Matters of business.

I assume he owes you a sum of money? I have inventoried and cataloged the various items in this room. As you can plainly see, all are of great value: some are considered priceless. You may select any item or items that are equal in value to the sum owed you by Lord Carrington. If you prefer your debt to be settled in coin, I respectfully request you grant me 24 hours to procure the necessary funds.

May I inquire how much you are owed? A well-rehearsed speech. I can only surmise you have done this before. Alyssa glanced at Morgan sternly but refused to answer his taunt. May I have the marker, Your Grace?

She asked, extending her hand gracefully. For a split second Morgan was tempted to give her the deed of ownership in his possession, but even he could not be so cruel. Clearly Alyssa Carrington did not have any idea what her father had done. Glancing at her thoughtfully, it struck him suddenly what an absurd picture she made, standing amid the glitter and splendor of this room in her drab gown. Is there something you do not understand, Your Grace? Hp Bios Update Laptop Processor.

No, he thought, it is all perfectly clear. This rousing romance will enchant series fans and win over new readers. Fiction Romance Historical Fiction. Kindle Book Release date: January 3, Availability can change throughout the month based on the library's budget. You can still place a hold on the title, and your hold will be automatically filled as soon as the title is available again. The OverDrive Read format of this ebook has professional narration that plays while you read in your browser.

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