A Treacherous Curse (Veronica Speedwell, #3)

by Deanna Raybourn

“Do not invoke ethnography, Veronica. You know how I feel about the social sciences.”

“But after I knocked him down, he refused to get back up. I won’t kill a man on his knees.”

“He is changeable as the sea but solid as the earth.”

I liked John. He was the closest thing I had to a brother.” “You have three brothers,” I reminded him. “And they are the closest thing I have to acquaintances. Tiberius and Rupert were at school before I took much notice of them, and Merryweather was barely out of the nursery when I left. John was my first real experience of camaraderie. I trusted him.”

“Boys!” I said sharply. “There will be no brawling with your shirts on. Kindly remove your upper garments and give them into my keeping.” Both men turned to look at me, wearing identical expressions of astonishment.

“Enough. You might have duped the police with your little performance, but I recognize your amateur theatricals.”

“You could carve out your own heart and offer it up on a platter and your ledger would still run red.”

“There is no call for that,” I promised him. “He was a perfect gentleman in every regard.” A slow smile spread over the viscount’s features as his eyes met mine. “I always said he was a fool,” he said softly.

If you mean to rant, do it and get out. I have things to do.”