A Season for Sin (15 page)

She turned round, hoping he’d not seen her. To her mortification, Shelbourne and the other gentleman approached Lord Broughton.

“Shelbourne, Hawk, this is an unexpected pleasure,” Broughton said, rubbing his hands.

Tessa gazed up at the chandelier, wishing she could melt like the wax oozing from the candles. When she’d run away, he’d probably
thought she wanted him to chase her. Belatedly, she realized her behavior only made her look guilty and a little foolish.
She planted a serene smile on her face as Lord Broughton introduced her to the duke and Lord Hawkfield. Then she curtseyed
and rose to find Shelbourne gazing at her. In the light of the chandelier, she could see his eyes were marine blue and fringed
by thick black lashes.

“Miss Mansfield and my wife are friends,” Lord Broughton said. “She is the one responsible for our happy union.”

Lord Hawkfield raised his brows in an exaggerated fashion. “I say, a matchmaker? If only I had known of your skills when my
sisters were single, Miss Mansfield. You might have saved me the trouble of finding them husbands.”

His mocking tone vexed her. She’d encountered plenty of his kind before, always quick to ridicule her avocation. “I had no
idea I had a competitor. Or do you only make matches for relatives?”

Before Lord Hawkfield could reply, the duke cut in. “His self-proclaimed talent is highly overrated.”

She arched her brows. “Should I be relieved?”

“He never stood a chance against you.”

His distinctive baritone voice sent an exquisite shiver along her arms. She mentally shook herself.
He’s a rake, he’s a rake, he’s a rake
.

The music ended. Lord Hawkfield excused himself and disappeared into the crowd. The duke glanced at her, and then he closed
the distance between them.

She looked at him warily. Could he not see she wished him to leave her in peace?

“I apologize for detaining you so long earlier,” he said. “Without a proper introduction, I fear you might have taken offense.”

He’d apologized in a gentlemanly manner, even though she was equally at fault, perhaps more so, since she’d done most of the
talking. “No apology is necessary. The circumstances were unusual.”

He inclined his head. Though he did not smile, there was a natural curve to his full lips. His was not the pretty face of
a dandy, however. Oh, no, not at all. His thick brows, angular cheekbones, and square jaw were all male. Little wonder women
reportedly swooned at his perfection. No, not quite perfect, she thought, detecting a faint shadow along his jaw and above
his full upper lip. His valet probably had to shave him twice a day. Her skin prickled at this evidence of the duke’s masculinity.

“There is something I wish to ask you.” His voice rumbled, a sound as rich and irresistible as a cup of chocolate.

Her heart thumped at the low, seductive notes in his voice. She’d thought herself unsusceptible to such tricks, but evidently
her traitorous body was not.

“May I call upon you tomorrow afternoon?” he asked.

“Your Grace, if this concerns my fan, I beg you to forget the matter.” There, that should settle his concern once and for
all.

“It is not about the fan,” he said. “I have appointments early in the afternoon. May I call at four o’clock?”

She regarded him with suspicion. “Why not tell me now?”

“I prefer to discuss it in private, if you are amenable.”

In private?
Did he mean to make her a dishonorable proposal? Then her common sense prevailed. A handsome rake like him would have no
interest in a plump spinster.

His mouth curved in the merest of smiles. “You hesitate. I can hardly blame you after I discomposed you earlier.”

She lifted her chin. “I was not discomposed.” What a bouncer. She’d fled as if the engraving on his card read His Grace, the
Duke of Devilbourne.

“I will of course abide by your decision.” Then he gazed into her eyes with such intensity, she stilled like a rabbit in the
woods. He drew her in, mesmerizing her with his arresting blue eyes. She felt the pull of his will like a swift current. And
everything inside her said
yes
. “Very well,” she said breathlessly.

“Thank you. Until tomorrow.” He sketched a formal bow and walked away.

She let out her pent-up breath. Good God, he’d seduced her into agreeing.

Anne approached, using her fan to shield her voice. “What were you and the duke discussing?”

Tessa thought it best not to reveal his intended visit until she knew his purpose. “Nothing of consequence.” But he wanted
something from her. She suppressed a shiver.

“He spoke to you at length,” Anne said. “You must tell me what he said.”

“You make too much of the matter.” Why had she let him turn her head?

“He looked at you like a starving wolf. Stay away from him,” Anne said. “He is well-respected for his politics, but even Geoffrey
admitted the duke has a notorious reputation with women. He probably has one hundred notches in his bedpost.”

Tessa scoffed. “I’m sure he has no interest in carving one for an aging spinster like me.”

“You are only six and twenty,” Anne said. “Why must you always demean your charms?”

She ignored her friend’s question. “Do not worry. I am in no danger of falling for a rake’s wiles.” Even if he’d persuaded
her to let him call tomorrow, and she’d accepted against her better judgment.

Anne drew closer. “He has a reputation as a legendary lover. Women throw themselves in his path. I heard he can persuade a
woman to do his bidding with his eyes.”

Tessa gulped, knowing it was true.

Anne surveyed the crowd and grabbed Tessa’s arm. “Look, there he is now by the hearth. Do you see that woman with him? That
is Lady Endicott, a formerly respectable widow—until she met Shelbourne.”

Tessa glanced in that direction. A tall, raven-haired beauty with jade feathers in her bandeau slid her finger along Shelbourne’s
lapel. Then the widow leaned against him and whispered in his ear. He turned his head and flicked her earbob.

Tessa gasped. Stars above. She’d invited that shameless rake to her drawing room.

His teeth flashed in a roguish grin. Then he winked at the lady and strode off.

“How could he engage in such brazen flirtation when his sister is present?” Anne said, her voice outraged.

Tessa swerved her gaze to Anne. “His sister?”

“Lady Julianne,” Anne said. “She is dancing with Lord Holbrook.”

The dark-haired young woman laughed as she skipped past her partner. Her complexion glowed with the radiance of youth, and
her gold-netted gown set off her slender figure to perfection. A sliver of envy lodged in Tessa’s throat. Long ago, she’d
missed her own opportunity to have a season. Most of the time, she refused to dwell on the past, but once in a while, regret
shadowed her heart.

Anne regarded Tessa. “Lady Julianne is purported to have declined more than a dozen marriage proposals since her come-out
three years ago.”

“She sounds very particular.”

“Perhaps it is her brother who is particular,” Anne said. “Some say the duke believes no man is good enough for his sister.”

Tessa stilled. Did he mean to ask her to make a match for his sister tomorrow? No, surely he would rely on his mother’s advice.
Why then had he insisted on calling?

How to Marry a Duke

How to Seduce a Scoundrel

How to Ravish a Rake

“Dreiling secures her reputation as a writer of charming, matchmaking romances with engaging characters. Though her plotlines are classic, her cast of quirky, unconventional characters sets her stories apart. Fans of marriage-of-convenience love stories have a treat.”

—
RT Book Reviews
on
How to Ravish a Rake

“Regency matchmaking, rakes, rogues, innocence and scandal: oh what fun! Dreiling knows how to combine these ingredients into a delightfully delicious, wickedly witty slice of reading pleasure.”

—
RT Book Reviews
on
How to Seduce a Scoundrel

“In her lively debut novel, Vicky Dreiling has penned a fresh, engaging take on Regency matchmaking that brims with clever wit and repartee.”

—Nicole Jordan,
New York Times
bestselling author on
How to Marry a Duke

“A tale chock full of warmth, wit and tenderness.”

—Samantha James,
New York Times
bestselling author on
How to Marry a Duke

“A terrific romp of a read!… Vicky is a bright new voice in romance.”

—Sarah MacLean,
New York Times
bestselling author on
How to Marry a Duke

“Dreiling’s Regency romance debut is, in a word, enchanting… How can Tristan honorably back away from his public courtship? And how can Tessa’s reputation in high society survive? Dreiling not only solves the dilemma; she also makes readers care about the delightful couple through their witty repartee and her expert storytelling.”

—
Booklist
(Starred Review)

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