Saved by a Rake (4 page)

“
Alas, it seems our dance is at an end. May I say that I have not enjoyed a dance so much for a very long time?”

Heat and colour flooded her cheeks
though she dared not pull out her fan.

“
I have it on good authority, my lord, that you are not one for dancing when you do attend balls, therefore I am unsure whether your comment is a compliment.”

His chuckle was deep and lyrical as his dark gaze settled on her
s.

“
I fear you have found me out to be a dreadful flatterer, Lady Rebecca. Though it was meant as a very sincere compliment. So much so that I hope you will grace me with the honour of leading you into the supper dance.”

“
If you do, my lord, you will be expected to make a morning call at my home tomorrow.”

“
Indeed. I have asked you to dance the supper dance with me solely in order that I have a valid excuse to pay a visit to Chapelbrooke House as soon as it is polite to do so.”

She did not know to what extent he was teasing her. Of course, he must have heard the rumours and could not seriously be considering courting her. She wondered if his intentions towards her we
re nefarious based on her newly-acquired, sullied reputation. She had all but agreed to the supper dance with him, and it would be bad form indeed to change her mind, especially after breaking off a courtship with a different eligible gentleman.

“
In that case, I will accept your offer to dance again, Lord Ramsey.”

“
Till the supper dance, my lady.” He bowed, smiled at her and turned to walk up the ballroom towards the card room.

****

“Ramsey! What the devil is wrong with him? Ramsey!” Smythe’s voice interrupted his reverie, and the other man raised an eyebrow and held his own cards aloft.

“
Oh, I do beg your pardon. I was miles away.”

“
Another beautiful young widow. Eh, Ramsey?”

Daniel frowned. Smythe was only teasing but somehow, after hearing of what had befallen Eversley
’s sister, it seemed to rankle with him. Or perhaps it was something to do with his father’s ultimatum. Why was he now feeling like a puritan, unable to take a bit of ribaldry from his cronies?

Not that he had done anything wrong as far as the
Ton
was concerned. He had never bedded married women or innocents, and the widows whom he had shared a bed with had been women of the world, looking for a bit of excitement in their lonely lives.

“
No, not this time. Just estate business.”

Truth be told, Lady Rebecca Eversley had disconcerted him.
She was beautiful, intelligent, witty and no doubt accomplished at the same pastimes as all other ladies of genteel upbringing.

He had been imagining sitting beside a fireplace, Rebecca in a chair on the other side, embroidering. He would be reading a novel to her
, and she would interrupt occasionally to commentate on the action.

But devil take it—his father had only just given his ultimatum. He couldn
’t be setting his sights at the first pretty chit that came his way. Besides, that was a wholly romantic notion and he did not do romance. He bedded beautiful widows and the occasional courtesan and would marry an appropriate young woman who would bear him children and not nag him too much.

On the other hand, the gossips had only started with Lady Rebecca. She could yet be ostracised by society. He could marry well, keep his father happy and she—his best friend
’s sister—could be saved the embarrassment of a dwindling pile of invitations each morning or worse—the cold civility of the
Ton
. He respected her bravery in facing the
Ton
in the circumstances. The rumours he had heard, while not generally believed, had the potential to become vicious. Yet she was still here, facing her detractors with her pretty head held high and a serene smile on those beautiful rosebud lips.

It would be a sensible arrangement and he would not have to be emotionally involved. She seemed an amiable enough girl. He had never heard James refer to her as a nag or a busy body or in any negative terms at all. And who cared if she was no longer a virgin. N
one of his other lovers had been innocents. And he presumed her mother had taken care of any chance of her being with child. Thank God women dealt with all that stuff and nonsense.

He left the card room during the last few minutes of the dance prior to the supper and walked towards the Countess of Chapelbrooke, stopping to exchange greetings and chit-chat with various acquaintances as he passed.

The music ended and he watched as Lady Rebecca, her bosom heaving slightly because of the rigor of the country dance, was returned to her parents by a rather spotty looking young man.

Why had
Daniel never seen her beauty before? Why had he never considered her before? And why now? He had always had an eye for the ladies. He knew which were eligible, whose mothers to avoid and who could be called upon for a no-strings-attached waltz on the odd occasion when he really could not get out of it. And Rebecca had never been in his sights.

Did he feel compassion for her? Did he wish t
o save her from ruination? The rush of blood under his pantaloons told him his interest in her was much more carnal—something that Lady Rebecca Eversley did not need at this moment in time. And frankly, neither did he.

The dance was called. It would be a waltz. Rebecca flushed slightly as he approached.
Her cheeks almost matched the rose colour of her perfectly shaped lips—lips he would definitely like to kiss in the not-too-distant future.

“
Oh, Lord Ramsey. I am not sure a waltz is the most appropriate dance tonight.”

“
The waltz is not to your taste, Lady Rebecca?”

“
Oh I love to waltz. It’s just…” She blushed deeper and fumbled with her fan. He leaned close.

He leaned closer.
“As you know, the gossips like fresh news every day to discuss at their morning visits. I would suggest that we give them something other than the Earl of Newthorpe to discuss.”

Her eyes widened—then she smiled and accepted his arm to be led into their first waltz together.

He twirled her onto the floor before snaking his gloved hand around her waist. She stiffened, and he moved backwards instinctively. But she relaxed again as she raised her gaze to his, placing one hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand.

“
All right?” he murmured. He considered faking a twisted ankle if it looked as if she was going to protest again. He had no doubt that, after her ordeal, she had no wish to be touched by a large, strong and virile man, even if half the
Ton
was watching her avidly.

The music started
, and she nodded before taking a deep breath and allowing him to lead her around the floor.

He would have wished to dance slightly f
arther apart than was strictly necessary in order to give her the space she obviously desired but, as always was the case with the supper dance, the dance floor was busy. He gripped her waist tighter and pulled her close, turning her effortlessly, before waltzing them past the open French windows. He asked her about her home this time, in an effort to take her mind off their close contact and keep her at her ease. She had been uncomfortable when the waltz had been announced, and he did not want her to feel any discomfiture in his presence. The girl had been through enough and he would make sure that, if nothing else, she enjoyed her two dances with him and her supper.

As she relaxed into telling him about Chapelbrooke, her back became less rigid and her movements more fluid.
He forced himself to concentrate on her words to distract himself from her ball gown brushing gently against his ankle every time he turned her.

He could have quite happily danced with her all night, listening to enchanting stories of her girlhood and gleaning small bits of information with which to tease Eversley for years to come.

After the dance, he led her into supper, ensuring that he sat her at a small table with her brother and his dance partner and another couple of his friends, whom he trusted, along with some pretty young ladies they had led into the waltz.

The company throughout dinner was excellent
, and conversation flowed easily. Daniel sat at one side of Lady Rebecca while James sat at the other. He was still unsure as to the extent of the gossip surrounding her and Newthorpe.

Had the accusation of her being a light skirt made it out of the gentlemen
’s clubs? Of course, the reasons for the failure of their courtship would have raised a great deal of speculation among the ladies. He wanted to protect her if at all possible. For James’s sake, of course.

Daniel
’s only regret now was that he could not solicit another dance with her, lest she be seen as fast. Suddenly he was looking forward to a visit to Chapelbrooke House the next morning—a feeling that discomfited him greatly. He was a single gentleman who enjoyed his life of gentlemanly pursuits—particularly those which included the bedding of the fairer sex. So why was he looking forward to seeing Rebecca again? Why could he not get those soft, pink lips put of his head?

Chapter Six

Rebecca sat rigidly on her chair when Timms entered the drawing room carrying a silver salver with a calling card.
Her mother accepted the card and nodded at the butler before fixing her with a stare.

They had discussed Lord Ramsey at length once they had arrived home from the ball. Her mother was determined to work out why, suddenly, one of the
Ton
’s eligible bachelors, who was also known as a bit of a rake, was paying court to her daughter. Did he wish to sully Rebecca’s reputation further? Was he looking for a wife? And why had he danced with her twice?

“
Perhaps he wanted to dance,” Rebecca had replied simply. She knew she was being obtuse, but it was not that these questions had not occurred to Rebecca herself. However, after the week she had just survived, she was unwilling to look any further than the next hour or so, and she was certainly in no state to make grand plans for the future just yet.

She was still recovering from her physical injuries
, and an evening of dancing had not helped. Her gloves had hidden the fading welt marks on her wrists, but the bruises on her upper thighs were now yellow and, if anything, hurt more than they had the day after Newthorpe had ravished her. She shuddered at the thought of the man who had ruined her, just as the door opened and Lord Ramsey was formally announced.

They passed a pleasant half hour, drinking tea and discussing the ball the previous evening. She watched him carefully, ready for a leering glance or a salacious roving of his gaze
, but he was the perfect gentleman. Sadly, she was less of a lady if her appreciation of his looks in his dark green coat, striped waistcoat, buff pantaloons and riding boots was anything to go by. He was definitely the most handsome gentleman in the
Ton
, in her opinion. If only he had been on the marriage mart a few months previously.

But it did not do to dwell o
n the things that might have been.

“
Would I be too optimistic if I were to hope to meet you at Lady Forster’s garden party this afternoon?”

She looked at her mother
, who smiled and nodded. “Not at all, Lord Ramsey. We were planning to attend. I hear that Lady Forster has the most beautiful rose garden in all of London.”

“
I hear that too. Perhaps we can admire the roses together.” He smiled dazzlingly, and Rebecca’s heart seemed to leap in her chest.

“
That would be lovely.” The garden would be full of other visitors and so she would be suitably chaperoned at all times.

“
Excellent. Well, sadly, I must take my leave. I promised to meet your brother for a ride in Hyde Park.”

They all stood. Lord Ramsey bowed to her mother and then Rebecca
, and both women curtseyed in reply.

Both she and her mother listened to the muffled sounds as Timms retrieved Lord Ramsey
’s possessions and the gentleman took his leave of the house. Her mother hovered near the window, craning her elegant neck to get a further glimpse of him before he rounded the corner and strode off in the direction of the mews to collect his horse.

“
Well, I do believe that Lord Ramsey has every intention of courting you, Rebecca. I must say that I do not understand his reasons, but I would also point out that you are in no position to turn him down. Of course, eventually he will have to be informed of your loss of innocence.”

“
Of course.” She sighed as another feeling of sheer injustice washed over her. Why should she be punished for something for which she did not ask? She had not thrown herself at Lord Newthorpe but had trusted him as a gentleman.

How foolish she had been. Perhaps, because of Lord Ramsey
’s reputation and what had already befallen her, this time, she would be on her guard. Or perhaps, this time, she had found a proper gentleman.

****

“So, Ramsey. Out with it.” James Eversley, sat astride his chestnut gelding and looked at his best friend. It was a dry, dull day and Hyde Park was busy with the usual array of aristocrats, gentry and servants enjoying reasonable weather before the fashionable hour started an hour later. They were walking their horses over the grass, heading for a quiet area.

“
Out with what?” asked Daniel, frowning. He wanted to gallop. He was wound up like a badly sprung pocket watch.

There was still a haunted look in Lady Rebecca
’s eyes whenever she thought no one was watching her. And despite his attempts at aristocratic ennui, it bothered him. Whatever that blaggard, Newthorpe, had done to her had scared the wits out of the poor girl.

Despite her expression though,
Daniel had had the urge to kiss those dainty lips, especially when, unthinkingly, she had run her tongue along her bottom lip before smiling coyly. And that little pink tongue was doing him no good at all. How the devil was a chap supposed to ride properly when he was aroused? There was nothing else for it. He was going to have to marry her.

“
My sister. What are your intentions towards her?”

“
Is that not a conversation I should have with your father, Eversley?”

“
You’ll have it with me first, Ramsey. And so help me God, if you hurt her, or treat her like one of your widow friends, I will slap a glove in your face.”

“
Devil take it, James. I do not tumble innocents, as well you know. I do not plan to take liberties, consensual or otherwise, with your sister unless I wed her.”

“
Keep your voice down.” James reprimanded, glancing around him. But thankfully, apart from a group of young bucks in the distance and a maid scurrying over the grass in the opposite direction, no one was around.

“
My intentions towards your sister are honourable. I can assure you of that at least. She is pretty, charming, witty, intelligent…”

“
Yes, yes! But are you planning to ask for her hand in marriage?”

“
Of course.”

James
’s jaw dropped—literally—and he stared open-mouthed at his best friend before stuttering a query.

“
You? You would wed my sister?”

“
Yes.”

James seemed to gather his wits as he patted the neck of his brown mare slowly. Then he straightened and glowered at Daniel.

“And then what? Take a mistress or two? One in town and one at Drumbane?”

Daniel gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on the reins causing Gus, his white gelding, to prance to the side. He loosened his grip again, soothed the horse by patting its neck and spoke.

“I may have a reputation, Eversley, but it is a reputation I have gained as a bachelor. When I am wed, I will be faithful to my wife and there will be no mistresses. I am not going to be responsible for bringing bastards into this world to be shunned by society, nor will my lady wife be forced to suffer the indignity of everyone knowing her husband is an adulterer. I must say, I’m disappointed in you, James. I thought you knew my character better.”

“
Oh I say, no offence intended. I worry for Rebecca…especially now. And I do have to ask, why have you suddenly appeared on the marriage mart?”

“
My father is ill. He has made it a stipulation of his will that his money will go to Simon and Elizabeth, minus enough to run the estate, if, by the time he dies, I have not taken a wife.”

James narrowed his eyes.

“What about our investments We’ve been careful. You would have what? Ten, fifteen thousand a year from those, assuming you have not gambled the money.”

Daniel snorted.

“Of course I have not gambled it. Now you take me for a fool, as well as a blaggard?”

There was silence as James considered this, then he furrowed
his brows.

“
So if you have enough money of your own to live a comfortable life, why are you bowing to the will of your father?”

Daniel looked at his oldest friend and caught his gaze.

“Because it is the old man’s dying wish that I be married, and so I shall be.”

“
Oh! I am sorry to hear that, old chap. And you would marry my poor sullied sister to achieve that end?”

“
Do not speak of Lady Rebecca like that, even if she is your sister, Eversley. I like her. And, God willing, I will marry her. And maybe…”

“
Maybe what?”

“
Nothing. Come on. I need to gallop.” He turned the horse and headed for Rotten Row. He would not dwell on ridiculous feelings or entertain hopes that she might fall in love with him or any such nonsense.