Rules for Reforming a Rake (5 page)

“LET’S SEE NOW,”
Lady Eloise Dayne said, putting a finger to her chin and drifting off in thought. “Rose must be about twenty-three, and that would make Laurel about twenty-one. The twins, Lily and Daffodil—though everyone calls her Dillie—are just shy of seventeen. Now Daisy, that delightful girl, will turn nineteen next month. Did I mention their father acquired his wealth in the merchant trade? One would never guess it, for he has quite the manners and education of a gentleman. The girls are clever, too. Quite accomplished young ladies.”

“Ah, just what I need, an accomplished young lady.” Gabriel set down his teacup with a clatter. He glanced at the ornate wall clock hanging by the door of the winter salon, and noted it was almost five o’clock. He’d paid his duty call. Although he’d enjoyed most of the time spent with his grandmother, it was time to leave. “Grandmama, I fear I must be going.”

“But Daisy—”

“Please, not another word about the girl. Did I in any way lead you to believe I gave a fig about her or her relatives?”
Bloody hell
, she couldn’t seriously be considering him for Daisy, could she? If he were seeking to settle down—which he wasn’t in the least—it would never be with an addled bit of fluff like her, even if she had practically stopped his heart with her beautiful smile.

“Well, no. But you and Daisy seemed to be getting along so well.”

“Getting along well? Whatever gave you that impression? Her devil of a cousin emptied himself on me, and all she could do was flutter about me ineffectually, saying ‘sorry, sorry, sorry’ like a damned parrot with a one-word vocabulary. And later, when I joined you in this parlor, all she could do was gawk at me even as she chided me for my wicked ways.”

Eloise let out a chuckle. “Well, you are a handsome man.”

“Despite my scars.”

“Most of them aren’t that noticeable, and the two that are make you look divinely rugged. I imagine Daisy found them quite attractive.”

Bloody hell again. Will my grandmother never give up?

“I’d be surprised if she noticed anything, for the girl seems to walk in a perpetual cloud. However, I will admit that even foggy-headed girls are consumed by one thing... marriage. I saw wedding bells mirrored in her blue eyes.”

“Ah, you noticed the color of her eyes.”

“No,” he muttered and received a scowl of disbelief in return. Very well, so what if he had noticed? No man could overlook Daisy’s magnificent eyes or her other splendid attributes. But it didn’t mean he was interested or that she pleased him. The war years had trained him always to be vigilant and notice details, that’s all. Her details happened to be spectacular, but it wasn’t something one confided to one’s meddlesome grandmother.

“You are being most difficult, Gabriel. Why won’t you admit that you liked the girl?”

“Because I didn’t. I found her quite unremarkable. She had nothing of interest to say. She lacked style. I think she forgot to brush her hair today. That dark mane of hers tumbled wildly about her shoulders.”

Well, I do like that. Yes, indeed! Wild dark hair and big blue eyes, and a body—no!
Daisy Farthingale was not the stuff of his fantasies
.

“Her only lure is her wealth,” he continued, “which isn’t enough to tempt me. However, I’m certain she’ll find some fop who’ll fall in love with her dowry. With a little luck, he might even fall in love with her. After they marry, she and her family can slowly drive the wretch insane.”

He expected a feisty response from Eloise, for he had truly gone on a spiteful rant. Instead she sat quietly, staring beyond him toward the door with a pained expression on her face. “Hello, Daisy,” she said in a tight voice. “Don’t believe a word of what Gabriel just said.”

Gabriel felt as if an anchor had just been dropped on his stomach. He tried to stand but couldn’t. Instead, he watched helplessly as Daisy remained at the door wringing her hands while trying to regain her composure. She looked beautiful and vulnerable.

She looked young and very hurt.

Where was Watling? Why hadn’t he announced the girl’s arrival? Or did the blasted chit just burst in whenever she pleased?

Eloise patted the seat beside her and motioned for Daisy to join her, but the poor girl couldn’t seem to move either. “You look lovely, child. Your hair’s done up quite elegantly.”

Daisy patted her hair, which was now styled in a fashionable chignon, then slowly shook her head. “You’re being kind as always, Eloise.” Her chin began to quiver.
Hell in a handbasket
, was she going to cry? All his fault. “I only stopped by to inform you that I won’t be able to ride with you to Lord Falmouth’s ball.” She let out a shaky breath and ran her tongue slowly across her full lower lip as she struggled to regain the composure that he’d callously shattered. “I know I promised, but I’m certain your grandson can manage that responsibility.”

Her tongue darted out again, and all he could think of was the sweet sensation of her tongue and soft lips going down... Was there ever a man more depraved?

“I’d much rather have your company in my carriage. My grandson,” his grandmother said, glaring at Gabriel, “won’t be very entertaining. He’s all bile and ill temper lately, and he’s lost all sense of good manners.”

Gabriel was about to admit that he had been in the wrong, but Daisy surprised him by coming to his defense. “Please don’t berate him. He has every reason to think the worst of me, and as to his manners, I believe mine were worse.”

“Nonsense, you’re always delightful. You were a little distressed today, that’s all. Nobody’s perfect. We all have bad days. Still doesn’t excuse his rudeness toward you,” Eloise insisted, refusing to be mollified.

“Perhaps not, but let’s not make more of it than necessary.” Her beautiful lips were now stretched in a thin, tense line and her clasped hands were trembling. “I doubt I’ll see him again and I do wish to explain about Lord Falmouth’s ball. You see, I won’t be attending.”

Eloise let out a soft gasp. “Why ever not? You’ve been looking forward to it for ages.”

“It seems Mother forgot to notify the dressmakers to proceed with the final alterations for my gowns. They won’t be ready in time.”

“Daisy, that’s unpardonable!”

Gabriel rolled his head back and groaned. Obviously Daisy had endured a dreadful day, first chasing after her cousins—he did admit that looking after seven children was no easy task—and then learning that this much-anticipated event was not to be. A young woman’s first season was a sacred rite of passage, not something to be trifled with or ignored by her family. Daisy looked crushed and he couldn’t blame her.

Yet despite her miserable day, she’d found it in her heart to overlook his outrageous conduct—actually, to dismiss it as though he were irrelevant—well, he didn’t like that. But he hadn’t exactly swept her off her feet with his charm. He’d been cruel and callous, living up to the awful reputation he’d deliberately created over the years.

Damn.

He felt about as low as the scrapings on the soles of his boots.

Lower than those scrapings.

“She’s had her hands full with the family,” he listened to Daisy continue in support of her mother, and thought her too willing to forgive that obviously addled lady. “I don’t mind, really. And the dresses will be ready in time for Lord Hornby’s ball. I’ll gladly ride with you then.”

“Very well, it’s settled,” Eloise said with a slow nod of her head.

“I’ll be off. I’ve left the twins in charge of the other youngsters and dare not stay away too long. Last time I was gone, the little savages took Pruitt prisoner. The poor man still has not recovered.”

Gabriel found his legs and then his voice. “A moment,” he called out, quickly striding to her side before she could turn away. “I believe I owe you an apology.”

She lifted her chin and cast him a defiant scowl. “You’re entitled to your opinion of me. I always prefer the plain truth to fancy lies.”

“Then you shall have the truth,” he said, his gaze riveted by her blazing blue eyes. A tactical mistake, he realized at once, for she did have the prettiest eyes. He cleared his throat. “My grandmother is right, Miss Farthingale. I did not mean any of the crass words you overheard. You were the unfortunate victim of my ill humor. I’d very much like to make amends.”

“Not necessary.”

“Quite necessary.” The little widgeon was hurt and still angry with him. He folded his arms over his chest and stared down at her, hoping to intimidate her. Only a little, of course. He didn’t wish to scare her—he merely wanted to impress upon her the importance of his apology. He owed her one and he was going to give it, whether or not she wished to receive it.

“I believe your description of me was accurate.”

“Indeed, it was not. I insist on making amends. May I have the honor of a dance with you at Lord Hornby’s ball?”
Gad!
Had he just asked this innocent for a dance? He’d only meant to mutter some contrite words and be on his way. He hadn’t meant to prolong their association beyond this uncomfortable chat in his grandmother’s parlor. She had to refuse him. He wanted her to refuse him.

He sighed, knowing he was trapped. She would accept him, for women always did.
Always
. When she did the inevitable, he’d endure with manly grace. How bad could one dance with this incompetent snip of a girl be?

She tipped her face upward to meet his gaze, her eyes an intense and fiery blue. “I don’t think so. Please don’t ask me again.
Ever.
”

***

“You’re in foul temper, Lord Dayne.”

“Go away, Your Grace.” Gabriel had just settled for the evening in a dark leather chair in the smoking room at White’s, a stately room paneled in dark mahogany and filled with brightly polished tables, crinkled leather sofas, and comfortable wing chairs. He was still stewing over Daisy’s refusal and in no humor for a pleasant chat with Ian.

Gabriel glowered at his friend in the hope he’d take the not so subtle hint to go away. Ian ignored both his comment and his dark scowl, instead taking a seat beside him. “Is there a reason for your ill humor?” he asked, casually lighting up a cigar. “Here, have a stiff drink. It’ll help warm you up.” Ian reached over and grabbed a whiskey off the tray of a passing servant. “By the way, you’ll like Veronique’s friend.”

“Who?”

“My mistress’s friend. Her name is Desiree, and she has red hair, sultry gray eyes, and a limber body that will render you speechless. It’s all arranged. You’re to meet her tonight. She’ll warm you up if the whiskey doesn’t.”

“Can’t wait,” he said without a trace of enthusiasm.

Ian arched an eyebrow. “You don’t have to meet her if you don’t wish to. I know a dozen other men who would give their right arms to take her under their care.”

“I just said I’d do it, didn’t I?” He forced a smile. “And I’m looking forward to it.”

“My, my. Seems the Farthingale girl has you quite turned upside-down. Well, it’s to be expected now that she’s grown into a beauty. Did your military training protect you from her onslaught?”

Gabriel shook his head and sighed. “What makes you think I met Daisy?”

Ian laughed. “You have the unmistakable look of panic in your eyes. You know, the look a deer gets when it realizes it’s about to be shot. I warned you, didn’t I? Now it’s too late. Tell me everything.”

Bloody hell.
Had he spent years fighting Napoleon’s army merely to protect a country of busybodies? “There’s nothing to tell. The girl and I are not on speaking terms.”

Ian set his cigar in a nearby ashtray and leaned forward, his gaze sharp and assessing. “But you were on speaking terms at one time.”

Gabriel grumbled something indistinguishable.

“I heard you saved Daisy’s cousin from a team of thundering horses. Also heard Daisy was most appreciative.”

He grumbled again.

“Is that an affirmative? Never mind. What happened afterward? I know you remained at your grandmother’s for quite a while.”

He glared at Ian, annoyed by the interrogation. “Why don’t you ask your spies? They seem to be quite thorough in their reporting.”

“But it would be so much more interesting to hear the details from you. Ah, but you’re not the sort to kiss and tell. Too bad. I’ll have to watch the two of you at Falmouth’s party and see how you behave toward each other.”

“Daisy won’t be attending,” he said tightly, her look of disappointment still vivid in his mind. “Seems her gown won’t be ready in time.”

Ian’s eyes widened as though he were caught by surprise, and then he shook his head and sighed. “Your cousin Graelem warned me this might happen. He and Laurel invited Daisy to stay with them in order to protect her from that chaotic family of hers, but she refused, claimed to be needed at home. Apparently, she keeps the household running. If you ask me, she seems to be doing a terrible job of it.”

Gabriel clenched his teeth to curb his anger. He knew Ian was purposely goading him and refused to rise to the taunt. “She does an excellent job under the circumstances.”

“I see.” Ian took a sip of his own drink just delivered by a steward. “So, have you kissed her?”

“No, and I have no desire to. However, I will gladly kiss the sultry Desiree should she be willing.”

Ian threw his head back and laughed. “You’ll find her most accommodating.”

“DAISY, DO STOP FUSSING,”
Eloise gently chided as she and Daisy rode in Eloise’s carriage one week later on their way to Lord Hornby’s ball.

“I can’t help it.” Daisy wished she’d never been invited to the ball, though the night was perfect, another in a string of unusually warm evenings. The scent of lilac wafted in the air as they drove through the park, filling the compartment with a magical hint of early spring. “I feel like an enormous snowball in this hideous white satin and lace confection. I can’t seem to get comfortable.”