Taming the Rake (5 page)

“Our paths have crossed before.”

“Have they?” She feigned nonchalance, but he saw right through the ruse.

“Once or twice,” he drawled, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Spectacular clear blue eyes, she couldn’t help but notice. The wretch was even more handsome up close, though in a decidedly unconventional manner. He was too tall for one. And far too broad and muscular. His thick, wavy dark hair was longer than was considered fashionable, and slightly tousled, as if he’d just raked his fingers through it. His features were not as finely chiseled as she’d thought, but rougher—more masculine than truly classical. And to go along with a couple of small scars on his cheek, his nose crooked slightly to one side, giving him a definite disreputable air. Probably broken in some sordid tavern brawl, she surmised. Her gaze moved to his mouth, his sensually shaped lips curled into a perpetual condescending sneer—as if he knew something she didn’t (as if
that
were likely). The shadow of a dark beard subtly emphasized his strong, square jaw.

His evening clothes were well cut, but simple and muted in color with no embellishment. Black trousers, black cutaway jacket and a plain cream waistcoat. Brummel would abhor his cravat, which could at best be characterized as an utter mess. The overall effect was of a man who knew what looked good on him and didn’t bow to society’s dictates. In other words, his appearance matched his attitude: arrogant and indifferent.

And Gina had to admit, despite what she knew of his character, she found something about him curiously alluring. What had made this man who appeared to have so much, disdain everything around him? Was he simply cruel or merely unhappy? Or perhaps both? Perhaps learning the answer to that question would be the key to unlocking the mystery of Lord Coventry, and be the key to her success.

“I thought…,” Lady Augusta stammered nervously. Then collecting herself, she said, “Lady Georgina Beauclerk, may I present my brother, Lord Coventry.”

Gina felt sorry for the poor girl. From the way she twittered and blushed, Gina could tell that she was very concerned with impressing her brother, but he appeared to take scant notice of her.

“My lord,” Gina said primly.

“My lady,” he mimicked, with a polite little bow. “Such frightful formality considering that I have already been the subject of rather marked ‘interest’ tonight.”

Perhaps his attempt to embarrass her further goaded her into boldness. But Gina took one look at that arrogant smirk and knew she had to do something. She couldn’t allow him to get the upper hand. So like a good general, she changed tactics. Bold and matter-of-fact, that was how to deal with the devil. She’d not act the polite young miss. “Perhaps you are right,” she said with a flirty smile.

Agreement where he expected argument seemed to startle him. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Good, Gina thought. She was on the right track. She wanted him off balance.

“Am I?” he asked.

She nodded. “I already feel as though I know you.”

He looked suspiciously to his sister. “You do?”

“I’ve heard so much about you,” Gina said with exaggerated innocence. She looked right into his eyes, challenging him. Let there be no mistake, she knew exactly who and what he was—and he would not intimidate her.

Silently, he studied her upturned face. After a moment, he chuckled. “I’m sure you have. Not much of it good, I’d warrant.”

Deciding that she’d made her point, she declined further comment. “I’m surprised to see you here,” she said instead.

Lady Augusta, who’d been watching the two of them anxiously, offered an explanation. “My brother has agreed to escort me during the season.”

Gina’s eyes lifted a little in surprise. Perhaps this wager of Cecelia’s might be easier than she anticipated. At least she wouldn’t have to track him down in seedy taverns and gaming hells. “So, we’ll be seeing more of you this year?”

His gaze raked her from head to toe, lingering over her mouth and bosom. His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “How much more of me would you care to see, Lady Georgina?”

Ignoring the slight tremble that raced through her, Gina sighed and shook her head, her face a mask of severe disapproval. This propensity for naughty innuendo and sly suggestion really was tiresome. He wasn’t trying to flirt with her; he looked too bored for that. No, he was trying to put her off. Is this how he rid himself of doe-eyed society misses?

She drew up her shoulders. It would take a lot more than lewd suggestion to deter her. She returned his bold stare, taking in the wide set of his shoulders, trim waist, and powerfully muscled thighs. A strange thrill of excitement shot through her as she forced her gaze to linger for the barest instant on the prominent bulge just below his waist. She lifted her gaze to meet his and beneath the boredom, she thought she saw a flicker of heat. “As much as you’d care to show of yourself, my lord,” she answered sweetly.

Lady Augusta giggled, probably at the look of utter bewilderment on her brother’s face.

Disconcerted, he lost some of his sultry swagger. “If there is anything else that
interests
you…” He bowed, taking his leave. “You have but to ask.”

She allowed him to walk a few steps away before she answered. “Be assured, I find much that interests me, my lord.”

Gina tried not to giggle when his step faltered.

He must be more foxed than he realized. How else could he explain the odd sense of confusion? Or the even odder sense that Lady Georgina Beauclerk had just surprised him.

Where was the judgmental condemnation that he’d seen on her face before?

Coventry was not a man used to being surprised by a woman. And a simpering society miss at that. But, he corrected himself, Lady Georgina was no simpering society miss. Not with the way her eyes had boldly devoured his body. Hell, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten hard from a woman looking at him. But even with the copious amount of alcohol at work dulling his senses, he’d felt the unmistakable pull of his bollocks growing heavy and his cock thickening when her eyes skimmed his crotch.

It must have been that naughty little mouth. It was a mouth that any whore would envy. Plump red lips curved in a wide sensual bow that made men think of one thing and one thing only. The tiny freckle naughtily perched to one side didn’t help matters. A seductive mouth like that belonged on a very different face, not one so otherwise frank and intelligent.

He’d thought her beautiful from afar, but Coventry hadn’t expected to actually be attracted to the chit. He knew better. He saved his attraction for whores and married ladies—not that the two groups were mutually exclusive. Deflowering debutantes wasn’t
usually
in his repertoire.

Of course, he wasn’t a man adverse to breaking rules—even self-imposed ones.

No, something told him to avoid this one, willing or not.

Her golden brown hair fell in tiny little ringlets around her face, sultry green eyes fringed with thick, long lashes dominated her face. She had a tiny upturned nose that, if not for the mouth, might be considered haughty. Though slight of form, she was well curved. He’d taken the time to admire two impressive curves in particular. When she’d stood under him, her sweet scent assaulted his senses, immediately conjuring up images of a big bed, billowing curtains and juicy, succulent fruit. Peaches, perhaps, like her silken complexion.

She made him think of hot, sultry sex. Or maybe he’d been too long from the lush and lusty Simone. That particular ailment would be remedied soon.

Five offers? What was wrong with her? He shook his head, wondering why Lady Georgina hadn’t accepted any of them. He was mildly surprised that there hadn’t been more, especially if she looked at other men the way she’d looked at him tonight.

But for some reason he didn’t think so. She was no Lady Alice. Lady Georgina wasn’t coy or aggressive; rather she appeared to be challenging him. To what, he didn’t know. But he had a vague, uneasy feeling that he’d be finding out.

He’d felt an odd rush as he’d sparred with her. It surprised him how exhilarating conversation could be. And perhaps that was the strangest part of all, for a man who didn’t think anything could surprise him, a girl a couple of years on the bad side of her come out had.

He frowned. A fluke that he would attribute to too much port and not enough time spent plowing between the sweet thighs of his mistress.

Still, the conversation had not gone at all as he’d intended. He hoped to hell he’d misunderstood her. After the debacle with Lady Alice, he wasn’t in the mood to be dodging any more society misses, especially one that was the daughter of one of the few men in town that he actually respected. A man he nearly plowed into in his haste to leave.

“I hope my daughter didn’t say anything too shocking,” the Duke of St. Albans grabbed Coventry’s shoulders to keep him from knocking into him.

If you only knew
.

“She has a tendency toward bluntness,” the duke continued.

I’d say
. “I’m hardly one to be easily shocked. But no, I found the Lady Georgina to be quite charming,” Coventry lied.

The duke brightened considerably. His chest puffed out a bit. “Yes, she is, isn’t she?” He didn’t expect an answer, but continued on. “She was a great help to me after her mother died.”

Coventry didn’t want to know anymore about Lady Georgina, but he couldn’t think of a way to excuse himself.

“But with the new duchess, I think she’s feeling a little left out,” the duke finished.

He looked so distressed Coventry had to say something. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I’m sure she’ll marry soon and that will all work itself out.”

The duke didn’t look convinced. “She’s shown a remarkable stubborn streak in that regard, I’m afraid.”

Despite his better judgment, Coventry found himself asking, “She doesn’t want to marry?”

St. Albans looked puzzled. “No, nothing unnatural like that. What girl doesn’t want to marry? No, she’s just particular.” He shook his head. “But why am I telling you this? You’re the last person I’d find knocking on my door.” He laughed good-naturedly, but there was a hard glint in his eye. A glint of warning. A man like Coventry would not be a welcome caller for his cherished daughter, or for any daughter in this room for that matter.

Coventry understood the warning, though it was unnecessary.

“Leaving so soon?” The duchess had joined them without either of them noticing.

“I’m afraid so,” Coventry said, bowing over her hand. Knowing that his attentions would not be misunderstood, he gave her a rare genuine smile.

“Your mother will be beside herself,” she chided.

Damn. He’d forgotten. It wasn’t his mother that concerned him, but his sister. He wasn’t used to being beholden to anyone. But he’d promised Augusta, or Gussie as he’d called her as a child. And despite his scorn for duties imposed by others, he did
try
to honor obligations he took upon himself.

Family had been such an anathema to him, it was strange having a sister about again. In truth, he didn’t know any of his sisters that well. Eager to escape the hell of his childhood, he’d left for school when they were quite young and rarely returned.

His sisters had been fortunate, their strict, deeply religious father died before Coventry left for school. But not soon enough. The hatred curdled inside him.

“The Devil’s in you, boy. I’ll beat him out of you if it’s the last thing I do.”

He never succeeded, Coventry thought with a wave of defiance, though the bastard had died trying. Coventry wore the proof on his back.

His mother should have deserved his sympathy. But after his father’s death, she became even more overbearing. She wasn’t sadistic like his father, but her cruelty was almost worse. It was the subtle cruelty of knowing that everything you did was not good enough. He’d been a failure even before he’d tried.

Any sense of filial duty he might have felt fled after the disaster that had been his “marriage.” He’d avoided Croome Park, his childhood home, like the plague. He glanced at Augusta across the room still in conversation with Lady Georgina. He may have been able to avoid his mother, but his sisters hadn’t been so lucky. And it was probably the residual guilt of leaving them behind, and not Augusta’s well-timed tears, that had caused him to agree to escort her for the season. She seemed a decent enough girl, if a bit shy. He didn’t want to use the term browbeaten, but he couldn’t help but notice the way she seemed to shrink and lower her eyes around their mother.

A strange emotion, a sense of duty, washed over him. A feeling he quickly shook off. The responsibility was not his. Nevertheless, the sooner he found Augusta a husband, the better.

The duchess read his quandary. “Don’t worry,” she whispered conspiratorially. “I’m sure Lord Sussex can see them home.”

Relief washed over him. His visit to Simone could not wait. His grin broadened, spreading to his eyes. “I would be forever in your service.”

The duchess laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

Gina watched with mounting irritation the scene taking place across the room between the duchess and Coventry. Such outrageous flirting. And right under the nose of her poor father. Gina hadn’t missed the admiring glance Coventry had bestowed upon her step “mama” as he bowed over her hand. Yet another male apparently bewitched by the dubious charms of the duchess. Grudgingly, Gina admitted that her stepmother was an attractive woman. Some might even consider her beautiful. Her father certainly seemed to think so. A handsome man in his own right, at two and forty, the duke doted on his young bride.

Trying to hide her annoyance, Gina turned her focus back to Lady Augusta, who was gazing at her with something akin to reverence in her expression.

Suddenly self-conscious, Gina asked, “What is it?”

“My brother doesn’t frighten you?”

Taken aback, Gina asked, “Should he?”

Lady Augusta bit her lip uncertainly. “He can be quite cutting. Cruel even.” She blushed. “And there’s what happened with Viscount Danby’s daughter. Most of the young ladies of my acquaintance are quite terrified of him.”