Confessions of a Scoundrel Read Online Free PDF

John. Within moments of meeting the young peer, it had become obvious that they shared a sense of the ridiculous. They got along famously, but only because he reminded her so much of James that she could not bring herself to completely rebuff him.
    â€œVer, what am I going to do? I just know they will want more money than I can gather. I’m doomed.”
    Verena bit her lip. How could she help James? Her coffers were rarely full. Her gaze was drawn to the table. There was one way to help James.
    She placed her fingers on the cards and smiled as excitement trilled along her spine. She was tired of hiding, tired of barely making ends meet, tired of being careful. It was the time for bold action. Feeling more alive than she had in four years, Verena picked up the deck of cards and shuffled them, her fingers blurring with the motion.
    She dealt out four hands. “Turn up the top cards.”
    He did as she instructed. On the top of each pile of cards lay a queen. He grinned up at her, realization dawning. “You are the best.”
    The words warmed her heart. She’d missed having her family nearby. Oh, she’d tried to compensate by developing friendships, but she found herself holding back from most overtures, a sad effect of her upbringing. She rather thought the family motto should not have been “Forever Intrepid,” but “Trust No One.”
    Still…one had to have acquaintances, at least. So Verena began holding a dinner party the first Tuesday of every month. She invited a variety ofpeople, most of them the wittier members of the demimonde. They ate, drank, laughed and talked, and she was always careful that the food was magnificent, the wine outstanding, and the conversation never boring. Soon, invitations to her parties were treasured items.
    In fact, she’d just held her last dinner party, not two weeks ago. Among her regular guests had been Lady Jessup’s new admirer, Lord Humford, who had, according to the gossips, disappeared shortly thereafter. It was rumored that he owed a great deal of money for his folly at the tables and that his options were to flee the country or be tossed into debtor’s prison. Verena was quite sure she’d have chosen a life of exciting travel over prison, as well.
    She caught James’s gaze and patted his hand. “Don’t worry about the money, however much they may ask. We will find a way to raise it. But it will be my way and by my terms or not at all.”
    â€œVer, thank you! Are you certain this won’t get you in trouble somehow?”
    â€œSurely even a Lansdowne deserves a winning streak.” Only one, of course. But one would be enough.
    Smiling to herself, she sat down with James and began to play.

Chapter 3
    There are 365 days in a year but only seven sins. That means that one can commit each of the seven sins a total of 51 times over the course of a year and still have an entire week left for atonement. Of course, that’s if you commit only one sin a day; a really determined fellow could work in a lot more.
    Mr. Scrope Davies to Edmund Valmont, while watching a sparring match at Jackson’s Salon
    T he black and yellow phaeton rolled to a stop in front of the narrow lodging on Kings Street, the matched set of grays prancing daintily. A wizened individual dressed in the buff and blue uniform of the St. Johns hopped down and raced to hold the horses.
    Brand glanced at the gray sky above with a glum glare. Damned rain. That’s all he needed to make this day a complete and utter waste.
    He glanced at the groom. “Walk the horses. I shouldn’t be above ten minutes.”
    The groom led the horses off as Brandon made his way to the front stoop. He placed his foot on the bottom step and paused to pull off his gloves as the wind tugged hard on the length of his greatcoat.
    The residence appeared presentable, which was surprising considering the type of female Chase admired. Brandon could just imagine