Lady Libertine Read Online Free PDF

have steered clear of the place because frankly, he could have lived without the drama.
    But it was not to be so.
    Gatton had hurried towards him, pulling up a little too close. The earl had not given ground, but really, the man’s perfume had been singularly unpleasant.
    ‘Hamersley, I would have words with you.’
    ‘Well, have them then,’ Rand had said wearily. He really wanted a drink.
    ‘I read the Lady Libertine column on Tuesday, and I believe, sir, you owe me an explanation!’
    Rand, briefly, had considered giving him one. An unvarnished one about how his fiancé was desirous of something a little more seductive than awkward fumblings and slobbery kisses. Women, all women, wanted a little finesse in their lovemaking, something that a title did not automatically bestow. Under the circumstances, however, it was a tricky subject to broach. Now was not the time.
    ‘Lady Libertine?’ he’d said instead, ‘Lady Libertine ? Good God, man! I thought only the ladies gave credence to that rot.’
    Gatton had blinked, taken aback. ‘It said that you were in the conservatory with my fiancée.’
    ‘Which conservatory?’
    ‘At the Scunthorpe ball!’
    ‘My dear Gatton, there were a great many people in the conservatory at the Scunthorpe ball. Are you suggesting that I was alone with Lady Astor in the conservatory?’
    Gatton had paused. Clearly, the conversation had not been going as he had imagined it would. Just as clearly, Rand had known he had to get out of there as quickly as possible. The duke was not the brightest spark to illuminate the ton , but even he would probably be able to collect his dull-witted thoughts at some stage and it wasn’t a conversation Rand was keen to continue.
    He had almost decided not to attend Julia’s ball because he was not in the mood to be nice, but it had been several weeks since he seen her and he wanted to check on her progress.
    After White’s, he’d contemplate returning home, packing up a few things and heading directly for his hunting lodge in Shropshire. It would take him a few days to get there, but he fancied some fresh air. As he had discovered on so many occasions before, London could get very dreary after awhile. He’d always found the solitude of the lodge soothing. Sometimes he went there with friends and they actually hunted, but most of the time he went by himself and enjoyed the silence. It was a retreat.
    If he retreated for a month or so all that silly business with Gatton would have disappeared. People, he reflected bitterly, could be very tiresome.
    ‘Rand!’
    The breathy whisper brought his head around sharply and he peered through the fronds of a lush philodendron, straight into the angelic blue eyes of Lady Caroline Astor. ‘Oh hello, Caro. What the devil are you doing back there?’
    She beckoned him towards her urgently. ‘Gatton, have you seen him?’
    He shuddered a little at the memory. ‘Unfortunately, I have.’
    ‘Oh Rand! You did not hit him did you?’
    His lordship listened to the mix of horror and delight in her voice with distaste. Women! They always wanted to think themselves the center of some melodrama. Julia was the only female who did not insist on playing ridiculous games, but then, Julia was a Hamersley and had more sense than that.
    ‘We both survived the encounter. I sold him some flummery so perhaps it would be best to just play innocent when he sees you again. It shouldn’t be too hard,’ he added cynically, ‘just sit on his lap and tell him he’s the new Adonis. The man is a fool. He would believe anything.’
    ‘So you managed to convince him that there was nothing in it?’ Caroline’s lovely face lit up and she clapped her hands together. ‘Oh Rand, how clever of you!’
    ‘It isn’t entirely up to me, you know. You have to turn on the honey, convince him that he is the love of your life.’
    ‘Of course. I understand completely.’ Parting the leaves of the philodendron, she bent forward, allowing him an