London's Perfect Scoundrel Read Online Free PDF Page A

well blush. He probably thought beet-red was her natural coloring, anyway. “You already did, and I refused you.”
    St. Aubyn chuckled, the sound unexpected and warm. Even his eyes lit just a little, and she wondered for a fleeting moment why he seemed so determined to be jaded and cynical all the time.
    â€œSharing my bed was a suggestion, not a request. A very good suggestion, by the way.”
    â€œNo, it wasn’t. I don’t even like you. Why would I want to…become intimate with you?”
    For a moment he looked genuinely surprised. “What does liking someone have to do with anything? It’s the act that’s pleasurable.”
    Oh, God, now she was going to faint . Discussing sexual intercourse in the middle of a ballroom with the Marquis of St. Aubyn was akin to a demand to be ruined. He’d kept his voice low, though, and she hoped no one had overhead their discussion. As for what else anyone might think she could possibly be chatting about with him, she would worry about that later. “I admit to ignorance about the details you discuss,” she returned, “but I would think any interaction between two people would be…nicer if genuine affection were involved.”
    â€œYour naïveté is truly remarkable,” he said, then lowered his head to whisper, “and I would be happy to relieve your ignorance.”
    His lips brushed her ear, feather-light, and she shivered. He’s just playing with me , she told herself desperately. He’s bored, and he’s trying to keep himself entertained . “Stop that,” she commanded, annoyed that her voice shook.
    The waltz ended, and he released her before she could pull away. She expected another intimate, insulting comment, but instead he sketched an elegant bow. “You’ve fulfilled your part of our agreement,” he said, lips curving in a soft smile. “Be there at ten tomorrow morning to meet your escort. If you’re late, you lose the opportunity.”
    Again before she could react, he strolled into the crowd of guests. They parted in a wave before him. Evie abruptly felt the need for some fresh air.
    The noisy, tittering crowd parted for her as well, as she made her way to the balcony. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she didn’t need to; their conversation would feature the Ruddick name and the St. Aubyn title, and that couldn’t be good.
    â€œEvie,” a female voice said behind her, and a hand clasped hers.
    â€œLucinda,” she returned, light-headed with relief. “I had no idea you were h—”
    â€œAre you mad?” Lucinda Barrett continued in the same hushed voice, though from her smile anyone in the audience would think they were discussing primroses. “St. Aubyn? Do you know what your brother would say if he knew?”
    â€œI’m sure he does know,” Evie answered, as they stepped out onto the cool balcony. “The only time he notices I have a mind of my own is when I’m doing something he doesn’t approve of.”
    Lucinda gazed at her with serious hazel eyes. “This time I would be inclined to agree with him. Rebellion is one thing, but St. Aubyn?”
    â€œDid you know he’s on the board of trustees at the Heart of Hope Orphanage?”
    Her friend’s mouth opened and closed again. “No, I didn’t. The poor dears. But Evie, what does that have to do with the price of pudding?”
    â€œI want to begin some programs there,” Evelyn answered, wondering how she could convince Lucinda about the importance of her plans when she didn’t quite understand yet herself why it was becoming so significant.
    â€œThat’s…admirable.”
    â€œYou don’t think I can do it, do you?” she retorted, the evening’s frustrations making her voice harder than she intended.
    â€œIt’s not that,” Lucinda said quickly. “It’s…If you’ve