London's Perfect Scoundrel Read Online Free PDF Page A

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.
    “Evie,” a female voice said behind her, and a hand clasped hers.
    “Lucinda,” she returned, light-headed with relief. “I had no idea you were h—”
    “Are 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?”
    “I’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?”
    “Did 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?”
    “I 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.
    “That’s…admirable.”
    “You don’t think I can do it, do you?” she retorted, the evening’s frustrations making her voice harder than she intended.
    “It’s not that,” Lucinda said quickly. “It’s…If you’ve decided how you want to focus your energies, there are other places and in better areas that aren’t associated with the Marquis of St. Aubyn.”
    “Yes, I know. But I chose this place before I knew about him, and I think it would be cowardly of me to turn away from those in need simply because one board member has a poor reputation.” He was the chairman of the board, and “poor” didn’t begin to describe his reputation, actually, but that didn’t change the argument.
    “Even so,” her friend said, more slowly, “that doesn’t explain why you were waltzing with him.”
    “Oh. That was a trade: He agreed to have someone show me about the orphanage tomorrow if I would waltz with him.”
    From her expression, Lucinda remained unconvinced that Evie hadn’t lost her mind. Good friend that she was, though, Miss Barrett only nodded. “Please just remember, St. Aubyn never does anything without exacting a price, and what he does is never in anyone else’s best interest.”
    The memory of his lips brushing her ear made Evie shiver. “I do know that, Luce. Contrary to popular male opinion, I’m not a complete idiot.”
    “Even so, you may want to discuss St. Aubyn with Dare. They know one another.”
    “Oh, very well, if it’ll make you feel any better.”
    “How I feel doesn’t signify, Evie. Just be cautious.”
    “I will.” She sighed at Lucinda’s worried expression. “I promise.”
    Victor stood waiting for her just inside. “Evie.”
    Motioning for Lucinda to go, Evelyn wondered whether one had to be of a certain age before suffering an apoplexy, or if anyone could succumb. “Victor.”
    He grabbed her arm, the gesture seemingly affectionate, except that it would likely leave a bruise. “We are leaving,” he rumbled. “Of all the stupid, naive, empty-headed—”
    “One more word,” she said in a low voice, “and I will fall to the floor in a dead faint. That will make you look very, very mean.”
    With a baleful look, he released her. “We will continue this at home,” he growled.
    Wonderful . “Undoubtedly.” She glanced over his shoulder, seeing a dark-haired savior approaching. “Now, if you don’t mind, my partner for the quadrille is