Once Upon a Rake Read Online Free PDF

a hand to
Ellie and kept his face expressionless when she slipped her fingers into his.
He released her hand as soon as humanly possible before striding up the steep
set of stairs into the entrance hall. Though the house was modelled on a
medieval abode on the outside, inside it was every inch a fine, modern home
with marvelled pillars, and black and white tiled floors.
    He paused to signal to a
nearby maid to bring drinks. He didn’t need to say anything—his staff knew what
was expected of them. He had a strong routine though his early return and being
accompanied by a lady no doubt would give them all something to gossip about.
He even caught the maid’s quick glance at Ellie as his guest paused to view the
bust of his father set into a recess at the back of the room.
    With the light streaming in
through the front door and highlighting the side of her face, he realised just
how much little Ellie Browning had grown. He’d been thrown off by those young
eyes and innocent features, but her posture and elegance told him much of the
change in her. Seven years ago she had been as awkward as a new-born lamb with
no posture to speak of.
    The image was spoiled when
she turned and her hat spilled from her head. She snatched it up and shoved
some of those loose curls from her face. Perhaps not everything had changed,
though, if he thought about it, she was a darned sight more pleasing to look
at. Not a beauty however, he reminded himself sharply.
    “Will you come into the
drawing room?”
    “Certainly.”
    She followed him in a regal
manner but he saw the dark spots staining her cheeks and knew the hat incident
had cost her. She eyed him as if waiting for him to comment on the faux pas.
Perhaps her stuffy old husband had scolded her for any clumsiness. Poor girl.
She hadn’t even been eighteen when she had married the old codger.
    But what did he care?
    Oh, yes, he didn’t,
remember?
    He indicated to a seat and
went to stand by the window. He waited until she had sat before turning to face
her. “Now, Ellie, what is it you want and why have you been so eager to see me
that you would risk being robbed and Lord knows what else? I hope it is a good
reason indeed.”

Chapter
Three
    Tea for Two
    Eleanor peered up at him, noting the dip between his
brows as if he was indeed very angry with her. Perhaps he was, though why he
should care what happened to her person, she did not know. Likely it was her
intrusion on his time that annoyed him most. Mama had said that Lord Rushbourne
was rarely seen outside of his mills in the next county and his home.
    Why the sudden dislike of
society though? The Lucian she had known relished spending time at parties and
balls. She had realised rather too late that it was so he could get foxed and
find some enjoyable company. She, in her foolishness, had thought him a great
deal of fun and had even harboured hopes he came to see her. After all, their
families had known one another for years. The match had been in her mind long
before she had even thought of Lucian as anything other than a friend.
    “If you had read my letters,
you would know why I wished to speak with you,” she replied, trying to keep her
voice steady.
    It was hard in the presence
of such a man. He had a way of looking at her that made her feel small and
silly. It didn’t help that she had fallen into his arms twice now and had
embarrassed herself with her ridiculous hat and hair.
    It had been seven years
since she had seen Lucian and he was still as handsome as ever. Not even the
raised, red scar on the side of his face detracted from that. Time had done him
many favours. The tiny lines knitting his brow removed any suggestion of the
boyish demeanour he’d once had and she spotted a few silver threads in the dark
brown hair at his temples. With his dark brows, long lashes and glinting green
eyes, there was no mistaking Lucian for anything other than a thoroughly
handsome man.
    One way above her reach. She
laughed inwardly. That