Redeeming a Rake Read Online Free PDF Page A

down on the floor where he howled in
rage until he saw the dangling wet ribbon and shoved it back in his
mouth. “Will you stay and take tea? My housekeeper made scones this
morning.”

    He blinked in stunned disbelief. “It would
be a pleasure.”

    “Good, because I think Alex has become
attached to you. You may have to abandon your garter or I’ll have
no peace.”

    Geoffrey looked down to see the baby happily
chewing on the red ribbon. “I can’t imagine that tastes very
good.”

    “It doesn’t.”

    “Oh?” One of his black eyebrows rose in
query.

    “Don’t laugh, but when I was a girl my
favourite game was to suck on a magic red ribbon and then rub it
over my lips and cheeks to make me beautiful.”

    “And what did you do in fairyland with
painted cheeks?”

    “I went to a ball of course where a handsome
old fashioned wigged gentleman in an embroidered jacket and
waistcoat with satin breeches and buckled shoes would ask me to
dance a cotillion after being affected by my new found beauty.
You’re not supposed to laugh.”

    “You don’t need a magic ribbon Mrs
Spencer.”

    Her sudden bashful smile made him feel like
he’d conquered the world. “It’s very kind of you to say so Your
Grace, but I do own several good mirrors. I know what I look
like.”

    “No, you don’t.” She glanced at him as if
she hoped he wasn’t merely being kind and then turned away to
direct the butler setting down a small table for the footman’s
heavy tray.

    “The ribbon your requested Madam.” She
accepted the long pink ribbon and laid it on her lap.

    “Thank you Jenkins, that will be all for the
moment. Please leave the door open.” Her hands were visibly shaking
as she cut the scone and slathered both halves with clotted cream
and strawberry preserves. She barely glanced at him as he took the
offered plate and turned to make one for herself. Holding her plate
in one hand she seemed lost in the taste until she suddenly glanced
in his direction and burst out laughing.

    “What?”

    “You have clotted cream on your cheek.”

    “I’m not the only one with cream on my
face.”

    “Oh, trust me to make a mess…” She reached
for a serviette and quickly wiped her mouth.

    “Look at me.” She obediently turned and
stared into his eyes as if he were some dashing young soldier.
“Hold still.” Wiping the cream off the tip of her nose he licked
his finger and smiled as she blushed again and turned away to look
at her child. Holding his breath, he prayed she’d look at him
again. As if she could hear his thoughts her eyes glanced up at him
causing the blood to gush through his veins demanding more. Holding
her eye he reached out again to gently wipe another glob of cream
off her cheek, but the sight of his pale skeletal finger caressing
living flesh made his heart sink in despair. She wouldn’t want to
bed a man who looked like he belonged in a mausoleum.

    “Thank you…” She touched her cheek as if his
caress had caused pleasure. “…is there any more cream on my
face?”

    His eyes trailed over her face searching for
another excuse to touch her. “Unfortunately not…”

    “Oh…good…” The words were tinged with
disappointment. “…I had the maid bring one of my ribbons to replace
the one my son has chewed. If you’ll allow me to remove my
impertinent child and his new toy…Alex, let go of His Lordship’s
ribbon so I can untie it.” The tiny creature wailed in fury as the
ribbon was tugged from his mouth and unwound from Geoffrey’s leg.
He held his breath as she bent over him affording an unwitting view
of her charms. Geoffrey gulped down the hunger as kind fingers
hovered near his knee, untying his garter and handing it to her
child who was immediately placated as if it had never left his
mouth. The angel then rose and knelt in front of him and proceeded
to reverently tie a pink ribbon around his leg as if she were
paying homage to a prince. Her head leaned closer as she