Rescuing Rosalind (Three Original Ladies and Their Gentlemen) Read Online Free PDF Page A

role.”
    The lieutenant looked her up and down, his eyes insolent as he took in the details of her form. “Why the veil?”
    “I have a protector. He is very jealous. In fact, he is known to be violent.”
    “The devil you do!” the lieutenant exclaimed as his captain grew still more amused. “The captain can hold his own in any squabble of that sort. Do you have a friend? Someone who wouldn’t mind being seen with an old salt like me?”
    “You are too modest, Lieutenant. I find you exceedingly attractive. All that is wanting is for you to make an appearance in the greenroom of the Covent Garden Theater tonight. I will wager you will make the acquaintance of any number of young ladies who would accompany you gladly.”
    “Assuming you are right, shall we make it a party, the four of us?” he asked.
    Deal demurred. “Rosalind and I have private business this evening, Clark. I’m certain you understand.” He rose. “Now I must see if my leader has been shod, if you will excuse me.”
    Once he left the room, Lieutenant Clark turned his full attention on Fanny. “My dear, just a word of warning. The captain is a very good man. Absolutely first rate when you’re facing the enemy. But he takes a scunner at the notion of any permanent attachment.” He stood, clasped his hands behind his back, and began pacing the small room. “He is the original misogynist.”
    “Perhaps you do not know him as well as you think. He is very discreet,” she said, unable to believe she was having such an outré conversation. Feeling daring, she added, “We have had an ongoing relationship these many years.”
    Looking startled, the lieutenant peered at her, trying to make out her features. She blessed her veil.
    “Will you break with your protector, now that the captain is free?”
She pretended to consider. “That depends very much on what the captain has to offer me. More than auld lang syne , I hope. A girl has to watch out for herself, you know. She will not always be a girl.”
    Lieutenant Clark seemed struck by this. “I suppose that’s true.”
    “What’s true?” Deal entered the room.
    “I was just telling the lieutenant that girls like me need to watch out for themselves. There is no one else to do it for us if we do not.”
    The marquis started to grin and ended by throwing his head back and giving a hearty laugh. “Well, my dearest ladybird, the horse is shod and we must away. Good luck, Clark.” Patting his waistcoat, he removed a calling card. Going to the table that provided a quill and ink, he penned something on the back. “Come visit me in town if you are ever at a loose end,” he said as he handed the card over.
    When his friend left the room, Deal turned to Fanny. “You, my dear, have been excessively naughty. I suppose you must tell me with what farradiddle you entertained the lieutenant so that I might not give you away.”
    She raised her chin. “Just that we have a friendship of many years’ standing, and that you are very discreet. He said you were a misogynist. Is that true?”
    “You were right the first time. I am very discreet.”
    This answer tugged a bit at her heart. “Do you have a mistress, then?”
    “Now, why would I discuss that with a pert little minx like you? You are forgetting yourself in your enthusiasm for the part you are playing.”
    She sighed. “You have been very sporting up until now.”
    “Well, now we must go if we are to get you home before nightfall.”

{ 5 }
     
    A S HE TURNED HIS HORSES TOWARD THE ROOMS he rented in Curzon Street, Buck reflected on Rosalind’s question regarding his misogynism. He was surprised at Clark for terming him a woman-hater. He had never thought of himself that way. His lieutenant had never been privy to his personal life. It was a fact that he had steered clear of women “of quality” before. That was thanks to his mother, of course.
    However, Rosalind was the most unexpected and entertaining person he had encountered since