Saved by a Rake Read Online Free PDF Page B

would be much reduced in the country too. Besides, the country is so dull during the Season, for everyone is in London. I beg of you, Mama, let us stay a few more days and see if we can rise above the drawing room chatter.”
    Her ladyship considered her daughter for long moments before pursing her lips. The only noise she could hear was the ticking of the long case clock in the foyer.
    “ I do not approve of this course of action, Rebecca, but—that said—it was you who suffered at the hands of the Earl of Newthorpe. It is you who must make the decision. If at any time you wish to change your mind, we can have a move back to Chapelbrooke Manor organised within one day. You just have to say. Understood?”
    “ Yes, Mama.”
    What had she done? Her own heart beat a tattoo in her eardrums, and her mouth had gone dry. She had forced the issue in order to face the judgement of the Ton and some of the most unforgiving people that she would ever meet.
    She remained seated in the chaise for a long time, listening to the birds in the garden outside the parlour window and wondering how her life would now play out.
    There were a number of older ladies in the Ton who seemed perfectly happy without a husband. From now on she would be responsible for her own happiness.
    She grimaced inwardly. She had never been particularly partial to Newthorpe , and she had assumed her life would be tolerable at best with him. She was twenty-four and her father had all but arranged the match, knowing that Newthorpe would not mind her paltry dowry. She did not know for sure, though she suspected her father had lost a lot of money from bad investments and then a run of bad luck at the gaming tables. Most men were not interested in fortune-hunting wives and certainly not fortune hunters who had lost their innocence.
    Even though the way she had been freed from Newthorpe ’s clutches would no doubt haunt her forever, it gave her some comfort that she now had gained back some element of control.

Chapter Five
    “ No need to announce us, Timms. I can introduce my friend here.” James smiled warmly at the straight-faced butler as he handed him his cloak, hat and gloves. Daniel did likewise and nodded his thanks to the servant before James beckoned him towards the drawing room door.
    Daniel hated afternoon Ton events. He would have much preferred to spend his time at one of his clubs. He may be a rake, but his wealth and status still made him a favourite of every mama with an unwed daughter—particularly those whose daughters were in their middle twenties.
    Why anyone would want him to marry their daughter was beyond him. He had never had relations with an innocent—heaven forbid—but he had never made a secret of his liaisons with the young, beautiful widows among the Ton .
    H e had promised Eversley that he would give him moral support at his mother’s first at home since Newthorpe had spread scurrilous rumours about Lady Rebecca. Besides, as a friend, it was his duty to keep Eversley out of trouble while he was still in a murderous mood.
    As they entered the lavishly furnished drawing room, Daniel surveyed the other guests. Most of the ladies sat in a variety of chairs and chaises while men milled around in small groups. The Countess of Chapelbrooke held court in the centre, pouring tea and giving orders.
    The at home had been well-attended, probably so the many guests would have a salacious story about Lady Rebecca to tell next morning in the other drawing rooms in Mayfair. He spotted Rebecca sitting on a chaise beside another young lady with dark curled hair in an elegant coiffure.
    Rebecca ’s blonde curls were understated in comparison, but to Daniel’s, admittedly untrained, eyes, she was all the more beautiful for the lack of fussiness. He had never before had reason to consider Lady Rebecca Eversley, since he had never been interested in unmarried girls before. They represented leg shackles and a life of misery. However, his father’s