Taming the Rake Read Online Free PDF

ton. Wastrels, rapscallions, men who drank too much, gambled too much, and treated women abominably, had existed far too long without check.
    “It’s the challenge,” Gina said. “I look at a man like Coventry and I see everything I despise. He defies convention and laughs at the rest of us while he does it. There’s a certain irony in bringing such a man around to the most conventional of institutions. And I think it’s high time that Lord Coventry learned a lesson about a woman’s worth.”
    And she was just the woman to show him. And in the process, if she happened to put his life in order, so much the better.
    “I’ve decided how best to put my strengths to use,” Gina added. “I’m going to turn his dissolute world on its ear.”
    “How are you going to do that?”
    “I’ll show him everything a proper wife can do for him.” The list of tasks to be accomplished was already quickly building in her head. Gina folded her arms across her chest. “I’ll make order out of chaos. Shine light into dark.”
    “You have that look on your face,” Claire said warily.
    “What look?” Gina asked innocently.
    “The one that says nothing can get in your way.”
    Gina smiled, pleased. Confident in her abilities, she had absolutely no intention of failing. Once Coventry realized what she could do for him, he’d come around fast enough. “He won’t even see it coming.”
    Claire shook her head. “I almost feel sorry for him.”
    “Don’t,” Gina said. “He’ll only get a fraction of what he deserves.”
     
     
    I don’t deserve this, Coventry thought. No bad deed could warrant the tedium and torture of an intimate society dinner.
    He’d arrived in time to join the men with their port, apologizing to his host for the unexpected delay. The Duke of St. Albans had chuckled good-naturedly. “Was it a winning or a losing delay?”
    Coventry met his amused grin with one of his own. “Losing, I’m afraid.”
    “Ah, then it was unexpected.” The duke had clapped him on the back and led him into the drawing room. “I must say, I’m surprised to see you here at all. Not really your sort of thing, is it, my boy?”
    Coventry shook his head. “No, Your Grace. But my sister was in need of an escort.”
    The duke laughed. “Apparently, she still is,” he said, referring to Coventry’s late arrival.
    “It was rather poorly done of me,” Coventry said, not the least bit sorry. “Would you, by any chance—”
    The duke stopped him, holding up his hand. “Don’t look at me. I’ve got enough problems escorting my own. Five offers,” he mumbled, shaking his head in disbelief. “And truth be told I’d rather avoid this sort of thing myself.” A flash of blue silk and the delicate scent of French perfume drew both men from their conversation. The duchess was headed their way and the duke couldn’t tear his eyes away from her as she approached. “But a man will do many things when he is in love.”
    And from his expression, it was clear that the Duke of St. Albans was very much in love with his new bride. Such an overt display of sentiment made Coventry uncomfortable. But he was saved from having to reply by the arrival of the duchess.
    “Your Grace.” He took her hand and bowed. “I apologize for my tardiness.”
    The duchess laughed, a delicate, tinkling sound. “You’re not sorry at all, you’re incorrigible.” She leaned over to whisper. “But be forewarned. The countess is furious.”
    Coventry grinned. He’d always admired Lady Louisa Manners, even before she’d caught the eye of the widowed duke. It wasn’t just her fey beauty (which was enchanting). But with her, there was no pretense and no condemnation. “Consider me warned. But I’m afraid it is a state I am quite used to when it comes to my mother.”
    Speak of the devil.
    “There you are, Coventry.” He flinched. The nasally sound of her voice grated on every nerve ending. “Nice of you to join us.”
    The duke and duchess