The Care and Taming of a Rogue Read Online Free PDF Page A

see her at once, before she hears the news from someone else!”
    Sonja Depris did seem to have a preternatural ear for news and gossip. “Don’t forget to tell her that you’ve seen Kero, as well,” Phillipa called after her sister as Olivia pranced out of the room.
    “I wouldn’t be surprised if that girl dances in her sleep,” their father commented once Olivia was out of earshot.
    “She does the waltz,” Phillipa replied with a smile.
    “Of course.” He leaned forward a little. “So tell me, what do you make of this Bennett Wolfe business? It almost seems a shame for him to reappear after everyone’s had a chance to read Captain Langley’s book. He was a hero; Langley showed us his…mortal side.”
    With a frown, Phillipa stabbed at her poached eggs. “I don’t know. He certainly didn’t seem overly cautious or indecisive in his books. I didn’t see any of that in him last night, either.”
    “He did return five months after being declared dead.”
    She shrugged. “He’s still seen and accomplished more than anyone else I’ve ever met.” And he still had possession of her copy of Across the Continent , a fact that, far from annoying her as she would have expected, had given her a rather pleasant shiver when she recalled it this morning.
    “I shall not take that personally.” Her father finished his breakfast, then stood to kiss her on the forehead once more. “I’ve a meeting. If you would, tell your mother I’ll be home to take luncheon with her.”
    “Certainly. And I think I’ll tell her about Bennett Wolfe, as well, since Livi is telling everyone else in Mayfair.”
    “That sounds fair enough to me.”
    As her father disappeared out the front door, Phillipa climbed the stairs and made her way through the maze of short hallways to the room at the far northwest corner of the house. Knocking softly on the half-open door, she entered without waiting for a response.
    “Good morning,” she said, smiling as she noted that the frail figure in the large bed was not only awake, but sitting upright.
    “Good morning, Flip,” Venora Eddison, Lady Leeds, returned, motioning her daughter closer. “Help Simpson tow me over to my sitting chair, will you? If I have to lie in bed for one more day I will expire from boredom.”
    “Of course.” Phillipa moved to her mother’s left shoulder while the lady’s maid, Simpson, supported her right side. “Papa says he’ll be home to take luncheon with you. And your color is much improved this morning, if I say so myself,” she commented as she and the maid steadied her mother and slowly walked her to the large, overstuffed chair by the window.
    “I feel much improved this morning,” the marchioness agreed. “I don’t think I coughed over a half-dozen times last night, and the fever hasn’t returned.” Clearly out of breath, she sank into the chair.
    “You still need to rest, Mama, or you’ll get sick all over again.”
    “Lady Phillipa, will you sit with my lady while I fetch her some peppermint tea and a broth?” Simpson asked, stooping to tuck a blanket around the marchioness’s legs.
    “Gladly.” Phillipa sat in the chair opposite her mother as the maid disappeared down the stairs. “I don’t suppose Livi has been in here to see you yet this morning.”
    “No. I did hear her running down the hallway shrieking for her bonnet. Something is stirring, I assume? I do hope it’s not another scandal for Prinny.”
    “If there is one, I haven’t heard of it yet.” Generally she wasn’t much for gossip, but this was different. Firstly, she’d actually seen the man, touched him, and spoken to him, so he wasn’t a figment of her imagination. And secondly, this wasn’t about who was escorting whom to a dance, or who’d managed the first engagement of the Season. For once it was actually something that interested her.
    “Well, don’t leave me in suspense, my dear.”
    Phillipa drew a breath, that excitement and anticipation she’d