The Dangerous Love of a Rogue Read Online Free PDF Page A

alone. You’re lucky he did not ravish you and wait on someone to happen along and see the two of you together. His situation is even more desperate than last year. The man cannot curb his spending, his debt is spiralling. There is not a prudent bone in his body. He’s fortune-hunting, hard.”
    Mary’s gaze fell to John’s diamond cravat pin. She did not argue. Lord Framlington had proved John right – and her wrong. Very wrong.
    Every word John spoke was true, she knew that, but something within her burned for Lord Framlington. He’d lit a flame in her a year ago, and it refused to be snuffed and if her heart had longed for Lord Framlington for a year, now it screamed… He had kissed her and fulfilled every expectation fostered in her dreams.

    She shut her eyes to escape a giddy sensation. Simply thinking about his kiss caused her to ache for him.
    She opened her eyes, denying her inner clamour. “I know, John, it was a mistake. I will not do it again.”
    “Do not fret, Mary, no one saw.” Kate linked her arm with Mary’s. “Did Lord Framlington do or say something to frighten you? Has he upset you?”
    “No.” Mary looked at Kate. There was no need for her family to know he’d kissed her. She did not wish John, her father, or her uncles, calling Lord Framlington out. It was only a kiss after all, no harm, not really. Except, if she’d stayed, she did not think it would have ended there. John was right: Lord Framlington was trouble. He had intended ravishment.
    Why did her silly heart have to make her stomach flutter at the thought?
    “He did not touch you?” John’s fingers rested on her shoulder, his voice filled with concern, but there was an edge of anger to.
    Her eyes turned to his. “No.” Guilt thrust its knife into her breast. “Honestly, John, Lord Framlington merely frightened me. I know I made a mistake.”
    Lord Framlington had made her lie.
    John’s fingers fell away from her shoulder. “Well, if he’s scared you, you will hopefully never make such an error again.”
    “Yes.” She would not, she had learned her lesson. This could have ended with awful consequences. She felt torn in two, he heart pulled one way, towards danger, while her head and her family pulled another. She must listen to her head and heed common-sense.
    If I’d been seen with him?
    The blood drained from Mary’s head. “May we go home?”
    “If you wish.” John looked at her, his gaze deep with concern, as though he only half believed her assurance. “I’ll send for the carriage.” He turned away.

    “We shall say our goodbyes, John.” Kate drew Mary closer and began walking across the lawn to where Lady Jersey stood among a knot of friends.
    “He did disturb you,” Kate whispered, “and I’m sure it was over more than nothing. You do not have to tell me, but just mind what John says and do not allow yourself to be drawn in by Lord Framlington’s charm.”
    Mary looked at the woman she thought of as a full sister. “It was nothing, really, just nonsense.” She was lucky, her family may caution, but they would always support her. Mary smiled. Kate smiled too, but her eyebrows lifted again.
    “Nonsense to a woman, Mary, is manoeuvring to a man. Beware, males are predatory and determined when they choose to be, and Lord Framlington is of that ilk. Avoid him.”
    “I was… I am… I just… I never thought he would follow.”
    “Well, doing the things we never expect, is what they do,” Kate advised conspiratorially. “But I will convince John not to tell your father and mother of this. No need for you to listen to this lecture twice.”
    Mary’s smile lifted a little. “Thank you.”
    “Now let us get our goodbyes over with, and then, shall we stop at Gunter’s for an ice; the day is so hot, I am positively melting.” With that Kate flicked open her fan and began to waft the warm early summer air over them both, looking towards Lady Jersey.
    Mary’s gaze spun away scanning the lawn full