The Luck of the Devil Read Online Free PDF Page A

to be enjoying themselves more than Rowanne! Drat the man anyway. She supposed he would never go away until he got what he wanted, whatever that might be. Goodness, he couldn't expect a kiss as forfeit for a missed dance, could he? Never! Well, at least never in front of her brother, Miss Simpson, and half the ton. And why was he grinning so widely, with his even white teeth and dimples, as if he could read her mind? The lady that she was, the lady that she would be, certainly did not make bywords of themselves in public!
    Rowanne quickly glanced from side to side, fumbled to unpin the cameo brooch at her neckline, and dashed forward. With her cheeks burning, she handed the pin to Lieutenant Delverson and whispered, "For luck," while Harry and Joss cheered.
    Carey bowed, blew her a kiss, and left, thank heavens. The hostesses shooed the onlookers back into the ballroom and signaled the band to begin again. Rowanne sent Gabe to fetch their cloaks and have the carriage brought round. For a moment, waiting in the foyer and hoping her cheeks had finally cooled, Rowanne thought her Season was over before it had begun. Mrs. Drummond-Burrell fixed her with a Gorgon's stare and declared that she was sorely disappointed.
    "I had been impressed with you, Miss Wimberly, because you were not as giddy as the other harum-scarum young females. I was pleased to see you not succumb to the loose behavior that threatened to turn Almack's into an undignified romp for the first time in memory. But association with that young man cannot do your credit any good. To be frank, if Carey Delverson was not leaving the country tomorrow, I would vote to revoke your voucher."
    Even kind-hearted Lady Cowper gave Rowanne a sorrowful look that told her that she was in disgrace, although none of the contretemps had been of Rowanne's making, and she had done the only thing possible to end the bumblebroth and send the muddle-headed Delversons on their way. A lady simply never made a spectacle of herself in such a manner. Never.
    It was Sally Jersey who reassured her. That lady put her arm around Rowanne's shoulders and spoke loudly enough for the passing company to hear. "It was not at all the thing, my dear, but I vow any woman here would have done the same."
Chapter Four
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    S ome members of the ton suspected Miss Wimberly of being fast, others held that she was firm under fire. No one forgot her first appearance at Almack's. The highest sticklers might have disdained her company at their select affairs, but Rowanne might not have accepted anyway. Miss Wimberly had quite enough invitations to keep her busy, thank you.
    The first weeks after the Almack's debut, London beaux wanted to meet the paragon who could attract such a noted connoisseur as Carey Delverson. The young ladies wanted to become acquainted in case the elusive St. Dillon came to call. A great deal of wildness can be excused in a twenty-five-year-old bachelor duke with a handsome face and a fortune at his command. Harry and his brother, though, traveled to Southampton with their cousin, saw Carey onto his ship, and then decided to go hunting on the Isle of Wight. Then there was talk of a new Irish stud up for auction, grouse season in Scotland, a luscious set of twins with a traveling players' company.
    Rowanne's popularity continued despite the absence of the Delversons. As her notoriety wore off, Miss Wimberly came to be appreciated for her own charms, ease of conversation, quiet dignity, gentle warmth, and a dowry not to be sneezed at. She had a steady court of gentlemen, a comfortable number of lady friends, and an ever-widening circle of admirers among the ton.
    On clear days Rowanne went for rides in the park at nine, morning calls at eleven, Venetian breakfasts after noon, waltz parties at three. She was back to be seen in the park at the fashionable saunter at four, then off to a dinner party, followed by the theater or opera, assembly, rout, or drum, sometimes two or three an