The Rake's Handbook Read Online Free PDF Page A

Publishing a handbook of questionable taste, reckless wagers over females, multiple mistresses, and maybe even a lady handing him a baby on his doorstep.
    â€œOnly harmless words, dear lady. If judged by my actions today, you will find I am a proper gentleman.”
    â€œYou call sitting scandalously close to a lady you have just met proper?”
    â€œTouché. But this rock is small, and I’ve no intention of sitting in the lake.”
    â€œAre you telling me that you are no longer a rake, and thus do not seduce women? What about your infamous wager with a Lord Parker over a fly? I heard a beautiful lady was somehow involved. Was that story false?”
    â€œWe were mere youths. Besides, that fly was a private wager. My scoundrel of a fly was smaller than Parker’s oaf of a fly and more likely to leave the window first—or so I thought. I had nothing to do with the brawl afterward, but nevertheless, I paid the lady innkeeper for her five windows.” He lifted his chin in mock indignation.
    She laughed heartily. “Yes, I understand how that tale might be misconstrued as gaming.” She attempted a serious expression. “Clearly spirits were not involved. I am glad you are not a rake, because now I won’t have to fend off any attempts at seduction.”
    His grin was a mixture of expressions, half amusement, half devoid of shame. “A proper gentleman always gives a lady what she desires. I would be honored to have you fend me off, but I didn’t hear a please .”
    â€œOh, no. I just meant to teas—”
    â€œThe rakes I know don’t seduce innocents . Spoils one’s reputation. Besides, too much talking involved, explanations, flattery.” He uncrossed his arms, leaned back, and rested on his palms. “I wrote all this down in a book, of course. The title is The Rake’s Handbook .” Another unnatural and wholly wicked grin spread across his lips. “ Including Field Guide .” The silence stretched. “Have you read it?”
    â€œNo, no, of course not.”
    â€œI know the words by heart. For your amusement and pleasure, I’d be honored to recite the first chapter for you now.”
    She should be affronted, not amused, but she laughed anyway. “That is not necessary, I can assure you.” Was he trying to shock her or determine if she was married? Either way, he was an expert tease and a devilishly clever man. “I’m a widow, so I’m not in your book.”
    â€œYes, you are, my fetching female. I included widows in the handbook section, the first part of the book. My friend, George Drexel, penned the second part, the field guide. In that section, Drexel praises widows in great detail.” He let out a warm, deep laugh. “It’s rather shocking, but Drexel lists widows under the heading ‘Houses to Let.’”
    â€œOh.” His brazen innuendo proved unstoppable. Since his conversation and good looks had a profound effect upon her heart rate, not to mention her clarity of mind, he must be a professional seducer. If so, she might be fishing in a lake far too deep to be safe for a respectable lady.
    She tried to crawl around him, but he kept his focus on a butterfly spiraling over the tall reeds for a full minute, so he failed to move his well-muscled thigh, and blocked her exit. Then he leaped to his feet and held out his hand to assist her. Without thought, she accepted his offer. The warmth of his palm caused her breath to catch, and she expected him to let go.
    He did not let go.
    â€œYou really are a rake,” she whispered, the sight and feel of their joined hands warming her cheeks. “A proper gentleman would never hold a lady thus. I have been warned about your charms. Perhaps I too should write everything down. Pen a handbook to instruct my widowed sisters about what to expect upon attempted seduction and how to fight it.”
    â€œFactual or satirical?”
    She bit