The Rake's Redemption Read Online Free PDF

shall miss Mrs. Forbes’s tea. I do hope she will share that secret with me.”
    Juliana laid down her napkin, feeling much stronger after eating, ready to again take charge. “Recipes will wait, Aunt Sophia. First we must inquire from Benjamin about our coach.”
    “I’ve already spoken to him,” Dominic stated, causing Juliana’s eyes to widen in surprise. Her first assumption had been correct. The man was overbearing! If he sensed her surprise at his presumption, it did not seem to bother him in the slightest, for he continued in the same casual voice. “A new pole is needed. The wheelwright told Benjamin it will take at least two days to repair. But I would be happy to send to London for one of my own coaches. It could be here by tomorrow morning.”
    A faint clucking from Sophia indicated her dismay, but Juliana lifted her chin, returning the marquis’s level look. “Thank you, my lord. But we would not think of inconveniencing you. Aunt Sophia and I shall be quite comfortable here until our coach is repaired.”
    “Whatever will you do to amuse yourselves for two days?” Freddie asked in frank bewilderment.
    “We shall walk in the lovely gardens I saw below my bedroom window, copy Mrs. Forbes’s excellent recipes, perhaps, even picnic in the woods. It shall be quite pleasant!” Juliana declared, glaring at the marquis, defying him to disagree.
    A smile played at the corners of Dominic’s lips. Juliana was not in the usual fashion of women of his acquaintance. That in itself was an enticement. “Indeed, Juliana, that sounds most intriguing. So much so, that I believe Freddie and I will break our journey here for a day or two.”
    At his words Juliana’s face became a delight, the long-lashed slanting eyes widened and her luscious, full lower lip fell open slightly.
    Freddie directed an astonished look at him, which he blandly returned. “But Timmings only packed three fresh neck cloths! Told you it wasn’t a good idea to send Pringle and Timmings ahead to London from Carstair’s hunting box.” He gestured toward Dominic. “Of course, you as creator of the Aubrey Nonpareil haven’t a problem. But I need Timmings’s touch to accomplish a respectable fold.”
    Sophia smiled complacently. “Nonsense, Freddie. Your cravat is all we could ask for. Besides, our lady’s maid has gone ahead of us, too. So we can be quite comfortable and informal here.”
    “Sophia is right, Freddie. And if need be, I’ll teach you my trick for the Waterfall,” Dominic offered lazily.
    Freddie’s response was ludicrously serious. “Is that so, Dom? Why now after all the times I’ve asked before?”
    “Because it pleases me now. As it pleases me to stay here with this charming company. After all, there is nothing pressing to attend to in London.” It was true. The endless soirees, gaming halls, and bagnios in which he sought surcease were not of the least importance.
    Juliana was a dazzler, and she intrigued him. She appeared to know nothing about him, so for these few days he would allow himself the pleasure of her company. No doubt, by then he would have his answer. She was either an exceptional actress who was playing her cards just right to interest him, or she would reveal herself to be as boring as all the other women of his acquaintance. Then he would be eager for London. But not just yet.
    His eyes encountered Sophia’s for a fleeting instant, just long enough for him to catch the glimmer of her amused smile. She rose from the table, picking out the folds of her gown. “That will be quite pleasant, Dominic. Now, I believe I shall begin in the kitchen with Mrs. Forbes. She spoke of gathering herbs that I might take to London with me.” She turned to her niece. “There is a stone bench in the center of the garden. You should rest there in the sun this morning, love, but be sure to take your sunshade.”
    Doing his best to engage Juliana’s attention, Freddie hovered beside her. “I would be most