To Wed a Wild Lord Read Online Free PDF Page B

have challenged him to a race. “I’d have thought you’d prefer the privacy of a waltz for that, to prevent any chance of your grandfather finding out what you’re contemplating, but if you don’t care—”
    “Oh.” She glanced nervously about. “You do have a point.”
    “It’s your decision,” he said casually. “You would probably just as soon forget the whole thing, in which case—”
    “No, indeed.” She lifted her chin and said in a carrying voice, “I’d be happy to dance with you, Lord Gabriel.”
    “Very well.” With a cordial smile, he took her to the floor, casting a triumphant glance back at Lyons. When the duke lifted his eyes heavenward, Gabe grinned.
    Not good with women, hah! What did Lyons know about it?
    True, he rarely had dealings with respectable females, but he could get a woman to marry him. He was eligible enough, despite the scandal that surrounded his family, and he was generally accounted to be handsome. And he should soon inherit a tidy fortune.
    Granted, Miss Waverly had a certain bias against him, but her current situation was very precarious. All he need do was show her his good side, soften her up a bit, and then point out the practical advantages to a marriage between them.
    How hard could it be?

Chapter Two
    A s Lord Gabriel took her to the floor, Virginia’s mind wandered to a fantasy of race day. Unlike her brother, she wouldn’t be too drunk to win. She would reach the finish line ahead of Lord Gabriel, having cut him off before he reached the boulders. Crowds of people would cheer, saying, “Those Waverlys certainly have pluck.” His friends would jeer at him for losing to a woman.
    She’d show him she wasn’t intimidated by his black phaeton and clothes and reputation. She would end his posturing as the Angel of Death, so Roger could finally rest in peace. And she could stop feeling as if Lord Gabriel tromped all over her brother’s grave every time he ran another reckless race.
    “You’re looking very lovely tonight,” Lord Gabriel said.
    His remark took her off guard. “What has that got to do with anything?” They were supposed to be talking about the race.
    He blinked. “I was just saying that you look nice in that gown.”
    She stared at him. “Do you think I don’t realize my gown is three years out of date? I know the sleeves look ridiculous, but I did my best with remaking it, and—”
    “Miss Waverly! I’m trying to pay you a compliment.”
    Color rose in her cheeks. “Oh.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
    “Because that’s what a gentleman does when dancing with a lady,” he said irritably.
    “Not when he’s only got the space of one waltz to discuss a matter of great importance,” she countered. “We’re supposed to be talking about when to have our race. And we don’t have much time.”
    “Oh, for God’s sake,” he muttered under his breath.
    “Did you think that if you flattered me, I’d forget the whole thing?”
    His eyes looked a brighter green under the candles—less like a forest and more like an ocean. “No. I was hoping to remind you of your place in the world.”
    “Which is?”
    “As a respectable member of society. One who attends balls and is sought for dances.” His voice deepened. “ Not one who is ostracized for engaging in a scandalous race.”
    Perish the man, he was as bad as Pierce. “Racing you isn’t scandalous,” she said tartly. “People do it all the time.”
    “The rules are different for men than for women, especially unmarried ones, as you well know. Racing me will instantly reduce your prospects for marriage.”
    Why did he care? “You assume that if I don’t race you, lords and rich merchants will drop at my feet like beggars at a feast.”
    His eyes became carefully blank. “Is that what you want? For a lord to beg to marry you?”
    “No, indeed,” she said as he led her expertly in the turns. No great surprise that he was a good dancer. He was probably good at anything that