Read Online Never Love a Scoundrel by Darcy Burke - Free Book Online Page A

evade answering me again, you did say you would tell me anything I wanted to know.”
    “I said anything, not everything . I can say I didn’t realize I’d scarred his face.” He gave her a mocking glance. “We haven’t spoken of it. We’re not exactly close.”
    Given the desire for vengeance that had burned in Lockwood’s eyes, Lydia was certain he blamed his half brother. But perhaps there had been mitigating circumstances. Locke wasn’t gloating about having done him harm, but neither was he apologetic. “How do you think he was injured?”
    “He fell through a window.”
    She felt a pull of allegiance toward Lockwood, probably due to Locke’s cavalier attitude. A thought occurred to her, one that might explain the divide between them. “Did you push him?”
    His shoulder lifted in a slight shrug. “I might have.”
    Again, not even a sliver of remorse, but also no note of triumph. What had happened between these men? “Why?”
    He was silent a moment as he turned her around and directed them back they way they’d come. “It’s a very long story, I’m afraid. And somewhat tedious. Probably not very appropriate ballroom talk.”
    Probably not, but she didn’t care. She was inexplicably fascinated by Lockwood. Perhaps she could goad Locke into telling her. She pretended to pout. “It’s very unsporting of you to only give me half the story.”
    He laughed. And yes, his eyes crinkled attractively. “Such a minx! We had a disagreement. Leave it at that.”
    She rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. “A disagreement? That’s what fights are. Fine, if you won’t explain, at least tell me why you’ve come to Town now and where you’ve been.”
    “I’ve been . . . around. And I’ve come to Town because my dear friend Lady Aldridge lost her husband.”
    If Lady Aldridge was his dear friend, why hadn’t he been to visit her before? What did “around” mean? She bit the questions back in favor of showing the proper respect due to Lord Aldridge. “Such a shame what happened to his lordship. Frightening, too. To think that an earl could be involved in such criminal activity and then murdered.” She shuddered.
    “Indeed,” he said. “Lady Aldridge is still quite bereaved. I believe I’ve finally convinced her to retreat to the country. She’s been reluctant to leave the house where she and the earl spent so much of their time.”
    Lydia frowned. “I called on her the other day. Her butler said she was ill.”
    “She is, which is why I’m hoping she’ll go to the country.”
    Lydia was about to ask how he knew Lady Aldridge in the first place when an older, broad-shouldered gentleman with dark gray hair stepped in their path.
    “Locke. Lady Lydia.” The Marquess of Wolverton gave her a slight bow.
    Lydia’s gut tightened. Wolverton never spoke to her. He was an Untouchable—one of the few members of Society whom Aunt Margaret had declared immune to gossip. She and Aunt Margaret stayed clear of him and went so far as to quash any rumors about him.
    His appearance in their path gave Lydia more than a touch of anxiety. “My lord,” she said with a curtsey.
    Wolverton gave her a patronizing smile. “It’s terribly rude of me, but do you mind if I steal Locke? I’ve a matter to discuss with him.”
    Wolverton and Locke had matters to discuss? This was a wonderful tidbit and one she could thankfully repeat to Aunt Margaret since Wolverton had addressed him in the middle of the ballroom.
    Lydia gave her sunniest debutante smile and withdrew her arm from Locke’s. She masked her disappointment, keeping her voice as pleasant as her face. “It’s not rude at all, my lord. Mr. Locke and I had a delightful turn.”
    Locke inclined his head toward her and gave her a mischievous little grin. “We did. And I look forward to the next time.”
    “As do I.” She transferred her smile to Locke. “Soon . ”
    They turned from her and strode away through the ballroom. Lydia pivoted, working hard to