Read Online Never Trust a Rogue by Olivia Drake - Free Book Online
Authors: Olivia Drake
Tags: Fiction, Historical fiction, General, Romance, Historical, Man-Woman Relationships, Love Stories, Murder, London (England), Investigation, Aristocracy (Social Class) - England, Heiresses
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months.”
The reminder had the desired effect. George relaxed his grip on her shoulders, although he still regarded her warily. “Heed me well, Edith. Lindsey will have the final say in who she marries. I will not have you forcing her into a union she does not favor.”
“Of course not.”
Edith’s expression turned calculating as she watched him stride out of the chamber. She would not relinquish this perfect opportunity to bolster her position in the very highest circles. When the time came, Lindsey would make the right choice.
Edith intended to make certain of that.
Chapter 6
Lindsey staved off boredom as she danced with Lord Wrayford. The hour was past midnight, and it would be embarrassing to yawn in the middle of a crowded ballroom. Not to mention unspeakably rude. Luckily, it was a country tune with two long lines of dancers. The complicated steps required the couples to be separated for short stretches of time while switching off with other partners.
That, at least, saved her the effort of making inane conversation with Wrayford. He was a dreary jackanapes who wasn’t so much pursuing
her
as he was her dowry.
It was the second time this evening that Mama had arranged for him to partner Lindsey. The new pair of slippers pinched her toes and she’d wanted to sit this one out, but Mama would hear nothing of it. Lindsey hadn’t dared press the issue. She had already earned a scolding for vanishing so long the previous afternoon.
Mama would be furious to learn she had gone visiting without her approval, and so Lindsey had sworn Kasi to secrecy. Admitting the truth would lead to awkward questions—such as why Lindsey had sought out the Earl of Mansfield’s ward in the first place.
The thought of him stirred disquiet in the pit of Lindsey’s belly. She hadn’t seen him all evening, which was just as well. The less she encountered him, the better.He represented to her all the prideful arrogance of the nobility.
The steps brought her face-to-face with Wrayford again. He had artfully styled sandy hair, pale blue eyes, and fair skin flushed from the exertion of the dance. The yellow coat he wore only made his complexion appear washed-out, as did the elaborate white cravat, which had more flounces than a peacock had feathers.
The previous year, Wrayford had courted Portia. Lindsey had thought her sister was exaggerating about his habit of ogling a lady’s bosom. She had since discovered her mistake. Every time his avid gaze dipped to her blue muslin bodice, it made her skin crawl, as it did now.
“I vow, Miss Crompton, you are the very essence of beauty. The glow of candlelight surrounds you like a halo.”
She forced a stiff smile. “Thank you.”
Lud, what else was she to say to such a ridiculous statement? If the fool thought to win her over with puffed-up compliments and lascivious stares, he would soon find out the futility of his effort.
Placing her gloved hand in his, Lindsey turned in a stately circle around him in accordance with the dance. The throng of gentlemen and ladies in the ballroom held a number of familiar faces, although many of these aristocrats were still strangers to her. Papa’s vast wealth may have purchased her entry into their elite circle, but it couldn’t buy their approval. Most of the guests here believed that lineage trumped all other qualifications.
Not that Lindsey cared what they thought. If she could placate her parents by enduring this one season, then there might be a chance of winning her freedom. How lovely it would be to face a future of her own making, without a husband to dictate her every move. She could escape from this gilded cage of parties and shopping. She could fulfillher dream of setting up a small private detective agency, where she could solve mysteries for a genteel clientele—
She stumbled slightly, blinking at the spot where she had just seen him. Was that Mansfield’s black hair and tall form? Or was she woolgathering? With the squeeze of
The reminder had the desired effect. George relaxed his grip on her shoulders, although he still regarded her warily. “Heed me well, Edith. Lindsey will have the final say in who she marries. I will not have you forcing her into a union she does not favor.”
“Of course not.”
Edith’s expression turned calculating as she watched him stride out of the chamber. She would not relinquish this perfect opportunity to bolster her position in the very highest circles. When the time came, Lindsey would make the right choice.
Edith intended to make certain of that.
Chapter 6
Lindsey staved off boredom as she danced with Lord Wrayford. The hour was past midnight, and it would be embarrassing to yawn in the middle of a crowded ballroom. Not to mention unspeakably rude. Luckily, it was a country tune with two long lines of dancers. The complicated steps required the couples to be separated for short stretches of time while switching off with other partners.
That, at least, saved her the effort of making inane conversation with Wrayford. He was a dreary jackanapes who wasn’t so much pursuing
her
as he was her dowry.
It was the second time this evening that Mama had arranged for him to partner Lindsey. The new pair of slippers pinched her toes and she’d wanted to sit this one out, but Mama would hear nothing of it. Lindsey hadn’t dared press the issue. She had already earned a scolding for vanishing so long the previous afternoon.
Mama would be furious to learn she had gone visiting without her approval, and so Lindsey had sworn Kasi to secrecy. Admitting the truth would lead to awkward questions—such as why Lindsey had sought out the Earl of Mansfield’s ward in the first place.
The thought of him stirred disquiet in the pit of Lindsey’s belly. She hadn’t seen him all evening, which was just as well. The less she encountered him, the better.He represented to her all the prideful arrogance of the nobility.
The steps brought her face-to-face with Wrayford again. He had artfully styled sandy hair, pale blue eyes, and fair skin flushed from the exertion of the dance. The yellow coat he wore only made his complexion appear washed-out, as did the elaborate white cravat, which had more flounces than a peacock had feathers.
The previous year, Wrayford had courted Portia. Lindsey had thought her sister was exaggerating about his habit of ogling a lady’s bosom. She had since discovered her mistake. Every time his avid gaze dipped to her blue muslin bodice, it made her skin crawl, as it did now.
“I vow, Miss Crompton, you are the very essence of beauty. The glow of candlelight surrounds you like a halo.”
She forced a stiff smile. “Thank you.”
Lud, what else was she to say to such a ridiculous statement? If the fool thought to win her over with puffed-up compliments and lascivious stares, he would soon find out the futility of his effort.
Placing her gloved hand in his, Lindsey turned in a stately circle around him in accordance with the dance. The throng of gentlemen and ladies in the ballroom held a number of familiar faces, although many of these aristocrats were still strangers to her. Papa’s vast wealth may have purchased her entry into their elite circle, but it couldn’t buy their approval. Most of the guests here believed that lineage trumped all other qualifications.
Not that Lindsey cared what they thought. If she could placate her parents by enduring this one season, then there might be a chance of winning her freedom. How lovely it would be to face a future of her own making, without a husband to dictate her every move. She could escape from this gilded cage of parties and shopping. She could fulfillher dream of setting up a small private detective agency, where she could solve mysteries for a genteel clientele—
She stumbled slightly, blinking at the spot where she had just seen him. Was that Mansfield’s black hair and tall form? Or was she woolgathering? With the squeeze of
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