Read Online The Rake's Unveiling of Lady Belle by Raven McAllan - Free Book Online Page B

I’d drink three cups if it gave me access to her cooking.’
    Madame Belle grinned at him. Her interest in why he had visited was palpable, and Phillip had to admire her self-restraint as she poured tea and handed him a plate of gingerbread, and merely talked platitudes. It wasn’t until she was also seated and he’d eaten his first slice of the sticky gingerbread that she went, as he thought of it, on the attack.
    â€˜So, my lord, why are you here? I doubt it was solely to see what confection my housekeeper had concocted.’ Her eyes twinkled but her expression was wary.
    Phillip swallowed the mouthful of food and brushed non-existent crumbs from his waistcoat as he stalled for time. He might have known Belle would go straight to the point.
    â€˜And do not say something pathetic, like you wanted to make sure I was all right,’ she said emphatically. ‘Why should I not be? And if you were thinking I might take Lady Rattenberry’s place think again. I will be no man’s mistress.’
    As he thought. Plain-speaking and straight to the point.
    Phillip opened his mouth to answer her and a wayward crumb stuck in his throat. He began to cough, tears streamed down his cheeks, and he shook his head to try and dislodge the tiny morsel. That was all he needed. To be carried off by a crumb.
    â€˜I…I…’ He wheezed like an old man as Belle stood up, and moved behind him. Her breasts brushed his back and even in his distressed state his ever eager pego began its ‘notice me’ dance. She pushed him forward and began to thump him on the back. All thoughts of sex, dalliance or anything else arousing disappeared. She had enough strength to hold her own against many a pugilist he’d sparred with.
    â€˜Enough, thank you,’ he said once he was able to speak coherently.
    Belle handed him a clean napkin to wipe his face and hands and sat back down.
    â€˜You were saying?’
    Phillip couldn’t help it. He laughed, and shook his head. There he was, having almost choked to death, and all she was worried about was the reason he’d called.
    â€˜I don’t know why I called to be honest. I was worried about you, and I did want to see you again. I want…’ He hesitated, unsure how truthful he could be and not be shown the door. ‘I want to get to know you better.’
    â€˜Hmm.’ Belle narrowed her eyes and he swore she saw into his soul. It was an unnerving experience. ‘Why? I’ve told you I won’t be your mistress.’
    â€˜I’ll accept that. And remember I haven’t asked you.’ He had wondered about it, to be honest, but luckily she’d scotched that idea before he was able to embarrass either of them. He forbore to add ‘yet’.
    She went red. Phillip looked down at his teacup and refilled it as he fought not to laugh. Once he had his mirth under control he spoke again. ‘In all seriousness, Madame Belle, I would like to be your friend.’
    â€˜Why?’ Belle asked him baldly. ‘Gentlemen of your ilk do not befriend the likes of me. Unless it is for ulterior motives. I’m only a lowly seamstress, and will never be any man’s playing.’
    Phillip was uneasily aware he could have such motives, if he had half a chance. But…
    â€˜Belle, my dear, you will never be a lowly anything. Your goodness and integrity would outshine any lady—whether in the ton or not. Oh, I’ll be honest, I think you’re everything I ever want in a woman. Of course I’d like to bed you if you were willing. What hot-blooded rake wouldn’t? But here’s the difference between myself and many others of my ilk: I would never, ever, try to coerce you or force you to do something abhorrent to you. Mind you, that’s not to say I wouldn’t try to change your mind in other ways.’ He winked. ‘But for now, my only goal is to make you comfortable in my presence and warn you I