Read Online The Ugly Duckling Debutante_FINAL-3 by Rachel van Dyken - Free Book Online Page A

shook his head and helped her out of the carriage, careful to avoid any direct contact with Sai's exposed skin.
    “Wait!” She pulled on his coat stopping him in his tracks.
    “What is it?” he asked, suddenly concerned. Was she to be ill? Was she nervous?
    “What’s our association?” Her skin pinked with embarrassment.
    He knew he needed to tread lightly; she had a temper, and he didn’t want to prolong their season. His goal was to find her a match tonight.   “What do you mean?” His tone was surprisingly even and affectionate.
    She looked at him strangely. “Well, we are arriving alone without my aunt. I know she is just a carriage behind us, but when we are presented…I mean to say, how shall we be announced?” she stammered.
    He tried to hold back, but he couldn’t help himself. A hearty laugh erupted from him, and with it drained all the tension he had been fighting since the evening began. She was adorable.
    “Sai, we are old family friends. Because of today, people believe I have tried to use my rakish wiles to seduce you. Against my better judgment might I add? More than likely you will hear nothing but gossip about me tonight, along with indignant mothers throwing their more handsome and more innocent titled sons your way.” Not feeling the need to also explain to her that although he hated being used in this way—he would do it all over again if it would keep Lady Fenton from speaking the truth.
    She bit her lip in annoyance. “You mean to tell me that you insisted I slap you earlier so they would throw themselves at my feet?”
    “As they say, or have said,” he corrected himself. “Not even a married woman would turn me down. And you, my lady, already have; therefore, your reputation precedes you.” He held out his arm to her, which she accepted, and then promptly she stomped on his foot.
    He cursed in frustration before pulling her back into his chest. “What was that for? I don’t believe that was a cue for you to kick me!”
    “It wasn’t!” Her face was wild with anger. “I’m sorry; I guess I just can’t control myself around you—you—you—” She was stuttering again. He loved her this way. “Rake!” she yelled, tightening her hands into tiny fists. He remembered her slap from earlier and backed up a little. “I can’t believe you would deceive me like this.”
    He had no words. What could he tell her? Anything he said would only serve to upset her further, especially if she knew the hardest thing she would have to do was yet to come. She was about to be introduced to society. And he was to be hanging on her arm. An interesting night, indeed.
    Both of her dainty hands were still clenched in fury. He would have laughed again had he not already experienced the sting on the receiving end of those hands. His cheek ached on cue.
    “I’ll tell you what,” he said channeling his more diplomatic side. “Let’s just survive tonight, and when it’s all over with, if you haven't found a husband—or if you somehow embarrass yourself because of me—I’ll let you slap me and—”
    “—and you’ll be my slave for a day,” she interjected, surprisingly cheerfully.
    “Deal,” he agreed. No reluctance in his voice. He would pay to follow her around, not that he would ever utter a word of it to anyone. “Shall we?” Offering his arm to her again, he felt his own heart begin to pound and suddenly grew scared for Sai. It was hard enough being of ill reputation as he was, but what would it be like as fresh meat for the ton to feast on?
    Sai took his proffered arm and nestled her delicate fingers in the crook of his elbow. He couldn’t help but admire her spunk. On the outside she looked as calm as any of the ladies of his acquaintance. It was almost as if she was used to people gawking at her, but then again how could she not be? She was breathtaking. In fact, she looked so good in the dress she was wearing, it made him want to curse out loud and stand in front of her