Read Online Winning Miss Wakefield: The Wallflower Wedding Series by Vivienne Lorret - Free Book Online Page A

blocked by her protesting lips. Indeed, her lips were very glad she’d gone.
    She felt another rush of heat to her cheeks.
    Delaney studied her. “We’ve already clarified you were present at Lady Amherst’s, which leads me to believe this little tidbit you’re sharing has nothing to do with Elena Mallory.”
    Merribeth swallowed, her gaze passing from Delaney to Emma.
    “By the way you’ve been distracted today, I’d venture to guess that something happened last night.” Emma blinked at her. “Though you don’t have to talk about it . . . if you don’t want to.”
    Something , indeed.
    “Not really,” Merribeth lied. “I made an appearance, bore the scrutiny, adjourned to the retiring room”—she left out the shameful bit about molesting Lord Knightswold—“and then returned home early to finish packing for the house party.”
    Penelope reached over to squeeze her fingers. “Then it was truly horrible. I worried for you.”
    “I know. You all warned me how it would be. Especially after Delaney went last year. However, I had to make an appearance in order to work my way back into the fold.”
    The trio scoffed at that.
    “It isn’t fair for you to be punished because Mr. Clairmore is an idiot.”
    “True,” Merribeth agreed. Who was she to argue? “Lady Eve says that I should get him back and that it could be the only way to restore my reputation. Sophie agrees with her.”
    Delaney scowled and lifted a finger as if ready to rally the troops for battle. Then she shook her head and went still. Her hand lowered to her lap, her fingers drumming automatically, as if unable to hold still for too long. “It could work . . . if you could somehow lure him back.”
    “Eve claims that men are drawn to confident women and that I’ve been acting like a stable puppy, afraid of being kicked.”
    Their gazes fell away. “Well, lately . . .”
    Ouch . She’d hoped they hadn’t noticed how lost she felt. Yet they were her friends for a reason. Merribeth nodded. She hesitated but then said, “There was another part of her plan.”
    “Oh?”
    “She claims that flirting instills confidence.”
    “Flirting? I suppose,” Emma interjected, “with the right man, that is. As long as he’s receptive. You wouldn’t want to flirt with an overly shy gentleman and end up scaring him off. You both could end up scarred for life. Then again, you wouldn’t want it to be the other way around either.”
    “Certainly not,” Penelope agreed. “There are scores of men to avoid. Rakes, in particular. A sensible man would be the best for your task. While a sensible gentleman is occasionally a challenge to flirt with, he is worth the effort.” No doubt she was referring to her own Mr. Weatherstone.
    “I don’t know, Penelope,” Emma said, that glowing smile returning to her face. “A rake—at least a reformed rake—might be the perfect man for the task.” No doubt she was thinking of her own husband.
    “A rake?” Delaney asked, incredulous. “Even a reformed rake would bring her only more scandal. And I know better than each of you how easy it is to have your name on everyone’s lips. I don’t want that to happen to our Merribeth.”
    They were all trying to protect her, yet she was the one who’d already kissed a rake. And not the reformed type either. If anyone needed to worry about taking flirting too far, it was she. “I’m certain Eve will employ the assistance of one of her friends to guarantee the latter doesn’t happen.”
    The three of them exchanged a look of doubt, Eve’s reputation having preceded her. However, no one said it aloud.
    “Then, only one question remains,” Penelope said. “Is the return of Mr. Clairmore’s affections truly what you want?”
    The question gave Merribeth pause. He’d hurt her when he confessed to such passionate feelings about Miss Codington. After last night, however, she could see how easily a simple kiss could addle one’s brain.
    Perhaps that’s all