50 Ways to Ruin a Rake by Jade Lee Read Free Book Online

shrugged. “And how could a scandal bother you? You don’t travel in the social rounds. Whatever man you choose will be thrilled to have a wealthy bride no matter the scandal. And won’t that be a grand romantic gesture? You throwing off a duke’s heir to marry a second son. Bound to stroke any man’s ego.”
    She stared at him, appalled that his words were beginning to make sense. Setting aside the insult, he did have the right of it. She could meet scores of eligible gentlemen, ones that she could never touch any other way. It would allow her to find an alternative to Ronnie. And if they were all useless fribbles as she feared, then she could easily turn her back on Lord Charming and give herself to Ronnie. Her cousin would certainly take her back and likely see it as just the grand romantic gesture that he adored.
    Mr. Anaedsley grinned. “You are thinking of it. I can see it in your eyes.”
    â€œYou can see nothing but revulsion.” She was speaking too harshly to him, but she couldn’t stop herself. Her heart had been twisted about too much for her to speak civilly just yet.
    â€œMiss Smithson. Mellie…” He reached for her hand again, but she snatched it away. She couldn’t think with his hands on her, so she stood to pace about her parlor. This was her sanctuary, the place where she came to be at peace. And now, as she walked back and forth by the settee, all she could see was Lord Charming sitting there like a veritable prince, his body calm and his expression animated. He was excited and obviously had no doubt as to her agreement to his mad plan.
    Well, he was far out on that. She was an honest woman and a deception like this…
    â€œYour only other choice is Ronnie. Do you really wish to chain yourself to him without even looking at other men? You could fall in love, Mellie. You might meet another man of science. I do know a few. One who might allow you to study and work however you want. I swear, I shall introduce you to every one.”
    Her steps slowed as her mind started churning. He was right, damn his eyes. This was exactly why she’d wanted her own money—so she could stop being a recluse with her father and meet eligible gentlemen. He was offering her the chance to go to London. And not just travel to the great city but to have a Season on the marriage mart, where ladies and gentlemen were thrown together with the hope of making an excellent connection.
    But could she do it? It was all so devious. “What would my father say?” she wondered aloud.
    â€œI’d think he’d be in the boughs with delight. Not every day a daughter gets engaged to a future duke.”
    She shot him a glare. “And when I cry off?”
    â€œThen you shall introduce him to your true choice in husband and convince him that the new man is the better match. He will be, you know. A better choice for you. And your father is a man of logic. He’ll see that you and I would never fit.”
    â€œStop saying it that way.” It made her feel like a toad, the way he so gleefully dismissed her.
    Then he stood up and came around the settee. She would have resumed pacing away from him, but what was the point? He was here, and she was despicably aware of him no matter where she stood in the room. Which is why she didn’t argue when he possessed her hands again.
    â€œI see that I shouldn’t have proposed like that, on one knee like Ronnie did. It put you too much in mind of him.”
    That wasn’t it at all, but she didn’t argue.
    â€œI should have outlined the scheme logically. Shown you the advantage of it first, and then done the pretty as a nice touch at the end. But I couldn’t resist the jest, you know. I thought you’d laugh when you understood it.”
    â€œI have never understood your amusements,” she said.
    â€œI know. That’s another reason you are the perfect choice. If you can’t laugh with a