Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley Read Free Book Online Page A

with a cry that demonstrated her avid sensuality.
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    Buckingham Palace
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    Lady Anne Curzon-Howe’s eyes sparkled with pleasure as she curtsied low before Her Royal Majesty Queen Victoria.
    The queen’s gaze traveled from the delicate gauze roses adorning the classic white gown, to the fashionable white ostrich feathers adorning the red-gold tresses of the debutante before her. “Welcome to our court, Lady Anne. I had no idea Lady Emily had such a lovely sister. Your gown is most elegant.”
    Hours of practice with the three-foot train had turned Anne’s performance into perfection. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I designed it myself.”
    The queen looked impressed. “We could use a young lady with such talent at our court.”
    Anne bit her lip.
Curse my tongue. The last thing I want is to be one of your ladies-in-waiting.
A rush of relief swept over her as the queen nodded her dismissal, and she joined her friend Lady Frances Hamilton, who had been presented before her.
    â€œI can’t wait for your ball tomorrow night, since our mothers have invited exactly the same bachelors. I hope your brother Montagu asks me for a dance.”
    â€œIf he doesn’t, you must ask him,” Anne advised.
    â€œYou are so unconventional. Would
you
dare do such a thing?”
    â€œJust watch me. Next week at your ball I have decided to march up to your brother James and ask him to partner me.”
    â€œJames won’t be there. He’s gone to Germany with the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal.”
    Anne’s face showed her dismay. “Oh damn, blast, and set fire to everything! I was so looking forward to seeing him again. Why did the prince have to go to Germany?”
    â€œSupposedly to watch military maneuvers, but didn’t your sister Emily mention a plan to introduce him to Princess Alexandra of Denmark?”
    â€œSo she did. I shall try to quiz Emily about it tomorrow night.”
    â€œShe’s coming, then?”
    â€œHa, she’ll be there with bells on ready to criticize my mother’s social skills. My other half sisters will be there too, looking down their long, condescending noses.”
    â€œIsn’t Georgiana the Duchess of Beaufort?”
    â€œYes, the duke is such a dry stick! But my other brother-in-law the Earl of Westmorland is a different kettle of fish. Henry Fane owns racehorses and belongs to the Jockey Club. He’s a good sport who isn’t averse to placing a bet for me.”
    Frances’s eyes widened. “You’re allowed to gamble?”
    â€œOf course I’m not allowed. It’s all on the QT.”
    The Duchess of Abercorn stood conversing with Lady Curzon-Howe. “Being presented at court used to be such a prestigious social event. It was a gala evening at the palace, with everyone in formal attire, and the supper rooms offering endless buffets of desserts and imported wines.” She glanced at the glass of punch she held and shuddered delicately. “These drawing rooms are abysmal. I feel rather sorry for today’s debutantes. Fun and frivolity have fallen victim to Queen Victoria’s one and only social rule: NO SCANDAL!”
    The girls joined their mothers and overheard the last part of the conversation. Anne’s eyes sparkled. “I adore your mother. She says the most outrageous things. I have decided to take her as my role model.”
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    At her debut ball in the Grosvenor Square mansion, Lady Anne stood in the receiving line with her parents. Their majordomo, Jenkins, announced the names of their guests as they stepped into the ballroom. Anne wore her presentation gown, but she had embroidered brilliant green dragonflies to flit among the white roses. Emily was outraged that Anne wasn’t in pristine white, and had voiced her feelings about the matter in no uncertain terms. She had arrived an