Love With a Scandalous Lord by Lorraine Heath Read Free Book Online Page B

she was clearly mortified each time her mother spoke her mind, but because it caused him to realize that her mother might not have been the only one willing to go to battle for Grayson this afternoon or now. He found himself wondering what it would take for Lydia to jump to his defense, and just as quickly he dismissed the fanciful thought. If he had learned one thing over the years it was that he was not prone to receiving loyalty from ladies of quality. And for good reason.
    “With the exception of your stepfather, my entire family is cruel.”
    “I don’t believe you are,” she said.
    “Trust me. I can be most unpleasant when the mood strikes.”
    “I don’t recall you having unpleasant moods when you were younger,” Grayson said.
    “We all change.”
    Blast it ! He didn’t know what had prompted him to say that or why he felt he needed to behave irascibly. If he didn’t want to dine with these people, he need not have invited them to join him.
    “I suppose since your father is ill, you’ll have to miss the Season,” Lydia said softly, as though testing his mood.
    “The season?” He’d rather been enjoying the milder weather of late. May was upon them. What was there to miss?
    She nodded quickly. “In London. The balls—”
    “Ah, yes, the Season.” Even if his father were not ill, he doubted he would be welcomed into any homes. The gentlemen might not know who he was, but many of the ladies would recognize him, and none would risk a careless word or an intimate gaze that might revealthey’d spent time alone in his company. “Yes, I fear I’ll miss it this year.”
    And every year hence.
    “Lauren suspects this Season will be her last,” she said.
    “Lauren?”
    “My cousin. Mama’s niece. The Earl of Ravenleigh’s stepdaughter.”
    “Ah, yes.” The task of unraveling the intricate weaving of these families was certain to give him a headache. He shifted his attention to Grayson. “Ravenleigh’s brother was one of your mates, was he not?”
    “Kit still is, as a matter of fact. Now he represents the law in Texas.”
    “Who would have thought such incorrigible young men would do so well? What of Bainbridge?”
    “Harry owns a saloon, a pub, so to speak. He provided the whiskey I sent you.”
    “You’re indeed fortunate to have such good friends.” He lifted his glass for another sip of wine, suddenly acutely aware that should Grayson ask after his friends, he would have to readily admit he had none.
    He couldn’t prevent his gaze from wandering back to Miss Westland. She sat with her head bowed as though she’d been duly chastised. It occurred to him that she’d been attempting to engage him in conversation, and he’d shifted the dialogue away from her to Grayson.
    If he put her in his bed, he could communicate with her throughout the night. He was less skilled at dinner conversation.
    “Miss Westland, you were saying that your cousin expected this Season to be her last,” he prompted.
    She gave him the loveliest of smiles, obviouslypleased he’d paid the slightest bit of attention to her.
    “Yes, my lord. She hopes to settle on a gentleman very soon.” She leaned toward him and whispered conspiratorially, “She’s very near to being considered unmarriageable.”
    “Lydia!” her mother said sternly.
    “Well, she is, Mama. She’s twenty-three.” She looked to him for affirmation. “Don’t you think if she doesn’t choose someone soon, she may lose all hope of choosing anyone at all?”
    “I should think if she is half as charming as you, her age will matter not at all. Any man will consider himself most fortunate to be the beneficiary of her affections.”
    He saw the shallow rising and lowering of her chest as she fought not to be flustered by his flattery. Much could be said for the modestly low cut of her gown.
    “You’re very kind to say so, my lord.”
    He almost reminded her that he wasn’t kind, only the words had been kind, but the warm pleasure in her eyes