Miss Lacey's Last Fling (A Regency Romance) by Candice Hern Read Free Book Online

on the far edge.
    "And so you are keen to enjoy town pleasures?"
    "I am all agog."
    He chuckled. "Indeed you are. Your eyes fairly dance in anticipation. I suspect you must be younger than you look."
    "I am six and twenty."
    "As elderly as that? Astonishing. At so ancient an age, how have you managed to maintain so much... lust for life?"
    He lingered over the word lust , caressing the sound of each letter so that Rosie could not take her eyes away from his mouth. He was trying to rattle her. She did not believe he truly meant to seduce her, only to test her, to see what would make her squirm. She would not give him the pleasure of victory.
    "It is my first visit to London," she said with perfect equanimity. "Everything is new to me."
    "Ah, yes. Of course. To be in one's first Season when all is fresh and untried. How I envy you, my dear. Enjoy the novelty while you can."
    "While I can. Yes."
    He gave a weary sigh. "Alas, I have too many Seasons behind me. I have been everywhere and done everything—countless times, over and over. It begins to pall." His hand moved upon his breast as if protecting something tucked away in his waistcoat.
    "I do not believe you."
    His head jerked up at her words. She was rather surprised at them herself; but Rosalind was in charge now and Rosalind could say anything she pleased. "My aunt has told me of your reputation, sir."
    "Warned you against me, did she?"
    "No. She simply mentioned it as a point of fact. But if it's true, then it seems as though you cannot be as bored as you pretend. I would guess you manage to find a good deal of pleasure in Society. Quite a lot of it, actually. I sincerely doubt that such... such gratification has begun to pall."
    "You'd be surprised," he muttered.
    "I will wager you have interesting plans of your own for the Season," she said. "Tell me about them."
    "Egad, you want names?"
    Rosie flushed. "I did not mean those sorts of plans. I am just curious about all the types of entertainments London has to offer. It seems there is so much to do. There must be something you are looking forward to."
    "Not really." There was a hint of resignation in his tone that made her believe him, and she was surprised at how angry it made her. Here was the consummate pleasure-seeker, with years and years of pleasure stretching ahead of him, while she only had these few months in which to find her own enjoyment. How dare he take his life for granted!
    "You are not happy, Mr. Davenant?"
    "I have never sought happiness, my dear, only pleasure."
    "And found it?"
    "Often. Too often."
    "Have you never been in love, then?"
    "Only for brief moments, in the heat of passion. Fortunately, it always passes."
    His callous words increased her annoyance with him. He had so much to live for, and yet did not grab hold of a single moment as meaningful or lasting. He did not look beyond momentary pleasure to find something deeper, something special. A wasted life.
    He must have sensed her irritation, for he straightened slightly and offered a sheepish smile. "All right," he said, "you asked if I had plans. Well, I do. If you must know, there is a mill next week that has piqued my interest."
    "A mill?"
    "Yes, Randall and Neate. Should be great sport. But I don't imagine that is the sort of entertainment you had in mind."
    "But I've never been to a mill. All of my brothers are mad for them. To tell you the truth, I should love to see one. Just once."
    "Ah, but Fair Rosalind, think how Society would frown upon such unladylike behavior."
    "Oh, pooh! As if I care a fig for what Society thinks of me. I simply want to experience everything I can while I'm here. In town, I mean."
    "Brave words, my dear. But do you not worry about your reputation?"
    She might have at one time. But what did it matter now? "No," she replied, and rose from the bench. "I am not concerned for my reputation."
    Max stood and said, "You ought not say something so enticing to a man like me." He leaned close, so close she could feel