Rules for Reforming a Rake by Meara Platt Read Free Book Online

wish I could help you to reform his rakehell ways, but he can’t abide me. In truth, I don’t like him very much either.”
    Eloise’s eyes were suddenly agleam. “Hmm, help me to reform him? Now that’s an intriguing thought, actually quite a wonderful idea. Thank you, Daisy. I’m so glad you offered.”
    At first, Daisy laughed. Then she realized Eloise was serious. Her heart shot into her throat and she grabbed the carriage door to steady herself. “No, that isn’t what I meant at all.”
    Eloise was too busy grinning from ear to ear to pay attention to her protests. “We shall begin tonight. Why waste a moment?”
    “Because it’s a terrible idea,” Daisy insisted, shaking her head in dismay. “I’ve never had any suitors. None. Not a one. How am I to deal with any man, much less a rake as dangerous as your grandson? I wouldn’t know where to start. Or how to defend myself.” Or how to protect my heart.
    “Oh, dear. You’re right.” Eloise emitted a long, slightly disheartened sigh. “No, that won’t do. You’re much too innocent to understand the wicked workings of a rake’s mind.”
    Daisy nodded in agreement. “I’m completely inept.”
    However, Eloise’s eyes were still agleam. “But I have the perfect solution to our little dilemma. You—”
    “There is no solution,” she insisted, her frustration mounting.
    “Nonsense, child. I know exactly what must be done to turn you into a worthy adversary for my grandson. I’m going to lend you a book.”
    “A... what?”
    “Not just any book, but a brilliant exposition of warfare between the sexes. It’s called Rules for Reforming a Rake and was written several decades ago by Lady Forsythia Haversham, one of the most respected strategists of her day. Never doubt that these rules still apply.”
    Daisy’s eyes rounded in horror as Eloise continued. “My dear girl, you must look upon each ball, musicale, or soiree as a battle to be engaged, the enemy being the unrepentant bachelor.” She leaned forward and patted Daisy’s hand. “Said bachelor is ever on the alert, his ears pricked and body defensively poised to repel any attack on his freedom.”
    “Lady Forsythia explained all this in a book? Hasn’t she gone through four husbands already?”
    Eloise nodded. “All of them rakehells until she came along and tamed them.”
    “Killed them is more like it, for not one survived beyond their fifth year of marriage,” Daisy muttered, trying to stem her rising panic. How long had Eloise been thinking of this? And how was she to dissuade her from pursuing this doomed and dangerous plan? “At the very least, Lady Forsythia herded each unsuspecting gentleman into an early grave.” She swallowed hard and gave a sad shake of her head. “No, it’s a terrible idea. I will never agree to reform your wastrel grandson. Put the notion out of your head at once.”
    Eloise laughed lightly and reached out again to pat her hands, which were now clasped and resting on her lap. “Gabriel isn’t so bad once you get to know him. The two of you got off to a bad start, that’s all. Think of it this way, your next encounter couldn’t possibly be worse.”
    Daisy tried to muster enthusiasm for the knave, truly she did. But couldn’t. She had problems of her own and didn’t need to pile his atop them. She cast Eloise a polite but dismayed smile. “I doubt he and I shall ever meet again. We Farthingales have been your neighbors for over three years now and have never run into him before. I wouldn’t have met him except for Harry’s escapade. I’m certain he has every intention of avoiding me as well.”
    She hoped that was his intention, for she couldn’t possibly be seen in his company. He was completely unsuitable for her, and he rattled her in ways she did not quite understand yet. Perhaps Lady Forsythia’s book would explain why he made her feel so very uncomfortable. Not that she had any intention of reading it, but every time she thought of