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

Gabriel, heat inexplicably shot into her cheeks. And her heart fluttered. Out of anger, no doubt. Even now, her entire body was growing hot at the mere mention of him.
    Out of anger , she assured herself.
    She would get over her ill feeling toward the bounder in a few days, for she was never one to hold grudges, even though he’d clearly been in the wrong. He’d also been arrogant and rude. He believed her to be a foggy-headed husband hunter with little polish and no sense of style.
    What would he think of her when he learned of The Incident?
    Why should she care? Indeed, she didn’t. She let out a huff and straightened her spine, now quite put out. Who was he to cast judgment upon her when he was unfit to move about in civilized society?
    The carriage came to a stop at the opposite end of the park. “Ah, here we are,” Eloise said, drawing Daisy out of her thoughts.
    Daisy lowered the window and stuck her face out. A light breeze tickled her nose. She noticed an imposing gray brick townhouse that appeared to be impeccably maintained. “This can’t be Lord Hornby’s residence. There isn’t a soul on the street.”
    “Goodness, I meant to tell you, but it slipped my mind. Gabriel is to join us.”
    “Now? Here? This is his home?” She tried to keep the dismay out of her voice, but knew she’d failed. She had expected the man to reside in a den of iniquity. After all, he had a horrid reputation. But to reside in this magnificent abode?
    “Yes, this is his London residence. Of course, his seat is in Derbyshire.”
    Daisy turned to her companion. “I’m curious about that, for you’ve never really explained how he acquired his seat. Certainly not through the Trent line, for he’s the younger son. And there are so many rumors circulating about it that one doesn’t know quite what to believe.”
    “Is it important? He’s quite enterprising—acquired the Derbyshire estate and title all on his own.”
    “But how?” Probably by cheating at cards, Daisy mused. Or doing the Prince Regent some wicked favor to earn his gratitude. Hushed up a royal scandal, no doubt.
    Eloise sat upright and quirked her head. “How odd! You know, I’m not certain how it came about. The news spread quietly one day that he’d been made Baron Summersby and given a charming estate to go along with the title. Gossip has it that he saved the life of an unnamed royal offspring, or perhaps it was some other royal relation. The point is, Gabriel must have rescued someone important, although the details were never disclosed.”
    “No doubt from a seedy establishment filled with cardsharps, cutthroats, and women of ill repute.” Daisy closed her eyes and stifled a sigh of exasperation. “Is there a reason you asked him to join us tonight?”
    Eloise’s diamond earrings gleamed as brightly as her eyes. “I didn’t. He asked to accompany me.”
    “He asked you? He ought to have been warned that I was to ride in your carriage. I’m sure he won’t be pleased to find me here.”
    “Oh, he knew you were coming.”
    Daisy tried, but failed, to muffle her surprise. “He did? And he still agreed to ride with you... er, with us?” How odd, for the man detested her. Well, he didn’t really. He felt quite indifferent toward her, which was in many ways worse, for hatred required some passion, while indifference was as exciting as sipping tepid soup. No flavor, no vibrance. Just watered-down bland.
    “Good evening, Grandmama, Miss Farthingale.”
    “ Eep! ” Gabriel’s whiskey-smooth rumble jolted her out of her thoughts. He’d moved so quietly that she hadn’t noticed his approach. He now stood by the carriage, a smirk on his handsome face.
    Eloise harrumphed. “Must you be so formal, Gabriel? This is my dear Daisy, and I insist you call her so.”
    “Very well,” he said, filling the doorway with his presence as he climbed in and settled in the seat across from her. “Good evening, dear Daisy.”
    The bright streetlight illuminated