Taming Wilde by Rachel van Dyken Read Free Book Online Page A

watched her lick her lips. Wasn’t he supposed to
     hate her? After all, he was attempting to turn over a new leaf just as Gemma was.
     But he could not pull away from her, not even if he desired it. He wanted to press
     her against the wall, to kiss that soft mouth and dip his hands into that thick red
     hair. Her pupils dilated, and he pulled her closer.
    “You may practice all you want, my dear, but you shall fail.”
    He had to say something before he ruined her, before he made a fool of himself and
     was rejected for a second time.
    “We shall see.” She pulled away from him just as the music ended. Colin suddenly had
     the sinking feeling that it was he who was in over his head.
    ****
    Gemma didn’t realize she was holding her breath until she exited the ballroom and
     nearly ran Bridget down in the corridor.
    “Gemma, you’re positively blue. Please breathe!” her friend commanded, taking her
     elbow in a firm hand.
    A sudden blast of hot breath escaped through Gemma’s pursed lips.
    “Do you think it worked?”
    “I don’t know that I can be certain,” Bridget said, thoughtfully tapping a finger
     on her own lips. She turned to a shadowy figure behind her. “What do you think?”
    Lord Maddox stepped out of the darkened alcove into the flickering candlelight of
     the corridor. He grimaced as though in excruciating pain.
    “What do I think…” he muttered. “I think I’m going straight to Hell.”
    Bridget rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Ever the dramatic one. Of course you
     are hell-bound, you scoundrel. But the question is, will Wilde be joining you there,
     or does he still possess some redeeming quality in spite of your incorrigible influences?”
    “Incorrigible influences! I’ll have you know I have been a pillar of support to that
     fellow since we were in knickers.”
    With a raised eyebrow, Bridget stared him down.
    “Very well. What is it I must do?”
    Gemma loved to watch their interaction. Their playful banter did nothing to disguise
     how they adored one another. In their eyes there was a spark of hope for Gemma, that
     she might find the same with Colin.
    “Penance,” Bridget answered with mocking laughter. “For that dreadful journal. No
     less than you deserve, I assure you.”
    Lord Maddox cringed. “Just tell me, my dear, that it does not involve strawberries,
     and I shall do exactly as you bid.”
    “I make no promises in that regard, but to begin, offer the chap bad advice on wooing
     his women.” She paused as though thinking better of it. “On second thought, offer
     him exactly the advice you would normally give. I’ve read your journal.”
    “My lady, may I remind you that you were won with such devices?”
    “As I recall, you believed me to be blind when I did not succumb to your rakish charms.”
    “Perhaps I should employ a few strategies on you now?” He took a step toward his wife.
    Gemma blushed at the suggestion. It was likely they had forgotten her presence. She
     cleared her throat to remind them.
    “I apologize for interrupting, my lord, but if I might steer the conversation back
     to my predicament,” Gemma said softly. The whole discussion was the height of impropriety,
     and she felt that she could sink into the floor from the weight of her shame.
    Lord Maddox seemed to remember himself then and retreated a step, putting a respectable
     distance between him and his wife.
    “Certainly, Lady Gemma. I do apologize.”
    “I believe you were right, my dear,” Bridget said to him, a wry smile on her lips.
     “You are going straight to Perdition. Now, run along and do your penance. We will
     discuss your rakish employments later at length.” She offered him a saucy wink that
     made Gemma’s skin crawl with embarrassment.
    Lord Maddox’s wide, mischievous smile as he bowed only deepened Gemma’s mortification.
     He planted a lingering kiss on his wife’s fingers.
    Gemma coughed lightly. “Perhaps you would like to move into a private