The Luckiest Lady In London by Sherry Thomas Read Free Book Online

devil for everyone else to continue to think of him as the epitome of gentlemanliness.
    “Lady Tenwhestle has been very generous in the loan of this dress—and others,” she answered defiantly.
    He swung her into several consecutive 360-degree turns, giving her no choice but to hold on to him tight. The strength in the man’s shoulders . . .
    In her dreams he had pushed her naked person against a pillar and held her there with one hand.
    “It’s a pleasure to dance with you, my dear Miss Cantwell,” he said softly. “I have been looking forward to it for days.”
    She shivered. Did he dream of her, as she dreamed of him?
    “Have you, sir?” She prayed she sounded modest, rather than hopeful.
    “But you aren’t only pretty and light on your feet, are you, Miss Cantwell?” he went on. “You are also exceedingly clever.”
    She was forcefully reminded that the man was a minefield—why was he suddenly remarking on her cleverness?—and she could not allow herself a moment of distraction. “I’m sure I don’t deserve such extravagant compliments from your lordship.”
    “I assure you, Miss Cantwell, you have earned any and all praise on my part. Few debutantes travel along their path to matrimony with as much purpose and design as you do, while appearing as guileless. You have been preparing for years, haven’t you?”
    It was all she could do not to trip. “My goodness, sir, do you really think me so scheming?”
    He gazed at her, his eyes as clear and as hypnotic as ever. “I do, and I admire a woman of energy and initiative, Miss Cantwell. But I do wish you had consulted me ahead of time. For you see, your tactics are quite sound, but you have been less than thorough in the reconnaissance of your strategic targets.”
    Why did she feel as if he were contemplating kissing her? And why did she want him to, this man who did not have her best interests at heart? “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, sir.”
    “I will gladly explain. Take Mr. Pitt, for example. On the surface, his family estate seems to be the rare example that has successfully weathered the depression in agricultural prices. The farmland they own is excellent and the methods they have employed are modern and efficient. Moreover his father, Baron Sunderley, is keenly aware that he cannot afford to have all his eggs in one basket and has been carefully investing elsewhere.
    “Alas, I have it on good authority that two of Lord Sunderley’s most substantial investments have recently failed. Mr. Pitt’s absence from London, in fact, was a direct result of these failures. It had always been his parents’ desire that Mr. Pitt marry an agreeable girl who should either bring some profitable urban properties or a sizable dowry; now it has become imperative that he does so.
    “Mr. Pitt, of course, is nowhere as well prepared or as resolute as you, Miss Cantwell. So I imagine he will still linger at your side for as long as he can. But you must realize that biddable nature that would make him such an admirable spouse also means that he would not find the wherewithal to contradict his parents’ express wishes.”
    Louisa’s hand tightened on the fine-twilled cashmere of Lord Wrenworth’s evening jacket. If what he said was true, it would constitute a heavy blow to her chances at a successful marriage.
    “Lord Firth, on the other hand,” continued Lord Wrenworth.
    Louisa faltered a step. She could see how he might have deduced her interest in Mr. Pitt. But how did he know about Lord Firth?
    Lord Wrenworth pulled her back into the flow of the dance. “Lord Firth, now, there is an outstanding English gentleman, loyal to the Crown and his foxhounds. Did I mention that he also sleeps with his half sister?”
    Louisa could not speak. She was not a naive girl who had never come into contact with the facts of life. But to hear something like this brought up in the context of people she actually knew—she was shocked to the core.
    Lord Firth,