The Rake's Handbook by Sally Orr Read Free Book Online Page A

fall in love the minute your shepherdess here herds cows instead of sheep. Besides, with this marriage I will finally meet Father’s demands. He was disappointed I didn’t marry at twenty.”
    â€œYes. Your father pushed you to wed for money, but now with your success, I want you to marry for love.”
    â€œHumph.” Love —the ultimate female word. Many of his friends had found love, yet that seemingly violent emotion had never claimed him. The general consensus was that no love could be as powerful as the one you felt in your twenties. Now almost in his thirties, he was too old, too cynical, or perhaps his heart didn’t work like other men’s. He had every intention of respecting his wife and being fond of her and any children they might produce. But that feeling that drove men to behave like asses and ruin good capes by laying them in mud puddles for My Lady, he had no desire to find.
    â€œAfter…” He paused. He needed to choose his words carefully to avoid another silence. “I gave you a solemn vow to change my behavior, and I have. I will try to act like the perfect gentleman you want me to be, but it is too much to expect romantic…attachment.”
    â€œRoss,” she said with a slight shake of her head. “If you are not happy, I will—”
    â€œThe only way I can move forward is to put one boot in front of the other and do what’s right. Since this marriage is desirable by all parties involved, it’s settled. Anyhow, how could I be bereft of affectionate female company when I have my handsome mother near?”
    â€œOh, Ross.” She gave him a small, sweet smile. “While I enjoy being first in your affections, it’s a crime to waste a fine gentleman like you hidden away up here in Cheshire with only his mother to flatter. I wish you happy with Lucy Allardyce, and I hope you’ll marry soon. She is the prettiest of the sisters, so you must wed immediately. Before a younger buck—who doesn’t need her father’s funds—presses his suit.”
    â€œThank you, Mother. I’ll present my offer of an ancient buck before a younger buck can even ask her to dance.”
    â€œYou don’t know she will accept your addresses. We must not depend upon her father’s friendship, and make sure of your engagement. I suggest you turn on that famous charm you seem unable to tame.”
    He chuckled warmly. “Yes, dear, if you wish it. Indeed, I look forward to marriage. It goes without saying that I will do everything in my power to make Miss Allardyce happy. So to insure the future success of our family, I’ll give her an irresistible broadside of charm.”

Four
    A shaft of dawn’s rays illuminated the dusty blue cupboard in the corner of Elinor’s bedroom. During the night, sleep eluded her, because her home’s fate remained in doubt. She lifted her sore finger up into the shaft of sunlight. Sure enough, it appeared bright red and throbbed like the devil. Within hours after returning home yesterday, the fishhook puncture gained the hue of burning coals and felt equally hot. She resolved to find the appropriate poultice before her immediate journey to Blackwell. At the first minute society considered a polite hour to call, she planned to directly ask Lady Helen about her son’s plans for a foundry.
    Once downstairs in William’s book-lined study, she pulled several medical books from the tall shelves and spread them over the polished mahogany desk. Since the wound was not serious enough to call Dr. Potts, common sense suggested she should follow Mr. Thornbury’s advice and teach herself the best method to cure an infected wound.
    Her housekeeper, Mrs. Richards, entered the study and handed her a note from Henry.
    After a quick perusal, Elinor discovered Mr. Thornbury had not been at home when Henry called at Blackwell yesterday. Her handsome neighbor spent the morning charming her by