The Spinster and the Rake by Anne Stuart Read Free Book Online Page A

blame you for being afraid of Derwent.”
    “I am not afraid of my brother!” She denied it hotly.
    “No?” He was unconvinced, deliberately goading her. “You’ll have to prove it to me at some later date, Gillian. Good afternoon, Miss Felicity.”
    Felicity’s response was a distempered flounce, but Marlowe’s tall back was already turned, and he was deprived of her temper. Gillian’s troubled gaze followed him as he made his leisured way back down the square, back, no doubt, to Madame Racette’s and the high-flyer he had left behind. Gillian was unaccountably disheartened.
    Her niece let out a deep sigh, her pique vanishing. “He certainly is one of the most devastatingly attractive men I have ever seen,” she announced soulfully. “Don’t you agree, Gilly?”
    “What about Liam Blackstone?” her aunt inquired with a trace of sharpness.
    “Oh, Liam’s not attractive,” Felicity said ingenuously. “He’s beautiful. It’s the contrast between the two that intrigues me. One so pure, the other so delightfully decadent. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love Liam. I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t notice an attractive man when I see one. After all, I’m only eighteen.”
    “I believe that was at the core of your father’s objections to Mr. Blackstone. It seems he was right.”
    “Oh, pooh!” Felicity scoffed. “Lord Marlowe was right. You are distressingly like Papa at times. Once I’m married to Liam I won’t flirt with other men. If I could only overcome Liam’s tiresome scruples! But as long as we’re kept apart I have to keep my spirits up, don’t I?”
    “I would think you’d have an easier time convincing your father that you know your own mind if you didn’t,” Gillian observed. “And if I were you I wouldn’t choose someone like Lord Marlowe as an object of your devotion. He’s a bit more than you can handle.”
    “Gilly, how you misunderstand me!” Felicity laughed. “Lord Marlowe is exactly the sort of person I should pick. He’s got such a black reputation that Liam will seem like an absolutely brilliant match compared to him.” She squeezed her aunt’s numb hand. “I know what I’m doing. All I need work on now is Lord Marlowe. But I don’t expect to have any trouble winding him around my little finger. There’s never been a man I haven’t been able to attach if I’ve wanted him,” she added with simple pride.
    “I wouldn’t underestimate Lord Marlowe if I were you, Felicity,” she said warningly. “He didn’t seem too taken with you this afternoon.”
    “No, he seemed far more interested in you,” Felicity agreed, obviously puzzled. “Perhaps he has better taste than one would have expected.”
    “ Merci du compliment. ” Gillian laughed. “I would abandon this scheme if I were you. You may bite off more than you can chew.”
    “But what a lovely mouthful,” Felicity said wickedly, running up the broad front steps of the Redfern mansion before Gillian could reprove her.

Chapter Five
    IT WAS A LOVELY day for a stroll to Hookham’s Lending Library, Gillian agreed innocently. Of course Felicity should take advantage of the unexpectedly clement weather. And would Felicity require her aunt to accompany her? Knowing her aunt’s inordinate fondness for reading, that is. No? Felicity’s somewhat flighty maidservant would be ample protection? But of course her aunt trusts her. Implicitly. She would have no doubts whatsoever of her obedient niece’s occupation and destination for the next few hours. Oh, of course. The library.
    Felicity breathed a sigh of relief once she was out of sight of the imposing edifice that was the Redfern mansion, and once out of range of Berkeley Square her spirits lightened still further. Obviously she hadn’t fooled Gilly for a moment. She knew perfectly well where her wicked niece was heading, and Felicity didn’t flatter herself that it was Gilly’s faith in her that made her turn a blind eye to Felicity’s