Page 19 of Dare to Risk it All

“Your little fool, if you want me,” she offered, so sweetly he didn’t know whether to shake her or fall to his knees in gratitude.

He settled for leaving. If he could do nothing else right this day, he could get her out of his company without ruining her reputation.

Chapter 6

Monsieur Le Comte,

I am so pleased you have finally seen reason and are spending Christmas at Beverwyck. When I saw Aggie, she was beside herself with excitement.

I confess I am looking forward to it as well. I have bought you the most perfect present. Now, don’t scold me. I know it is inappropriate but if you don’t tell, no one will know, and I have concluded that behaving all the time is not good for one’s soul. Of course, there are limits which you seem determined to push to the utmost, but I shall scold you in person, for I know you prefer it. One cannot deliver a truly successful set down by post.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Evie Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight) to Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen.

12th December 1840, Rowsley Hall, Derbyshire.

Much to her relief, Greer got back to the safety of her own room and saw no one on the way. She closed the door behind her, sagging against it. Her heart was still pounding, her skin tingling, electrified by the feel of Raphe’s hands upon her. She felt restless and wild and did not know what to do with herself.

God, but she had been reckless. The sensation of iced water flowing down her spine assailed her every time she remembered the sound of the workmen’s voices and how close they’d come to discovery. Yet despite that, despite coming close to ruining herself in the most shameful of circumstances, she could not bring herself to regret it. No doubt she was wicked. Certainly, most people outside of her family and close friends would believe her a harlot, but Mama would understand. She said women felt desire just as strongly as men did, and anyone who thought otherwise was a brainless numbskull. All the same, Greer was not eager to be at the centre of a great scandal, especially as Raphe had looked so horrified at the prospect of marrying her. Not that she was certain she wanted him to marry her, but she wasn’t giving up on the idea. Some men feared the idea of marriage for the most ridiculous reasons and needed a little encouragement to realise it was what they wanted. She was certain Raphe was lonely and needed the security and comfort of a home, but she could never tell him that. Being a man, he would likely dismiss any such implication as weakness. She did not yet know him well enough to be certain he would not. Of course, he also needed her money desperately. Mentioning that probably wasn’t wise either. Not yet, at least. No doubt he was aware she was far from penniless, for he must know by now that her sister had brought his best friend a generous dowry. Her parents had warned Dare not to speak of the numbers involved, though, for fear Greer and Alana might gain the attention of fortune hunters.

During their many dinner conversations she had come to realise Raphe was a complicated man. He spoke knowledgably about any number of subjects, but he most loved literature and poetry. Greer loved novels, but had always found poetry difficult to fathom, yet when Raphe explained it, explained what was being said behind the obvious façade of the words it all seemed so very clear. She suspected there was a romantic soul behind the face of the libertine that had been exposed in so many print shop windows. She wanted to spend more time in his company, not just at dinner, but every time they were together, things got out of hand with ridiculous speed. Well, they must try to remain with others and not be alone together. At least for a while. The ride out this afternoon would be perfect. Yes, that would be a good start, so she must persuade him to go.

Raphe glowered ahead to where Miss Cadogan was riding with her twin. He’d had no intention of going on this blasted outing. None. Not until he’d received her note, that was. The wicked creature had slid it under his door. It contained a demand that he come with them, or I might be so overcome with remorse for my dreadful behaviour this morning that I confess all to my father. A little illustration, showing her father chasing him through the garden with a shotgun, accompanied the sweetly worded threat. It was cleverly drawn and, despite his irritation, it had made him laugh out loud. She had caught his likeness well and his annoyance had dissipated far too quickly, leaving anticipation in its wake. He wanted to see her again, wanted to spend time with her, even if it was in the company of others. So, here he was, and there she was chatting away to her sister, drat her.

As if hearing his internal mutterings, she turned her mount and cantered back towards him.

“Lord de Ligne, how lovely to see you. Dare told us you weren’t coming. What changed your mind?” she asked, all innocence.

Her eyes were wide, glinting with devilry, and the urge to be wicked with her rose inside him.

“Blackmail, you dreadful girl,” he said under his breath before adding, so everyone else could hear, “All work and no play makes a fellow dull, so I understand, Miss Cadogan.”

“Good heavens, has someone accused you of being dull?” She affected an expression of deep shock.

Raphe’s lips twitched, but he held his composure, replying gravely, “Not so far, but it is bound to happen after so many months of rusticating. I don’t doubt my town bronze is becoming tarnished, my wicked reputation losing its shine.”

“Ah, yes, you need some polishing up.”

He gave her a sharp glance, wondering if the image that filled his mind was in hers. No, you blackguard. She was a naughty young woman, but she had no experience, for all her talk of not being ignorant of such matters. Still, the idea of her hands upon his person risked making the ride an uncomfortable one, so he pushed it firmly aside.

Raphe slowed his mount, allowing them to drop behind the rest of the party and speak privately.

“What am I doing here, Miss Cadogan?”

“Oh, do call me Greer,” she said, smiling at him.

It was not a glorious smile, and it did not make his heart sing, he assured himself. For that would be nauseating and prove that he was in danger of making a great cake of himself.

“I do not think that wise, Miss Cadogan.”

She sighed and pulled a face at him. “Well, if you’re going to be stuffy,” she retorted, gathering up her reins as if to ride away from him.

“No!” he exclaimed, reaching across the distance as if to grab for her.

She returned an arch look at the sight of his outstretched hand, and he huffed, annoyed.

“Fine, Greer. What am I doing here?”

“Having a lovely outing?” she suggested with a shrug.