Page 51 of Scandal’s Daughter

Chapter 23

“Wherein a rake reveals a heart.”

It has been noted that the ton’s darling M of B, that handsome devil, has been paying extraordinary attention to the dazzling new Siren in our midst. Could it be that our most delightful bachelor has marriage in mind at last? Extraordinarily, the D of S is also dancing attendance, but his attentions are not received with any visible pleasure. The Siren continues to call to all the most eligible men, but who will get burned this time?

The following ten days passed in a blur. Dances and routs and shopping and picnics, and yet more shopping and more dancing.

Georgiana felt giddy, as though the world was spinning too fast and she couldn’t keep her grip on reality. It was like some strange dream where everything was a little too bright, a little too colourful, and too perfect to be real. But she let the colours and the attention and the compliments shower over and about her and watched the glittering world around her without ever truly feeling a part of it.

The duke was always there, watching her with those dark eyes. He was like a storm gathered on the horizon. Everyone knew, sooner or later he would break, and the lightning would probably scorch her to the bone. She felt she would welcome it. It was hard to keep pushing him away, to keep rejecting his advances when she could still see the heat in his eyes. But she wouldn’t be his plaything this time. She wasn’t a toy he could pick up again, simply because another boy had decided he wanted her.

If Sebastian wanted her, he would have to declare his interest as Beau had. He had to make it clear to the world he was courting her.

He needed to offer far more than just an affair that could ruin her and destroy all her dreams. She wanted him still, loved him still ... but did he love her enough to put the scandalous past aside?

Did he love her at all?

“That’s Lady Chartley,” Beau whispered to her as they took a turn about the room. “She’s been sleeping with Derby for almost a decade now, spends more time there than at her own home by all accounts.”

Georgiana looked at the elegant brunette with a raised eyebrow. She would never see forty again, but she was still a beauty. “But Lord Derby is a fat old goat,” she hissed to him, in disgust. “If she must take a lover, she could do far better.”

Beau smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, but I never said Lord Derby, now did I?”

Georgiana felt her mouth make a little O of surprise as Beau chuckled.

“Oh, I do love opening your eyes, darling Eve. It is such a delight to educate you.”

She cast him a sideways look. “I’m not shocked,” she retorted, though she knew he dearly loved to make her blush. He seemed to count it as some kind of delightful sport. He was very good at it too. “I’m just surprised, that’s all I just ... never considered ...”

She trailed off, annoyed that she was blushing now. “I mean I know that men sometimes like other men, so I suppose it makes sense,” she replied, shrugging as Beau went off into peals of laughter beside her.

“I do love it when you try to sound as though you are so very sophisticated and experienced of our dark world, sweet little Eve.”

She huffed and glared up at him. “Well it’s not as if I get a chance to discover anything about it myself, is it? All I learn, I learn from you. I never realised you were such a dreadful rattlepate.”

He put a hand to his heart with a groan. “Oh, that hurt. After the lengths I have gone to keep you entertained. A rattlepate! Is that the only thing you can find to say of me after all the extravagant compliments I give you? Here I am, hanging on your sleeve as ever, your obedient lap dog, and you never so much as throw me a bone.”

Now it was her turn to laugh at this wounded expression, ignoring the looks of disapproval from some of those they passed by.

“Oh, you are an odious, spoilt creature. That is for certain.”

“Oh, Eve,” he replied sounding so dejected and giving her such puppy dog eyes that she did really feel sorry for him.

“Beau, you’re a dreadful flirt and I know well your game by now, but you know I adore you so stop trying to lure me into spoiling you further. Dreadful man,” she added, tutting as his eyes lit with appreciation.

She couldn’t help but return his smile, but then her breath caught as he paused, his eyes darkening.

He covered her hand with his and leaned towards her. “Marry me and I’ll teach you everything you want to know, Eve.”

She swallowed, unsettled by the look in his eyes.

God, she couldn’t deny the idea of bedding him didn’t make her skin burn. She’d overheard whispers about him from other women, about his prowess and skill in the bedroom. Somehow, she didn’t doubt a word of it. But though he might be able to make her body respond, her heart was already engaged, and she wasn’t so fickle that it could be taken by another with such ease.

He reached out a hand, the back of one finger touching her cheek for a bare moment.

“I’ll make you forget about him, darling, I promise I can do it.”

She smiled and shook her head. “And once you had taught me everything you know you would grow bored and leave me alone. Back to chasing your pretty light skirts, spending your nights with your Cythereans rather than your dull wife.”