Page 13 of The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes
Peculiar how this statement made her feel a trifle less terrible.
“Of what benefit am I to you, then?” she asked.
He bent close to her, which, in an already confined space, brought himverynear. His scent surrounded her, a thrilling mix of woodsmoke, leather, and herbs, and she could see how stubble already shaded his chin. If he bent just a little closer, she could kiss him.
Involuntarily, she dipped her tongue to her bottom lip. What would he taste like? Surely something forbidden, and delicious.
As if he could hear her thoughts, his gaze dropped to her mouth. She could have sworn that his eyes darkened, and the column of his throat worked.
And wouldn’tthatbe thrilling? To be kissed by rakish Kieran Ransome in the fitting alcove of Madame Jacqueline’s modiste shop?
He blinked, straightening, and disappointment thudded in her chest.
“You’re the most respectable woman I know,” he said.
“I’m theonlyrespectable woman you know,” she countered. “Not including your mother and sister.”
“Which signifies,” he persisted, “that it’s a simple matter for you to gain entry into all of London’s upstanding events, wherein a man might make the acquaintance of a substantial number of reputable, marriageable women.”
She stared at him as his intent became clear. “You wantmeto get you into these gatherings.”
He beamed at her, and she didn’t want to be gratified that she’d pleased him.
“I haven’t been invited or welcome at anything virtuous for years. But ifyougain me entry, it will show Society that my reformation into an upstanding gentleman is well underway. It will also servemy purpose wherein I will be able to meet the sort of woman our families would approve of as a potential bride.”
“I’m a means to an end.” Impossible not to feel dispirited by Kieran’s request. He had never truly seen her until she was useful to him, and only then as a stepping-stone to some other woman.
An immediate refusal sprang to her lips. Yet she didn’t speak it right away as she contemplated how to tell him topiss offin her most ladylike manner.
In that silence, Kieran spoke. “You needn’t give me your answer immediately. Although... sooner rather than later would be preferable, as I’m on something of a tight schedule.”
“Given that you convinced my brother to flee the altar—yes, I learned the truth from Dom’s own lips—and must now face the repercussions of your own actions, I hardly think you’re in the position to make demands of me.Yourinjudicious behavior doesn’t constitutemyurgency.”
He inclined his head. “Apologies. Would it help at all to consider that what I’m attempting to do will benefit Dom as well as myself?”
“Not especially. Pleas of your altruism don’t ring quite true.”
His smile flashed, and something that resembled respect gleamed in his eyes. “I’ll take my leave of you.”
“That would be for the best.” She hadn’t heard anyone rustling in the other fitting alcoves, so there was a chance they were empty, but she had tested her luck enough for one afternoon. If Kieran Ransome was spotted slipping out of this tiny space theycurrently shared, there was no doubt that scandal would follow.
Women had very little for themselves in this life. Their worldly goods were usually the property of husbands or male relatives. Their bodies counted as a man’s property, as did any children. Females’ reputations belonged to everyone. At the least, everybody seemed to care what happened to those reputations, no matterwhothat woman was.
Kieran Ransome might be considered a paragon of virility if he was seen coming out of her fitting room, while she would face ostracism and utter ruination.
“But be careful when you leave,” she said pointedly.
“I always am.”
“Untrue. I just read about your latest intrigue with Lady Selwin inThe Hawk’s Eye. Especially the part about you almost being shot by her husband as you fled her bedchamber.”
Kieran lifted one brow, and she realized she’d revealed too much of her interest in him. Yes, she found him fascinating, buthedidn’t need to know that.
Clearing her throat, she glanced at the curtain, indicating that it was time for him to go.
He sketched an ironic bow, which was no small feat given the narrow confines of the space they shared, and then, after checking to make certain no one was about, disappeared behind the curtain.
Alone, she leaned against the wall and let out a shaky exhalation. Though it had been the most extensive exchange of words she and Kieran had ever shared, it hadn’t been a very long conversation, andshe half believed what had transpired had been merely the product of girlish infatuation combined with excessive fantasizing of all the scandalous things she’d like to do if she wasn’t . . . who she was.
