Page 24 of The Dangerous Love of a Rogue
The footman dished up some scrambled eggs and smoked fish.
‘I have no concern over Mary’s behaviour,’ John answered. ‘It ishisI worry about.’
Mary looked at him. ‘Why do you dislike him?’
‘He’s a fortune hunter,’ her father said.
John’s eyebrows lifted. ‘And a man of his ilk is not for you.’
‘His ilk… What does that mean? What is his ilk?’ Mary could not help pressing for an explanation. She wanted to understand. She wanted to convince her heart it was wrong.
‘This is why she needs a chaperon.’ John looked at Kate. ‘He speaks to her and now she is asking foolish questions.’ He looked sternly at Mary. ‘What did he say?’
Heat burned under her skin. ‘Nothing beyond courtesy.’
‘So, he put on the charm. Do not believe any of it. It is feigned.’
Mary set down her knife and fork. ‘I cannot see?—’
‘Mary!’ Her father silenced her. ‘This is an inappropriate conversation.’ He glanced at her younger sisters. ‘I trust you to be sensible. But I agree with John, no more unaccompanied rides.’
She held her father’s gaze for a moment, then looked at John. What had Lord Framlington done to be deemed such a villain? Men needed to marry for money, that was not a crime. He was a rake, but many men were that also – they lived recklessly then grew up – as John had done.
But surely if Lord Framlington intended on marrying her, his rakishness was over and her father’s and brother’s arguments were groundless.
Mary focused on her breakfast.
Perhaps John had a vendetta against Lord Framlington; John had not spoken against any other man so vehemently.
Tomorrow she would ask him why her brother disliked him so much.
The thought of meeting him stole her appetite as a dozen butterflies took flight in her stomach.
8
Drew strolled into White’s, his gentleman’s club, seeking masculine company, a game of cards and conversation.
He found his friends in their usual place. Harry Webster, Mark Harper and Peter Brooke sat in the first salon.
‘Fram!’ Harry called. ‘I thought you were courting Miss Marlow.’
Drew smiled. ‘She is attending a musical soirée, a place where it is impossible to pursue the chase.’
His friends laughed. Drew signalled to a footman to bring him a glass of brandy.
‘How goes the seduction?’ Mark asked when Drew sat beside him.
‘If it were simply seduction it would be done, but as I am seeking a wife the game is more complex. Despite allowing me certain favours, Miss Marlow has given not a single indication she will agree to become my wife.’
‘Favours?’ Peter smiled.
‘Do tell,’ Harry said.
Drew leaned back into the winged leather chair, letting his hands rest on the arms and grinned. ‘I will not tell and tarnish the reputation of my future wife.’
‘Your brother tells all about his wife.’ Harry returned the grin, smiling for a different reason.
Drew looked over his shoulder. Sure enough his eldest brother sat a distance behind him, accompanied by their brother-in-law, Lord Ponsonby. Ponsonby had married Drew’s eldest sister. Neither man was an example Drew wished to emulate. His grin became a sneer.
