Taming the Rake Read online

  Gina wanted to ask more, but knew that further inquiry on such a delicate subject would be unseemly.

  Lady Augusta continued. “And now with the scandal involving Lady Alice, I fear that no respectable young lady will ever give him a second glance.”

  “I very much doubt that. Your brother is a very handsome man.” And many sins would be forgiven simply for that fact. Though Gina realized there was undeniably some truth to what Lady Augusta said. Ladies might look at his handsome face and sigh romantically, but few marriageable young ladies would likely look in his direction for more. And even fewer fathers would permit it. But there would always be someone willing to defy convention for the promise of a handsome, titled husband.

  Lady Augusta’s face immediately brightened. “You think he’s handsome?”

  Gina felt the heat rise in her cheeks, realizing she’d spoken her thoughts aloud. “Well, yes… I suppose.”

  Lady Augusta looked so pleased by her response that Gina began to feel a tad uneasy. Gina could almost see Lady Augusta’s mind working and if Gina wasn’t mistaken, finding herself around Coventry was not going to be a problem. A matchmaking sister, on the other hand, might be.

  Cecelia descended on Gina not long after Lady Augusta excused herself. Gina could tell that Lady Augusta was disappointed that her brother had left so quickly.

  “Did you know that he would be here?” Cecelia asked furtively.

  “Of course not,” Gina said. “This is the last place I would have expected to find the notorious Lord Coventry. It must have been my stepmother’s doing.”

  “Well,” Cecelia asked impatiently. “What did he say?”

  Gina recounted the conversation as best she could remember. When she was finished, Cecelia looked at her with newfound respect. “You surprise me, Gina. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

  “To be so bold?”

  “No, the boldness doesn’t surprise me.” Cecelia laughed. “But staring at his trousers does.”

  Gina blushed. “I must admit, I didn’t think I could do it.”

  Cecelia grinned, a wicked glint in her eye. “You bore up well under such hardship.”

  Gina nodded wearily. “The things we must endure for the betterment of womankind.”

  Both girls broke out into peals of giggles, sobering quickly when numerous frowns were directed their way.

  “Well,” Cecelia started. “It sounds as though it was just the thing. But now what?”

  Gina had been giving the matter some thought. “I do have an idea.”

  “Go on.”

  “Tonight I had the advantage in part because he was alone—without the support of his rakish cohorts.”

  Cecelia’s gaze turned calculating. “Divide and conquer.”

  “Precisely,” Gina agreed, pleased that her friend had immediately grasped her point. “The enemy is stronger when they work together, we’ll have to do our best to separate them.”

  “And how shall we do that?”

  Gina shrugged. “I’m not sure. But in my case it shouldn’t prove that difficult.”

  Cecelia looked at her questioningly.

  “I don’t think I should have a problem finding him alone,” she said wryly. “Lady Augusta will see to that.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  A week later at Lady Jersey’s annual ball, Gina was proved correct—though it wasn’t just Lady Augusta whom she had to thank for the opportunity to converse further with Lord Coventry. Cecelia had brought in the reinforcements.

  True to her word, Cecelia had purchased a new journal and, mimicking what they might find at White’s, formally entered a purposefully cryptic wager—ambiguous enough to not cause a stir in case the journal fell into the wrong hands.

  By season’s end, three determined young ladies will successfully wield proposals from the notoriously reluctant B________, C _______, and R________.

  In addition, in further pursuit of their just endeavor, she had selectively enlisted the aid of a few of their friends. The choice of whom to confide in was limited to ladies who would be sure to share their interest in bringing these “gentlemen” to heel—particularly those with a personal ax to grind. Not surprisingly, there was a large group of ladies to choose from.

  But, despite their best efforts, and much to Claire’s and Gina’s consternation, rumors of their secret society were already being bandied about by some of the younger circles, tinged with not a small amount of admiration—and perhaps even envy. The challenge would be to make sure the terms of their wager did not reach the wrong ears. They were playing a dangerous game with propriety—their unmaidenly “game” was sure to cause a certain amount of censure—but Cecelia assured them the risk was minimal, even if they were discovered. It was a prank, nothing more. Gina shuddered to think of her father’s reaction should he ever find out. She doubted he’d find social justice an adequate excuse.

  In any event, when Coventry arrived (late) at Berkeley Square in the company of Beaufort, Mr. Ryder, Lord Ashley, and Lord Percy, the new recruits were ready. In a matter of minutes the pastel-gowned soldiers had ambushed the unsuspecting rakes, enlisting their services for a variety of false purposes. The tactical precision of their attack would have impressed the Duke of Wellington himself, Gina thought with not a small amount of pride.

  Claire feigned a magnificent swoon, practically falling at the feet of the Duke of Beaufort, after which he was unable to refuse her pitiful request for refreshment. If all else failed, Claire certainly had a future on Drury Lane. Cecelia, with the help of Lady Anne Spencer, immediately sought out the expertise of Mr. Ryder—a man known for his skills with the ribbons—in settling a dispute about the proper way to drive a high-perched phaeton. Lady Frances Villiers and Lady Charlotte Clive, with the innocent help of their eminent hostess, promptly dispatched of Lord Percy and Lord Ashley, insisting that they form the third and fourth for a thrilling game of whist.

  Gina watched it all with a huge smile on her face. Cecelia was right. This was fun. And the competitive streak in her had already sprung into action. Not only did she intend to win, but she had every intention of being the first to bring her quarry to his knees. Or in this case, knee.

  Her battle plan was simple. She would put order to Coventry’s degenerate world and show him exactly what a proper wife could do for him. Gina saw no need for tricks or subterfuge. Once he realized what she had to offer, she was confident that he would come around.

  Not long after the removal of his friends, Lady Augusta fulfilled her earlier promise and contrived to bring them together.

  “Oh, look, Coventry. What a delightful coincidence, meeting Lady Georgina like this.”

  Coventry was hardly fooled. “Yes, what a… uh…” He paused just a hair too long, “Coincidence.”

  “Yes, delightful, isn’t it?” Gina said.

  Once again she was struck by his attractiveness. The immediate bodily recognition of this fact was the source of considerable annoyance. Gina knew what this man was like, yet the first thing she could think of when he approached was how incredibly handsome he was. The increased rate of her heartbeat didn’t help matters. She told herself that the more she got to know him, and when confronted with his numerous character flaws, the less effect his appearance would have on her illogical pulse. Apparently two meetings were not enough to dispel the novelty of his undeniable masculine appeal.

  He wore what she was beginning to suspect was his usual evening attire of dark pants, a dark cutaway coat and plain waistcoat, though this time the pants were breeches and the fabric silk, befitting the more elegant affair. He still had that slightly disheveled, but not messy, look. One welcome difference this go-around was the absence of the strong smell of port. He didn’t appear to be foxed. Yet.

  Lady Augusta renewed the introductions. “Lady Georgina, you remember my brother?”

  “Of course. Another unexpected pleasure, Lord Coventry.”

  “Lady Georgina.” He bowed. “Hardly unexpected. I believe I mentioned la