Page 6 of Married to the Rake

“I have no reason not to. You are a Waverley. Besides which, your reputation is well-known.”

“And highly exaggerated.”

“There is a grain of truth to every rumor,” she said.

He could not deny that. Though many of the rumors were exaggerated, he had enjoyed his time in London since he was a youth. He’d found women easy to come by and enjoyed their company far more than spending time in gentlemen’s clubs.

“It seems, Miss Larkin, that you are no better than our fathers. You like to hold a man’s previous sins against him.”

Her brows rose. “Previous sins? I have it on good authority that those sins are very current.”

Brook cursed inwardly. No doubt she had seen the talk of his affair with the contessa in the gossip columns. While he had pursued her briefly, nothing had come of it. Before anything could happen, she had returned to Spain. He doubted Miss Larkin would believe him, though. And even if he had not consummated the relationship, his pursuit of her would not paint him any better in Miss Larkin’s eyes, he could see that now.

“I shall persuade you, Miss Larkin.” He smiled. “I can be very persuasive.”

She straightened her shoulders. “I’m sure you are. But I’m not easily persuaded. Whatever game you are playing, I have no interest in partaking in it.”

With that, she turned again, hastening away. As tempted as he was to pursue her, he did not think it would help his cause. But he was not dissuaded. In fact, their confrontation had only increased his interest in joining forces with her. An interest that was, in part, just a little selfish. Miss Chloe Larkin was utterly unlike any other woman he had met and he’d be damned if he would not persuade her over to his side. No woman denied him. Not even the stubborn Miss Larkin.