Page 1 of My Lady Rake

CHAPTER1

June 1820

The Lake District

From inside the ballroom, a screech of violin strings shattered the melodious song the party-goers danced to. Out on the balcony, Verity Stanhope shivered, the best she could do to mask the whole-body shudder the sound created within her. The entire night was off, the champagne not as dry as she preferred, the punch not sweet enough. The air was too warm, and there was no breeze to wash away the mood she was in.

Why had she agreed to come to Lord St. Ervan’s home with Miles Uppingham? She never did that. Never travelled with an assignation, never met with one on multiple nights in the same week, andneverwasted what could be a prime opportunity to meet a fresh, young lordling to seduce. Yet here she was, three nights into a week of what could be carnal debauchery and Miles wouldn’t let her out of his sight.

She drew in a breath and ran her silk gloves over her arms to calm the gooseflesh. Standing in the shadowy corner of the small balcony, she debated her options. She could retire to her bedchamber, of course, but that was the cowards’ way. In addition to dancing, guests mingled in the dining room where dishes of delights were kept hot or cold as required, and the punch bowl seemed to magically refill itself. Men could always be found in the billiards room. And there was always someone looking for a partner in a card game in yet another room. All she needed to do was decide where to escape, and then make her way across the ballroom, down the staircase, through various hallways…

Doing so without Miles seeing her was as likely as her discovering the Northwest Passage.

Yet she wasn’t a coward, and certainly not a missish virgin who was afraid to assert her own desires—or lack thereof, when the situation warranted. And that situation was now.

She didn’t lack courage, she told herself as she smoothed the curls framing her forehead. Lifting her chin, straightening her posture, she turned and re-entered the ballroom.

No one spoke to her as she circled the room, remaining as close to the wall as possible. Many of the dancers and others lingering about the room were neighbors who likely didn’t know her, rather than the guests staying the week, and for that she was grateful.

Verity was within ten steps of the door when Miles stepped in her path.

“There you are, my dear.” The young man grasped her hand in both of his as if he’d found a cherished treasure. He was so sweet, so handsome with his pale blond hair swept back from a strong brow that guarded over gentle blue eyes. What had she been thinking when she picked him as her next delicacy?

“Here I am.” Verity tugged her hand free. “I was just leaving.”

Miles stepped beside her and placed his hand on her back almost territorially. Rather than cause a scene, Verity continued to walk to the door, but he fell into step. “Shall we have some punch?”

“No, thank you,” she said as she stepped into the hallway. Another couple glided past them into the ballroom, then Verity strode to the stairs.

Her escort kept up.

Deciding the card room would have the greatest number of options with which to busy herself, she turned to the right on the second floor and hurried down the well-lit hallway. Miles remained at her side. Laughter rose above the conversation volume spilling from the open door on the left, and she rushed inside.

A quick scan of the room revealed her friends, the Duke of Abingdon, and the Duke of Dainsfield, playing cards with their host, the Earl of St. Ervan, and another man. They’d come to her aid if needed.

Miles had other ideas and took her elbow, leading her to a table for two. “Do you wish to play a game or two?”

“No,” she said, freeing her arm. “I must speak to our host.”

Verity tried to catch the eye of any of the men at that table, but they were either being discreet or simply paying attention to their game. She wasn’t used to having men ignore her and felt a bit insulted. “Lord St. Ervan,” she said as she drew near the table.

He glanced up from his cards. “Mrs. Stanhope, how lovely you look this evening. Do you require a deck of cards, or a chess table, perhaps?” He motioned to a footman standing next to a cabinet on one long wall.

Chess, she thought. That would be an excellent deterrent to Miles’ amorous intentions, but it was also the furthest thing from an entertaining pastime that she could imagine at the moment. “Thank you, no.”

Frustrated, she couldn’t think of an excuse to get Miles to leave. “I, that is…I wish for you to allow me a second chance at our wager.” She smiled brightly and batted her lashes as her thoughts scrambled for the explanation she knew he’d ask for.

“Our wager, yes, of course.” Lord St. Ervan exchanged glances with Abingdon and Dainsfield. “Must it be now? As you see, I’m in the middle of a game with these gentlemen.”

“Forgive me, Your Graces, how thoughtless of me. You know how I hate to lose, and when I saw St. Ervan I could think of nothing else than a second chance.”

Abingdon watched her through narrowed eyelids as if trying to ascertain what she was up to. He made some signal to the dealer. “Yes, you are a determined minx, aren’t you? As you can see, I’m winning at the moment. Why should I allow St. Ervan to leave the game?”

Verity clasped her hand around Miles’ arm, or as much of it as she could. Memories of those muscular arms flexed and bulged in her head as they did when he held himself above her while he filled her with his—oh, blast it all! She released his arm and fought the urge to fan herself. “Mr. Uppingham could step in for St. Ervan.”

“Mrs. Stanhope,” Miles said quickly. “I’d rather—”

“Excellent idea.” St. Ervan stood, setting aside his cards. He strode around the table and tucked Verity’s gloved hand into the bend of his arm. “Good evening, gentlemen.”