A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin Read Online Free

and downed it. This evening had taken a decidedly foul turn. “I suppose that leaves me then, doesn’t it?”
    At her silence, he turned to look back at her, sitting so small and quietly. “No reply? You used to be full of chatter.” That’s what he remembered of her. A little magpie. When she followed him about, she would pelt him with questions mercilessly.
    She shook her head and then nodded and then shook her head again as though she could not make up her mind. “I was hoping with your . . . resources . . . you could help me locate my mother. I have no wish to be a burden to you.”
    He poured himself another drink, feeling too damnably sober all of a sudden. “I imagine I could locate her.” She was likely underneath some man. A poor sod like his father who believed every poisonous word she spouted. “And until then, what am I to do with you?”
    He strolled back across the room, stopping in front of her, holding his glass loosely with his fingers.
    Her gaze lifted, crawling up him slowly. Cat’s eyes. Topaz gold. He frowned, again struck with how almost otherworldly she appeared. Feylike. Had she always looked thusly? He remembered her with more meat on her bones. And all wild hair, obscuring much of her face. “I shall endeavor to stay out of your way . . . if you would allow me to stay beneath your roof.”
    If? There was no choice in the matter. He would feed and house her until he located her mother and forced her to take responsibility for her daughter.
    He moved for the door. “I’ll show you to a room. The staff is already retired for the night.”
    â€œThank you, Your Grace.” The sound of rustling fabric signaled she was following him. He didn’t look over his shoulder. “I promise not to bother—­”
    He stopped suddenly and turned. “Let us be clear. Your presence here bothers me. Greatly.”
    She stopped and backed away so as not to stand too near. “I’m s-­sorry, Your Grace.”
    Inhaling, he continued as though he had not heard her. “There is nothing to be done for it tonight, but on the morrow, I shall send for my cousin and aunt to come stay. For propriety’s sake.”
    â€œI don’t think that is necessary—­”
    â€œAnd what do you know of Society, Miss Hughes?” Bitterness leaked from his voice. “You’ve been rusticating for the last ten years at some school.” He scanned her up and down. “I’ll not have tongues wagging that you’re here unchaperoned. Unless you prefer the dames of the ton to whisper loud enough for you to hear that you’re my latest conquest?”
    Her slender form stiffened. “Of course not. I merely had no wish to inconvenience you. After all, propriety does not seem to be very high on your list of priorities.”
    He blinked, wondering if he had heard her correctly. The veiled insult was there. The corner of his mouth quirked. She was no mild-­mannered miss after all, it appeared. The kitten had claws.
    â€œNo doubt you reference what happened earlier in the drawing room. My guests for the evening invading upon you?”
    â€œForgive me,” she hastily offered, shaking her head. “I meant no judgment—­”
    â€œOf course you did. That’s what ­people do. Judge and condemn.” He sliced a hand through the air, indicating it made no difference. “It won’t happen again. I’ll not entertain while you’re in residence.”
    â€œBe that as it may, we are kin,” she insisted. “Of a sort. I doubt anyone would question me under your roof—­”
    â€œWith my reputation, I guarantee they would. I grow weary of this discussion. My cousin and aunt will join us. The matter is closed.”
    She pressed her mouth into a hard line and gave a single nod of acceptance. But she looked miserable and ready to burst from relenting