How to Marry a Rogue Read Online Free Page A

I notice you do not travel with one.”
    “I can dress myself, thanks.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “I have a suitable houseman in Bordeaux who doubles as valet when the occasion calls for it. What about you? A grown up woman should have someone to attend her. Or do you still have a nursemaid?”
    She gave him her best disdainful glare. “I will have someone at Lady Priscilla’s home attend me. A respectable man should live as one. You have sunk low in this world, Jack Waverley.”
    His lips twitched as he fought back a smile. She tingled inside. She’d always enjoyed their repartee. It was why she’d always looked forward to his visits at Fairwood Hall. That and his ability to make her laugh even at her darkest moments. He’d been a great comfort when her mother had died. She’d crawled into his lap and slept for hours when he found her, alone in her father’s big chair. Nobody else had the time to come looking for her, but Jack stayed at her side, ready with a tug on her curls or a sweet hidden in his pocket, distracting her from her sadness.
    “Not so low I cannot escort an innocent maiden and her chaperone across the Channel.” He adjusted his collar and cuffs with the assumed air of a judge. “I warn you, I may rescind my offer to your brother and send you packing. None of this gallivanting about the Parisian streets for you, Georgie. Think of all the parties and balls you will miss!” He clucked his tongue against his teeth. “And all because of your low opinion of me.”
    She laughed, genuinely happy for the first time in weeks. When Jonathan and Sophie moved to London for the season, they’d hoped the excitement would drag her out of her doldrums. Instead, she’d hardly left the house except to accompany Sophie on a few obligatory visits to those ladies of the ton they could not ignore. The daytime visits were not too bad; she had no chance of meeting Edward in the places where matrons and children dwelled. An outing to the theatre or a ball might put her in the same company of the one person she could not bear to see.
    She’d nearly ruined herself over an infatuation with Edward Mitford. With his flirtatious grin and wicked charm, he resembled her idea of all that was romantic and exciting. When he’d asked her to elope after stealing a kiss, she’d hesitated for only a moment.
    It didn’t take long for Jonathan to forgive her, and she had sincerely tried to please him in the last two years since her escapade. She was the model sister-in-law and confidante to Sophie, and truly looked forward to becoming an aunt. Although nobody outside her immediate family knew of the incident , as she and Jonathan referred to her near-elopement, she was aware of how close to ruin it had brought her. Never would she put herself in such a position again. She imagined meeting Edward in public and snubbing him, while he stared after her in hurt surprise.
    “There’s that smile I’ve missed. How have you been?” He regarded her with a brother’s concern.
    “I have been very well, thank you, Jack. I will admit I was determined to get away. This trip could not have come at a more opportune time.”
    “Ah.” He nodded understandingly. “Your brother mentioned your reluctance for of stepping out.” He cracked his knuckles. “Do not fear, Georgie. When we return to London, you can lure Mitford into a wood, where I’ll lie in wait. And then I will pummel him within an inch of his life until you tell me to stop.” The wicked spark she remembered from childhood glinted in his eyes. “However, I would applaud you if you strode right up to the bastard and belted him in the eye. I’ll hold him down for you.”
    Georgiana gaped at him in horror, then doubled over with laughter. “You are impossible.” She wiped the corners of her eyes. “Oh, but if I could.” She laughed again. “But that would mean I still cared about…” Like her brother, she could barely speak the dreadful name. She shook her head