Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake Read Online Free

anything like—”
    “You will forgive me if I am not willing to take such a chance, my lord. Surely we can reach an accord?”
    In that moment, Gabriel’s decision was made.
    “You did not know our mother?”
    Juliana held herself perfectly straight and proud, meeting Ralston’s gaze without flinching. “She left us nearly ten years ago. I believe it was the same for you?”
    Ralston nodded. “We were not even ten.”
    “Then I imagine neither of us has much love lost for her.”
    “Indeed.”
    They stood like that for a long moment, each testing the truth of the other’s words. Gabriel spoke first. “I will offer you a bargain.” Juliana shook her head in an instant denial before Ralston lifted one hand and halted her words. “This is not a negotiation. You will stay for two months. If, after that time, you decide that you would prefer to return to Italy, I will arrange it.”
    She tilted her head as though considering the offer and the possibilities for escape. Finally, she nodded once in agreement. “Two months. Not a day more.”
    “You may have your pick of the bedchambers above stairs, little sister.”
    She dropped into a deep curtsy. “Grazie, my lord.” She turned toward the door of the study and was stopped by Nick’s curiosity.
    “How old are you?”
    “Twenty.”
    Nick cast a fleeting look at his brother before continuing. “You will need to be introduced to London society.”
    “I hardly think it necessary as I am only here for eight weeks,” Her emphasis on the last words was impossible to mistake.
    “We shall discuss it when you are settled in.” Ralston ended the conversation and escorted her across the room, opening the door to the study and calling for the butler. “Jenkins, please escort Miss Juliana upstairs and have someone assist her maid in unpacking her things.” He turned back to Juliana. “You do have a maid, do you not?”
    “Yes,” she said, amusement crossing her lips. “Must I remind you that it was the Romans who brought civilization to your country?”
    Ralston’s eyebrows rose. “You plan to be a challenge, do you?”
    Juliana smiled angelically. “I agreed to remain, my lord. Not to remain silent.”
    He turned back to Jenkins. “She will be with us from now on.”
    Juliana shook her head, meeting her brother’s eyes. “For two months.”
    With a nod, he revised his statement. “She will be with us for now.”
    The butler did not blink at the surprising announcement, instead offering a calm, “Very good, my lord,” and sending several footmen scurrying to remove Juliana’s trunks above stairs before leading the young woman away.
    Satisfied that his bidding would be done, Ralston closed the door to the study and turned back to Nick, who was leaning against the sideboard, a lazy smile on his face.
    “Well done, brother,” Nick said. “If only the ton knew that you have such an inflated sense of familial obligation…your reputation as a fallen angel would be shattered.”
    “You would do well to stop talking.”
    “Truly, it’s heartwarming. The Marquess of Ralston, in all his wickedness. Laid low by a child.”
    Ralston turned away from his brother, stalking across the room to his desk. “Don’t you have a statue somewhere that must be cleaned? An elderly woman from Bath with a marble in desperate need of identification?”
    Nick extended his legs and crossed one shining Hessian over the other, refusing to rise to his brother’s bait. “As a matter of fact, I do. However, she—along with my legions of fans—shall have to wait. I should much rather spend the afternoon with you.”
    “Do not stay on my account.”
    Nick became serious. “What happens in two months? When she still wants to leave and you cannot allow it?” When Ralston did not reply, Nick pressed on. “It has not been easy for her. Deserted by her mother at such a young age…then losing her father as well.”
    “No different than our own circumstances.” Ralston feigned