Scandal at Dawn (A Regency Rhapsody Novella) Read Online Free Page B

limb. The Polite Society are out, parading for all to see. Those with things to sell are selling them as best they can: their jewels and titles and offspring.” His voice grew increasingly bitter as he spoke.
    “You don’t think much of them,” Olivia said calmly.
    He looked over at her suddenly. If she was shocked, she didn’t show it. “I don’t, but perhaps only because they don’t think much of me.”
    “Why not?”
    He paused. 
Why not?
A thousand reasons, some of them totally unsuitable to mention in mixed company.
    “I have created a reputation for myself.”
    “As a rake.” Olivia didn’t see any point in concealing her knowledge. “I have heard about you.”
    “And yet you accepted my invitation today?”
    “Don’t pretend to be surprised. You wouldn’t have asked if you’d have thought I would refuse you.”
    He laughed. “I hoped you would not.”
    “Despite your reputation? In any case, it doesn’t explain why you so hate Society.”
    “I don’t like their rules. Nor do I play by them. Society hates nothing more than someone who doesn’t kowtow to their rituals.”
    “And yet you are still invited to the
beaumonde
’s parties,” she said.
    “Rake or not, I’m still wealthy.” He shrugged. “And they’re avaricious.”
    “You’re cynical.”
    “Yes,” he agreed shortly. “As well as being an unpleasant conversationalist. I apologize.”
    “Not at all. I’m delighted when people speak honestly to me. It hardly ever happens—except with Emily.”
    “You’re lucky to have a friend like Miss St George.”
    “I am indeed,” Olivia smiled, thinking of her. “I would trust her with my life. I don’t know what will happen when…” she trailed off.
    “When what?”
    “Emily has turned down offers of marriage already. But she’s a remarkable person, and I know she will be married someday. I shall have to find a new companion when she leaves our home, a paid one most likely. It won’t be the same.”
    “But you might marry before her. You are also a remarkable person.”
    Olivia blushed at his words. “Your opinion is, alas, not common. I am aware I do not have the makings of a wife.”
    “No? I doubt that. I should think you do have the makings of a lover, or a muse.”
    “My Lord,” Olivia began tartly, intent on reprimanding him. “That…was one of the nicest things anyone has ever told me.”
    Adrian laughed. “I can see I’ll have to work much harder to shock you, Miss Blake.”
    They talked over many things during the course of the ride, which lasted longer than most, not that Olivia noticed. Adrian did succeed in shocking her a few times, but she more than paid him back with an honesty he had never before encountered from a woman. He found in addition to her physical charms, which were considerable, she was also entrancing to talk to, a development he hadn’t expected.
    Olivia, for her part, delighted in their conversation, recognizing when Lord Norbury teased her, and occasionally tempted her with his words. With every passing minute, she understood more clearly why women fell for him against all advice. He did a truly shocking thing: he
listened
.
    Adrian knew he had to return Olivia to her home eventually. He’d pressed his luck very far. In her driveway, he alighted quickly, but before he could get around to the other side of the curricle, a footman rushed up to Olivia.
    “Miss Blake! I’m to escort you inside
immediately
.” The boy reached up to help her down. She surmised the nervous lad was under orders from her uncle.
    “Of course, Jack,” she sighed, recognizing the boy’s voice. “Lord Norbury, I must thank you for a lovely afternoon. But I fear it was not without consequences. I do hope we will meet again.” Her tone suggested extreme doubt.
    “You may rely on it, Miss Blake,” Adrian promised, watching with a darkening expression as the footman rushed his charge inside.
    * * * *
    Olivia felt as though she was walking into a