The Rake and the Wallflower Read Online Free Page B

they allowed in respectable ballrooms?” Hermione’s chin was set in a stubborn line.
    “Many aren’t. You would never find Blackthorn or Devereaux here. But most hostesses welcome amusing gentlemen, even if they are rakes. And Wroxleigh isn’t the only one you must avoid. Grayson has already ruined several innocents. Sanders is growing bolder. And stay well away from Millhouse.”
    “But Mother—”
    “Do you wish to find a husband?”
    Hermione sighed.
    “Once you are wed, you can befriend anyone you choose, but for now, avoid all rakes.”
    Mary gave silent thanks when Hermione capitulated and rejoined the other guests. They had not seen her.
    Griffin still lurked.
    She contemplated the sketchbook. How could she depict the stranger? Even on this brief acquaintance, he seemed more complex than the average gentleman. Almost as bad as Laura. Mary had done a series of sketches showing Laura as a haughty cat, a preening peacock, a stubborn mule, and a silly goose. Laura would undoubtedly accuse her of jealousy – or worse – if she ever saw them, for she would never admit that each depicted a facet of her character. Yet they were not comprehensive, even taken together. They didn’t show Laura’s generosity and need to help those in trouble, not did they depict how she could change from loving sister to furious judge in an instant.
    Turning pages, Mary stared at the sketch of Lord Wigby. Her stranger had chuckled wickedly when he’d seen it. She still glowed from his approval, for her drawings had never seemed good enough to show to others – not that she would have done so anyway. People already laughed at her. She could hardly risk further censure.
    Yet he had enjoyed them. And more. He had not only recognized her drawing of the chaffinch, he had improved it with a few brisk strokes. Was he an artist?
    She choked down a laugh. Of course he wasn’t an artist. Lady Debenham would never invite such a person to her ball. He probably dabbled with pen and brush to fill time, just as she did. Many gentlemen could produce decent watercolors. It was more surprising that he knew about natural history.
    Returning to the blank page, she concentrated on his face – the intriguing eyes that turned silver when he smiled, the lock of hair tumbling over his brow, the hollows under prominent cheekbones, the grace that reminded her of a cat. Power and a hint of wildness lurked under that elegant façade. An intriguing combination. Did he ever feel an urge to do something outrageous?
    She penciled a sleek panther, then frowned. While it radiated strength and grace, it also implied a haughtiness he’d lacked. Did he truly share her interests? It was a tempting thought, for it hinted that he might become a friend.
    Shaking away such a ridiculous notion, she turned the page. Men did not form friendships with ladies. Especially handsome men gifted with talent and intelligence.
    Who was he?
    The question teased her harder this time. In three weeks of perpetual entertainment, she had met hundreds of people. She would have sworn only an hour ago that she had seen everyone of note at least once. Even the Regent had attended the Hartleigh ball last week. But she’d not seen this man. Who was he?
    Someone on the fringes of society perhaps, like Griffin? A lord would have been shocked to find her hiding behind the palms. Of course, he’d been hiding, too—
    Her eyes widened. Maybe that was why she’d felt comfortable with him, though the idea that he was hiding seemed ridiculous. But why else had he been back here? Did he also have something to fear?
    Catherine begged every day that she not slip away. Laura was usually more emphatic. “Such cowardice will ruin you,” she’d snapped in the carriage tonight. “Society will cut you, and me with you. I know they will. They will wonder if I share your disregard for convention. You must abandon these silly fears and talk to people. Flirt. Dance. Ignore your unladylike education and plain