The Rogue's Reluctant Rose Read Online Free

thankful, though her circumstance was never far from her own mind.
    “I know, Aunt,” she had replied, carefully keeping her voice soft even as her heartbeat sped up at the memory. “But it seems he was an old friend of Charles’ and I had met him as I child, though I do not recall it. I could not refuse him the dance without causing offense.”
    “Quite right, my girl,” agreed her Uncle Worthing. “It would have shown your manners to be lacking. Lord Chestleton, despite his regrettable reputation, is a very well-connected gentleman. His father had been one of the Regent’s friends in his day, and quite a pleasant man for all his flaws. His mother was certainly a woman of first quality — a very kind soul and of good family, also. It’s a wonder the current marquis is such a Corinthian. Did you know, my dear Mary, that he has regular vouchers to Almack’s?” he asked his wife.
    Almack’s were the most exclusive assembly rooms in London and one had to be of the finest quality to warrant an invitation. Even being of blood royal was not enough to guarantee vouchers.
    Lady Worthing had nodded thoughtfully. “I had heard as much. He is considered quite the catch among some of the matrons, you know, my love. But I would not have him for one of our girls, or for our Minta. No woman married to that rogue of a man could ever hope to be happy, even if she could get him to the church at all.”
    “And that is good, mama, for we have no intention of catching him, do we, Minta?” laughed Susan before changing the subject. “Do you know, Lord Harris said that he would call on me tomorrow morning so that we might go for a walk. Perhaps Minta would come along, as chaperone? Would you, my dear?”
    Susan had looked so blessedly happy at the thought of Lord Harris’s impending visit that Araminta had not had the heart to refuse her, though her head had been full of her own thoughts and she had no real desire to walk with the young couple the next day.
    “Certainly, if your cousin agrees. And you will take your maid, my dear — Araminta is our guest, and I do not wish her to feel put-upon.”
    Susan had not seemed affected by her mother’s stern tone, as she smiled winningly at her cousin.
    “It’s no trouble at all,” Minta had agreed, with a smile of her own. Susan appeared to be getting quite attached to Lord Harris, which gratified Araminta, who couldn’t help noticing that Susan had appeared glum after a stay at the Worthing country house over the winter.
    ***
    True to his word, Lord Harris arrived at the Grandston House promptly at ten o’clock. He was received by Lord Worthing and provided with tea and fresh scones while he waited for Susan to appear.
    Susan had taken her time in selecting the right walking dress, at last deciding on a pale mint gown, trimmed with delicate Belgian lace around the neck and hem. The gown was well cut, with a graceful fall in the skirt. The colour was perfectly suited to her and brightened her complexion. Over the gown, Susan wore a thin matching pelisse, reaching almost to her ankles. Araminta thought that her cousin looked radiant and was sure to make Lord Harris fall even more in love with her. Her prediction was confirmed, she decided, by the way Lord Harris’s face lit up as Susan entered the study.
    Araminta retrieved her own taffeta parasol, fetchingly trimmed with blue fringe, and a chantilly lace shawl, which had once belonged to her mother. Her own dress was a pale blue, and though simple in design, the colour restored some brightness to her complexion, which had been lost in the months of mourning from which she had only just emerged. She knew that a young lady always needed to appear at her best, especially when out for a walk on the town. One never knew when one might meet a person of consequence and it was important to always be prepared. She pinched her cheeks in an attempt to heighten her colour before descending down the stairs.
    ***
    Lord Harris was a very