Too Dangerous to Desire Read Online Free Page A

have forgotten, I’m engaged to be married.”
    Oh, be assured it has not slipped my mind . Lord Dudley’s threats were a constant reminder of how her sister’s future happiness depended on someone being brave and resourceful enough to fight back and find a way to beat him and his friend Morton, who, she had been told, was a partner in the blackmail scheme. And that someone has to be me.
    “Anthony thinks me mature enough to share in his doubts as well as his dreams. I wish you would give me the same credit,” went on Georgiana softly. “You have been acting oddly ever since we arrived here in London. And it’s clear that something is amiss. Why won’t you let me help?”
    “I…I can’t.” Anthony Wilder, a cornet in the Blues regiment of the Horse Guards, was the son of a baron who possessed a large estate in Oxfordshire. His family felt the match was beneath him, but the young man had prevailed and won their reluctant consent. However, the slightest whiff of scandal would no doubt change that in a heartbeat. “Don’t ask me why.”
    Georgiana scowled and her left brow angled up to a martial tilt.
    It was the Be-Forewarned-This-Battle-Is-Just-Beginning look. And that it so rarely appeared caused another spasm of anxiety to clench at Sophie’s chest. Normally the very paragon of sweet temper and good sense, Georgiana could be frightfully stubborn—not to speak of unselfishly brave—when her passions were aroused. If she knew of the blackmail threat, she would demand to join the fight to counter it, even if it meant sacrificing her own future.
    And that must not—could not—be allowed to happen. Sophie knew that her best hope of seeing Georgiana happily married was to deal with the trouble quietly and discreetly on her own.
    Her sister finally broke the silent clash of stares with a huffed grumble. “You are wearing that odious Don’t-Argue-Because-I-Am-Your-Older-Sister-And-Know-Best look.”
    “I am your older sister, and in this case I do know best,” replied Sophie. To soften the rebuff she added, “I promise that I will explain it when I can.” It wasn’t really a lie, merely a subterfuge. “But in the meantime, I am asking you to trust me.”
    The candle flame flickered as Georgiana released a long exhale. “Very well. For now, that is.”
    Yet another danger dodged , thought Sophie wryly. If I were a cat, my nine lives would likely have been used up by this evening’s adventures.
    “Did you enjoy Mrs. Hartwell’s recital?” she asked quickly, grateful for a chance to move on to a safer subject. Georgiana was very fond of music and played the pianoforte with great skill.
    “Yes, it was quite nice. Her daughter Marianne has a beautiful voice and we performed a number of duets, including a number of Aunt Hermione’s favorite Scottish ballads.”
    “It sounds like it was a lovely evening,” murmured Sophie.
    “Perhaps next time you will not be struck with a beastly headache that requires the absolute peace and quiet of your darkened bedchamber,” said her sister dryly.
    “Georgie, you need not hammer home the point.”
    “Oh, very well. I shall cry pax .” Georgiana was too good-natured to stay aggrieved for more than a fleeting moment. “But you must promise me that you won’t cry off from the outing on Thursday evening. Uncle Edward has purchased tickets for all of us to attend a concert at Vauxhall Gardens.”
    “Vauxhall?” The place was a renowned pleasure garden, drawing people from all walks of life—which was part of its allure. They came dine, to mingle, to stroll, and to savor the aura of adventure that skirled through the dark leaves.
    “Yes, isn’t that exciting? We shall dine on the famous shaved ham in one of the special supper boxes while listening to Italian arias. And then, we shall have time to explore the pathways and pavilions before watching a display of fireworks light up the heavens!”
    “How divine,” said Sophie, trying to appear suitably