Scoundrel Read Online Free

slap my face and create quite a scene if they’d guessed my intent.”
    If only she had the nerve to create a scene! She would very much like to scream. Instead she kept her voice soft and pretended she couldn’t care less that he was using and humiliating her. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how easily she fell into his trap. “Perhaps I find it refreshing to dance with a man who doesn’t ogle me throughout a dance.”
    The warmth of his gaze took on the cooler cast of suspicion. “You don’t appreciate the fact that men find you attractive?”
    Lily took offense at the question. He didn’t find her attractive. Remmington didn’t appreciate her looks beyond the fact that they would make Margaret jealous. He had no idea what hid behind them, probably wouldn’t care if he did. It was almost comical how they’d both misjudged the other. At least she’d discovered his true character before she made a complete fool of herself, though his actions said he thought her that still. She was tempted to give him the setdown he deserved, to prove how wrong he was about her.
    “Do
you
appreciate it, Your Grace?”
    He gave her a quizzical look. “Pardon me?”
    She caught her breath as they made a daring sweep of the dance floor, and then blurted out her explanation before she could change her mind. “I asked if you appreciate being pursued for what you appear to be, rather than for what you are.”
    He stared at her in silence, then avoided her gaze entirely. Although he held her just as closely, she could feel the distance grow between them by the moment. “You are proving entirely too insightful, Lady Lillian.”
    He looked as if he meant to say more, but Lily didn’t give him a chance to elaborate. She didn’t want to hear any more of his cutting remarks. She wanted to be away from him as soon as possible, before she did something truly foolish. Tears would be the final humiliation, and she could feel them sting her eyes already. “And you, my lord, are surely aware that Lady Margaret holds me responsible for swaying Lord Osgoode’s affections from her court. If there is any doubt in your mind, let me assure you that it is extremely unpleasant to be the subject of your fiancée’s gossip.”
    “Lady Lillian, I—”
    “Please spare me the explanations.” She refused to look at him, wished she would never again have to see that handsome face. Instead she fixed her attention on a very small, loose thread on the lapel of his jacket. “Explanations are entirely unnecessary, Your Grace. Whatever games you play with your fiancée, I do not wish to be a part of them.”
    The music faded away and Remmington brought their dance to a sweeping halt, but he didn’t release her. She glanced up at him, then she quickly looked away.
    The odd light in his eyes made her nervous. It was as though he’d looked into her very soul. She didn’t want him there. She especially didn’t want his pity. “Your Grace, the dance is over. You mustn’t ruin your plan at this late date by looking so displeased with me.”
    They also looked conspicuous on the nearly empty dance floor. Lily could almost feel people stare at her as they whispered more gossip behind her back. Why did he do this to her? What had she done to deserve such treatment? So she’d fancied herself half in love with him. This was more than ample payment for that folly.
    Remmington executed another practiced bow, then tucked her hand beneath his arm to escort her from the floor. His pace slowed as they neared Sophie and the doors that led to the gardens. It was then Lily noticed the small crowd that had formed around Sophie. Its members varied in age, but all were male. Her heart sank. She would be forced to accept their invitations to dance or risk even more gossip about the reasons she’d danced with Remmington.
    George Allen inclined his head toward Remmington as he approached the couple. Lily felt herself shrink away from the barely concealed