Tempting a Devil Read Free Page B

freedom than unmarried ladies, but there are limits. God knows how we shall paint this evening’s melodrama to your advantage.”
    Harry felt a rush of exhilaration. She hoped Dumphrees was saying the most awful things about her, ruining her reputation and any chance she had of being accepted in polite society. That would foil Faircloth’s plans nicely. All she said was, “I daresay hewon’t tell a soul in fear for his own reputation with the ladies.”
    “Then you are quite, quite wrong, my dear.” Roger had stopped moving so they were a little closer to each other, but he was clearly still wary. “Dumphrees knows the first rule of sexual misadventures in society, which is that the man is never to blame.”
    Harry had no need to hide her bitterness. “That, dear dumb Roger, is the first rule of life.” She sat down on the edge of the fountain, the water falling noisily behind her. Roger came nearer, fooled into believing her pursuit was at an end.
    “You are far too young to be so cynical, Harry,” Roger told her. “That is a privilege reserved for those of who have earned cynicism through poor choices and unexpected betrayal.”
    If only you knew , she thought, but she kept her face blank. “My apologies, oh great philosopher. I shall leave the cynicism to you.” She adjusted her glove, shoving it in between her fingers with more force than necessary. “What poor choices and unexpected betrayals lurk in your past? You were always such a sunny boy, so full of laughter.” How she’d needed that laughter when he was no longer around.
    He waved his hand dismissively. “Old news.” He came over and sat down on the edge of the fountain with her. “What you need is someone discreet,” he said, regarding her seriously. “Someone whose activities do not concern society and who will keep your affair quiet.”
    Harry arched her brow. “Oh, really? I was thinking I wanted someone young and handsome and virile to show me what I missed during my marriage. Foolish me.”
    Roger frowned. “Thank you for the compliment, but none of that talk now. I’m trying to help you without actually thinking too much about what exactly an affair willentail.”
    She couldn’t contain her burst of surprised laughter. “When did your sensibilities become so delicate? Considering what we were doing a few moments ago, why is it so hard to imagine me with a lover?”
    He winced painfully. “Don’t remind me. I’m going to have nightmares about what almost happened between us. I’ve known you since you were a child, Harry. I’m having a bit of a problem equating this”—his hand flailed in her direction—“with the little girl who used to run wild after me through the woods.”
    “Oh,” Harry said, genuinely surprised. “I hadn’t imagined that. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other.” That was a development that could be troublesome. Perhaps she should let Roger help her find someone else, after all. “All right, then. Do you have any suggestions for my lover?”
    “Can we please call it something else?” He shifted, his expression troubled.
    “Fine,” Harry said impatiently. “Do you have any suggestions for a discreet gentleman who can satisfy my desire for companionship? Is that better?”
    “Not really,” Roger said. “And I’m not comfortable recommending any of my friends. They’re all as awful as me. Except for Sharp, but he just got married.”
    “Then Sharp is out,” Harry said firmly. “I’ve no wish to come between a man and his wife.”
    “Well, I daresay you couldn’t with Sharp and his little Juliet. Still in the first flush of marriage and they can’t keep their hands off each other.”
    “How romantic,” she drawled sarcastically, “for Mrs. Sharp.”
    “Sorry,” Roger said. “Forgot you said it wasn’t like that with your late husband.”
    “Could we focus on my present problem?” Harry asked briskly. Really, this evening was bringing up all sorts of tawdry