The Rake's Mistress Read Free Page A

congress in a carriage,’ Lucas finished softly for her. ‘Yes, Miss Raleigh—if that is indeed your name—I do so agree with you. Stephen’s exploits are a matter for alarm. Boys will be boys, but I wish Stephen had chosen another place to indulge himself than in the dangerous hands of the Angels. They will ruin him.’
    Rebecca felt a violent flash of outrage that almost got the better of her. She calmed herself with a deep breath and when she was able to speak she was pleased that her voice was almost steady.
    ‘I fear that you are labouring under a series of misapprehensions, my lord,’ she said. ‘I first made your brother’s acquaintance when he climbed into the carriage in Bond Street only a half-hour ago. On learning of his plight at the hands of his friends, who had abandoned him in a bordello, I agreed to convey him home. That is the sum total of our acquaintance.’ She looked at him defiantly. ‘On the basis of that short meeting, however, I can assure you that his company is far preferable to yours!’
    Lucas laughed. ‘I imagine so,’ he agreed. ‘I expect that Stephen was most charming to you, whereas I, having knocked about the world a good deal more than he has, am not as gullible as a youth in his salad days.’ Once again, his gaze assessed her, studying the curve of her breast beneath the thick, unfashionable worsted of her dress and returning to linger with disturbing concentration on her mouth.
    ‘How much did you take him for, Miss Raleigh?’ he asked softly. ‘One hundred guineas? More? What is your price?’
    Rebecca shrugged, feeling inordinately angry. ‘Your judgement is not as sound as you pretend, my lord,’ she forced out. It was an effort to speak politely, but years of dealing with her uncle’s customers had schooled her temper. ‘A gentlemanwho cannot tell the difference between a Cyprian and an artisan has little discernment indeed.’
    Lucas looked incredulous. He lay back on the seat, crossing his long legs at the ankle. Rebecca moved her skirts aside to avoid touching him. He watched her manoeuvre with amusement.
    ‘My dear Miss Raleigh,’ he said, ‘surely the facts speak for themselves?’ He gestured about them. ‘This is a carriage owned by the Archangel Club for the exclusive use of their customers. I find you inside it, with my brother. He is half-naked, smelling of drink and perfume, and covered in painted kisses. You are—’
    ‘I am what?’ Rebecca retorted. ‘Fully dressed? Your imagination runs away with you, Lord Lucas. Matters fell out precisely as I told you, as you will find when you interrogate your brother. In fact, I suggest that you go and do so now. I find your company grates on me!’
    Lucas was laughing. ‘What a charming manner you have, Miss Raleigh. Do you practise it on your clients—in whatever trade it is that you profess to perform?’
    Rebecca bit her lip. Hard. She found that she wanted to do him some sort of injury, preferably a painful and nasty one.
    ‘My customers deserve civility, my lord,’ she said. ‘You forfeited that right by your own discourtesy.’
    Lucas gave her an ironic half-bow. ‘I beg your pardon, Miss Raleigh. Would you care to explain the manner in which I have insulted you?’
    Rebecca glared at him. ‘Surely that is quite obvious, my lord? You are a gentleman who has a positive talent for offending a lady. I deeply regret the act of kindness that led me to offer my help to your brother. If I had known that it would require me to spend any amount of time with you, then I would have thought not once but twice!’
    She saw the gleam of Lucas’s teeth as he smiled. ‘A neat insult of your own, Miss Raleigh. You defend yourself with spirit. Alas, you are doing it too brown.’ His tone changed, became cynical. ‘No one associated with the Angels ever acts out of kindness. Why not come clean and tell me the truth? You may be sure that Stephen will not hold out for long when I speak to him.’
    Rebecca