The Redemption of Lord Rawlings Read Free Page A

waking moment.
    “ Beautiful as usual, though she despises the fact I’ll be seeing less of her now that I’m to act the part with my new fiancée. But once the marriage is sealed, I’ll be setting up Daisy in her own house.”
    “ Fortunate lady no doubt.” Phillip snorted, and for a moment wondered about the other mistress Whitmore was always so secretive about. Rumor had it he was keeping company with a widowed countess, but Phillip doubted Whitmore actually had it in him to seduce a seasoned woman of the ton . The older ones always had so many rules. And if he knew anything of Whitmore, it was that he despised rules.
    Whitmore appeared perplexed. “You mean Daisy is the lucky one?”
    Phillip looked at his friend. “Both women who have so…happily landed in your clutches.” His sarcasm failed to meet the mark, for Whitmore simply smiled like a besotted fool and took a seat in the study.
    Dressed as a complete dandy, what Whitmore lacked in style, he gained in debauchery. It seemed his only goal in life was to accumulate wealth and bed as many women as possible—a feat he was accomplishing admirably, if the gossip was true. Yet, he was Phillip’s friend, his only friend since the falling out with Tempest and Renwick. They had all been friends at Eton until a tragic accident with the duke’s late parents left them forever separated.
    Renwick and Phillip had both continued down the path of destruction, until Renwick was rescued by a beauty from the country. Tempest, on the other hand, had chosen the path of impeccable reputation, though in the end had to be saved from his own self-righteousness. And through a series of odd events, the three of them had managed to rebuild some of the broken bridges that had been destroyed during their earlier, more careless, years.
    Whitmore smiled, revealing straight white teeth and a cool air of smugness. “I am certain she’ll be besotted with me. Don’t you agree?”
    How to answer. “She will be most definitely pleased.” That is if she can get past the idea of you having three mistresses at once as well as a fancy for brandy morning and night . “More than pleased, I’m sure.” Curse his rotten luck that he had nothing to be thankful for other than a warm meal. Not even the promise of a lady filling his bed, considering he was too low on coin to pay her.
    “ So when shall I meet her?” Phillip drawled, trying to move along the conversation, so he could change out of his wet clothes and rid himself of Whitmore, who was making himself comfortable on the divan.
    Whitmore tapped his gold crested cane on the floor before answering. “At the Tempest ball tonight. I say, have you secured an invitation? Your reputation with Tempest has been anything but savory these past few years.”
    Phillip opened his mouth to fire back a snide remark, when his butler Winifred strode in and announced, “The Duke of Tempest, my lord.”
    Tempest swept by Winifred and haughtily examined Whitmore from head to toe before turning toward Phillip. “Rawlings, I have come to formally invite you to our celebration tonight.”
    A muscle twitched in Whitmore’s cheek. It was common knowledge he had had never been one of Tempest’s favorite men, for reasons Phillip knew all too well. “But of course. I, er, was not aware an invitation had been received.”
    Tempest smiled through clenched teeth. “Now you are.”
    “ Right.” Phillip couldn’t hide the cynical smile that played across his lips. What was Tempest really doing here? As if answering his question, Tempest stepped closer, lifting his walking cane into his hands and removing his hat. It left Phillip feeling momentarily uncomfortable that his butler hadn’t the proper practice to remember to take the duke’s belongings. Of course, it was partially Phillip’s fault, for it was rare for him to accept visitors, and his stepmother was always turned away.
    “ I also had another urgent matter to discuss with you, if now is an