Read Lady Beware for Free Online Page B

matter that required death.
    And all because he’d been swept off course and out of sense by a clear-eyed, arrogant, courageous, and fiercely passionate young woman.
    â€œMore brandy, sir?”
    Darien started and nodded at the servant. The free brandy served here was foul stuff, but he needed something strong and he had the head for it. He knocked back half the glass, welcoming the harsh burn, and glanced at his card. An ace. He drew but was beaten by the dealer’s eight. He still had most of his counters in front of him, and played another.
    There was a worse possibility.
    If Debenham wasn’t up to a duel, the next in line would be the lady’s cousin, young Cully. In many ways Cully Debenham reminded Darien of his brother, Frank. The same smiling zest for life, unquenched by war, and the same belief in fundamental goodness.
    Cully had been someone else Darien had avoided tonight. The lad had an unfortunate case of hero worship.
    Darien vowed to flee the country before facing Cully at pistol point.
    But this made him realize that he’d better get home to be available if a challenge came, and able to take whatever action was necessary. He rose, only realizing when the dealer urged him to stay that he’d doubled his money.
    â€œThe night’s young,” Darien replied, tossing a handful back to the man. “I’m on to Violet Vane’s.”
    No man could protest his intention to go on to a brothel. He just hoped no one would decide to accompany him. None did. Grigg’s was for men who preferred cards to women, except for women who’d combine both.
    He walked out into the sort of damp chill for which England was famous. In Spain and Portugal he’d often missed aspects of England, but never this. It was May, but the night air crept into the bones and felt as if it would grow mold in the lungs. But then, the worthy people in their tall houses were tucked up in their warm beds at this time of night.
    Or still dancing at a ball.
    What would Lady Theodosia do if he returned and asked her for a dance?
    Faint?
    Slap his face, more likely.
    That made it even more tempting.
    He was actually walking in that direction. He shook his head and turned toward Hanover Square. As he walked, he rattled his silver-knobbed cane along railings. His fate for the moment was beyond his control. It now lay in the hands of a lady. Long, elegant hands concealed by gloves. Long red gloves, which suddenly made him think of an army surgeon’s hands and arms, crimson up beyond the elbows.
    He shuddered at the image. How could those hands, those gloves, have been so damned erotic?
    And the pearls.
    White, glowing, virginal contrast to bold red.
    Was she virgin or wanton? Her courage had seemed the valiance of the young and untried, but her passionate response had knocked him for a loop. But even then, something taut, something frantic, suggested that she had ignited for the first time tonight.
    With him.
    Lady Theodosia Debenham. Sister to his enemy. Who must hate him now and would hate him more before this was over.
    Fate was a wanton, vicious jade.

Chapter 7
    W hen the final guests left Yeovil House at dawn, Dare told the family that he’d taken his last opium. Thea knew what this meant. Though he’d tried to hide the agony of past attempts from them, he walked toward torture. And those previous attempts had failed.
    This time, she’d make sure he’d succeed. What would she need for instant travel to Somerset?
    â€œI’m going to do it at Brideswell,” he added.
    â€œBrideswell?” It had escaped as a gasp before Thea could prevent it. Brideswell in Lincolnshire was the family home of his bride-to-be, Mara St. Bride, but they weren’t married yet.
    â€œIt’s a special place.” Dare spoke to her, because she’d let the protest out.
    â€œOf course.” What else could she say, but it felt like a betrayal. He would soon marry Mara, but he wasn’t