The Rake's Rebellious Lady. Anne Herries

are very right, though the golden rule is to play only if you can pay.’

      ‘Ah, yes, very true—but I think that gaming has brought more than one gentleman to ruin.’

      ‘I am sure that is so. The devil of it is that one can do nothing to prevent it. When someone has the need for self-destruction, no cautionary words will help.’ Freddie was thoughtful for a moment and then he glanced at her. ‘But tell me, do you go to Lady Rowe’s affair tomorrow?’

      ‘Yes, indeed we shall,’ Caroline replied, allowing his wish to change the subject. ‘Shall you be there, sir?’

      ‘It was my intention, but I have business that takes me to Oxford, though I hope to return within a few days.’

      ‘Oh…’ Caroline knew a pang of disappointment. ‘Well, I suppose you must settle your affairs.’

      ‘I must speak to my agent urgently,’ Freddie told her. ‘There are certain things that must be seen to at my estate and…elsewhere.’ He smiled at her. ‘Do you intend to stay in town until the end of the Season?’

      ‘I am not sure…’ Caroline wrinkled her brow in thought. ‘For some weeks yet, I believe, but it depends…on many things.’

      ‘Just so,’ Freddie agreed. ‘Tell me, Miss Holbrook, have you progressed with your reading?’

      They began to discuss the merits of Mrs Radcliffe’s writing, passing on to the discussion of literature and poetry. The park was full of people that morning, and, as they made their rounds, they were hailed by Mr Bellingham, who was driving Julia that morning.

      Caroline was sorry when they completed their turn of the park and returned to her aunt’s house. She smiled and thanked Sir Frederick for his company, and went in feeling oddly out of sorts with herself. She had enjoyed driving with him, but was still uncertain whether, if asked, he would count her as a friend or merely an acquaintance.

      Freddie left town that afternoon, his thoughts much exercised by his conversation with Miss Holbrook. She had begun to pop into his mind too often of late, but he had not yet come to a decision concerning his future plans. If he cared to marry, Miss Holbrook was exactly the kind of lively young woman he would wish to make his wife—though he would not wish his offer to be accepted simply for the sake of his wealth and rank. He supposed that in time he must marry, for it was his duty to produce an heir, as his uncle had no children to carry on the family name. However, he would not wish to marry for such a reason.

      It would be unfair to the lady and to him. He firmly believed that there must be genuine respect and affection on both sides for a marriage to work—and therein lay the rub, for he could not suppose that he had found much favour in the lady’s eyes even if she had caused him a restless night or two. He knew that her careless remark about becoming a duchess had been made out of pique, but it might not be far from the truth. He had noticed that one or two of her suitors were more than a little interested and some were his equal in birth, if not quite in wealth. Was it possible that Miss Holbrook—or her mama—was waiting for the highest bidder? Caroline might be feigning indifference so as to arouse his interest the more.

      Freddie had been used to living much as he pleased, and was answerable to no one for his actions. If he were to marry, he would need to make changes to his lifestyle and his various houses. What would do for a bachelor would not do for a lady, particularly one with modern tastes and a lively mind.

      Yes, he must consider carefully while he was away. In the meantime, however, he had other more pressing matters on his mind…

      It was as well for Caroline that the next few days were too full to allow her time for reflection. It seemed that she went from one affair to the next, sometimes attending more than one event in the same evening. If it was not Almack’s, it was a private dance or a card evening, and she met the same people with amazing regularity.

      She had begun to realise that there were very few gentlemen she would be happy to see every day of her life. Most of them seemed good mannered and pleasant, but that spark was missing, the vital element that made her feel so much more alive. There were actually no more than two or three in whose company she felt truly able to be herself. Mr Bellingham was perhaps the kindest of her acquaintance and she was usually happiest when with him and Julia Fairchild, who had become a particular friend.

      Nearly a week had passed before she saw Sir Frederick again. However, he was with Mr Bellingham and Julia as she entered Mrs Ashton’s large drawing room that Saturday evening. Her breath caught in her throat, and all at once her heart began to beat very fast. It was so very pleasant to see him again. She fanned herself delicately, for she believed that her cheeks must be flushed.

      Oh, no, this was foolish! She must control her feelings. It would not do for her to show any sign of partiality this early in their acquaintance. He would think she was setting her cap at him! Even though Julia was making signs to her, she would not go to join them just yet.

      They had all been invited for the pleasure of having supper, listening to music or playing cards. Some of the gentlemen were already playing cards at tables set up at the far end of the room, but Sir Frederick, Mr Bellingham and Julia were standing near the French windows, which opened on to the terrace, possibly because the room was already warm. She smiled at Julia, and then turned to the elderly lady who had come to greet Lady Taunton, schooling herself to patience. In a little while she would excuse herself and join her own friends.