Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley Page A

your father’s footsteps.”
    â€œYou know everything about me. My life is an open book. I have no secrets.”
    She looked into his eyes. “Your
public
life is an open book. I know nothing about your private life. I’m willing to wager that you are a keeper of secrets, James—both your own and the secrets of others.”
    â€œPeople put their trust in me because I have learned
discretion
.” He wanted her to know that he would be discreet about their meeting today, and any future encounters she would allow. He could not blame her for being cautious. If the Earl of Westmorland provided her with a house, servants, and a generous clothing allowance, it would take a good deal of persuasion on his part to have her risk losing it all for a fleeting liaison.
    By the time the trifle arrived, she had eluded every invitation he suggested. “Perhaps the theater is too public a place to be seen together. I would be delighted if you would allow me to entertain you privately.”
    â€œAt Hampden House?”
    James threw back his head and laughed. “You have a sly wit. I no longer reside at the family home. I have a Georgian town house on the corner of White Horse Street.”
    â€œHow very convenient for you.”
    â€œYes, it is within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, if that’s what you mean.”
    â€œThat isn’t what I mean, as well you know.” She finished her trifle and set her linen napkin beside her plate. “I enjoyed dining with you, James Hamilton. I’m sorry to refuse your invitation to the theater this evening. If I find it possible to attend some time in the future, I will send a note to White Horse Street.”
    He threw her a rueful glance. “You expect me to be satisfied with that?”
    â€œNot for a moment, my lord.”
    She smiled and he believed that her eyes held a promise.
    â€œI really must go.” She pulled on her gloves.
    He simply couldn’t tolerate her leaving without a plan to see her again. Suddenly an idea came to him, and he leaned forward. “Could I tempt you with a masked ball?”
    Her green eyes sparkled. “Perhaps.”
    â€œMy sister Jane is holding her annual masquerade ball on November twenty-ninth. In a costume and mask you could be completely incognito.”
    â€œYou are speaking of the Countess of Dalkeith?”
    â€œYes. My sister Jane is married to the Earl of Dalkeith and the ball will be at Montagu House. Are you tempted?” James knew he should not invite this beautiful young courtesan to his sister’s ball, but he simply didn’t give a damn about what was appropriate at the moment.
    â€œI am tempted beyond belief,” she admitted. Only this morning she had received her invitation to the Dalkeith ball and had planned to attend with James’s sister Frances.
    â€œThen it’s settled.” He moved around the table to hold her fur while she slipped her arms into the sleeves. “I’ll pick you up in my carriage.”
    She shook her head. “I prefer to meet you there.”
    He breathed in her fragrance and longed to bury his face in the fiery glory of her hair. He had never kept a mistress, preferring instead casual liaisons, but for the first time he realized that with the right female, a long-term exclusive relationship would be extremely rewarding. He watched her walk to the lobby as he settled the bill, but when he left the dining room to retrieve his overcoat, she was nowhere in sight. He hurried out onto the street, but as he feared, the young beauty had made good her escape.

Chapter Six
    â€œA nne, I came to see if you got your invitation to the Dalkeiths’ masked ball? I asked my sister Jane to send you one.” Frances Hamilton handed her coat to the maid.
    â€œYes, thank you, it came in the post days ago. Come upstairs, I was just going through some picture books trying to get ideas for a costume.”
    â€œRiley, our