Taming the Rake by Monica Mccarty

didn’t matter that his household seemed to be running more smoothly with the added servants. She had no right to meddle in his life.
    But Coventry did disagree with Simone in one respect: Lady Georgina’s glare was actually more of a glower. Her disapproval of his companion could not be clearer. It irritated him, but not for the reason he expected. Rather than remind him that she was precisely the type of judgmental society lady that he despised, her steady gaze fastened on them made him vaguely uncomfortable. He felt constricted—as if his jacket was too tight.
    There was something in her eyes that unsettled him. Something that made him feel like he was doing something wrong.
    Which of course was ludicrous.
    Lady Georgina was nothing to him. And this was exactly who he was. Let her not suffer under any false illusions. He was a man who drank, gambled, whored, and brought his lush, vividly beautiful mistress to the theater for all to see and admire.
    He didn’t know which was worse: standing next to a woman he could bed at will, but no longer desired, or being the focus of intense scrutiny by a woman he desired, but could not bed. Either way it was an untenable situation. One that he was anxious to have done.
    Which gave him an idea.
    He took Simone’s elbow and steered her on a sharp course toward his glowering foe. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
     
     
    Gina watched in horror as he approached, towing the cyprian along at his side. Surely, he wouldn’t do something so outrageous… would he?
    Not taking any chances, Gina turned and hurried up the stairs toward her father’s box. But the wretch caught up with her in the passageway.
    “Ah, Lady Georgina. What a charming coincidence.” His eyes teemed with an unspoken challenge.
    “Lord Coventry,” she said stiffly, refusing to acknowledge his companion, still hoping he would not do it. But her heart pounded in anticipation of what she knew was to come.
    “There is someone I would like you to meet. Lady Georgina Beauclerk, I believe I’ve mentioned Madame de Richelieu?”
    Humiliation and outrage flooded Gina’s cheeks with heat. Though most of the theater patrons had taken their seats, there were still a few people lingering in the corridor to witness Lord Coventry’s shocking offense of propriety.
    She did not trust herself to speak. How could he introduce his mistress to her? The man who just a few nights ago had taunted her with his darkly sensual magnetism was now flaunting his promiscuity in her face.
    Forced to acknowledge her, Gina turned to nod at his companion.
    Not that it was any comfort, but the other woman looked just as horrified as Gina.
    Gina fought to control the hot ball of tears that had lodged in her throat. She told herself it was an outrage, but she knew there was more to it than that. His callous disregard had hurt her.
    Whatever it was, it caused some of his confident swagger to slip. He looked like he wanted to say something, but Gina refused to give him the opportunity.
    Back ramrod straight Gina excused herself and quickly sought the refuge of her father’s box. How could he? She thought again, but this time with despair. Lord Coventry obviously had no respect for propriety or the good graces of society, nor had he any regard for her feelings and her pride. But what most shocked her was how much that lack of regard stung.
     
     
    Coventry felt like an ass. He’d allowed his feelings to get the better of his judgment. Uncomfortable with her silent condemnation, he’d reacted. Poorly. He realized that now, when he noticed the slight tremble of her lips, as she fought to contain the humiliation of being presented to his mistress.
    He wanted to say something, but instead he let her go, ignoring the unmistakable sense of loss. It was better this way.
    “Who is she?”
    He turned back to Simone, the flash of pain in her eyes only increased his discomfort.
    He’d been remiss. Simone had grown too attached. He should have ended