The Rake's Rebellious Lady by Anne Herries Page A

not,’ Caroline said. ‘I shall not tell her, and neither will you—so how will she know?’
    ‘Because everyone would talk of it,’ he replied and shook his head at her. ‘There would be a terrible scandal and you would be ruined. No, I shall not do such a thing. I do not think you have considered the consequences.’ He gave her a severe look. ‘This is foolish in the extreme.’
    ‘But you know that paying a gambling debt is a matter of honour,’ Caroline said, tipping her head to one side. Her eyes were bright with devilment; though in her heart she did not particularly wish to see the fight, she was determined to get her own way. He could not wriggle out of it, because his sense of fair play would not allow it. ‘And there is a solution…if I came dressed in a youth’s clothes and hid my hair, everyone would think I was your groom.’
    ‘I do not believe that you dare,’ Freddie said, but there was a sudden gleam in his eyes. The plan could just work. Her boldness amused him, and he found the idea appealed to him, against his better nature. Indeed, the idea was so intriguing that he decided to see if she would actually dare to carry it out. ‘How would you slip away—and where would you get the clothes?’
    ‘I imagine the fight is to be held early in the morning? I could slip out and perhaps return before my aunt had risen.’
    ‘Yes, I dare say…’ Freddie was caught—this was beyond anything he had expected from her and he was tempted to see just how far she would go. ‘Of course, I could give a parcel of clothes to your maid, if you truly wish to go through with this—but think carefully. Supposing you were discovered?’ He raised his brows at her.
    ‘Both Mama and my aunt scarcely ever rise much before noon. I dare say we might be back home before then.’
    Freddie gazed at her doubtfully. It was madness and he knew that he should refuse, but he had always paid his gambling debts… No, no, that was merely an excuse. He could not wrap this in clean linen. In truth he was tempted by the prospect of discovering whether she was really as bold as she claimed.
    ‘If you gave your maid some of your own clothes for me, it might work,’ he said. ‘You may change back into them after we have left the fight, and then go home as if we have merely been for a drive together…if you truly wish to take the risk?’ His eyes were intent on her face.
    Caroline was on fire for the idea had appealed to her. It would be an adventure and she had been feeling restricted by her aunt’s constant grumbling, the need to behave circumspectly at all times. ‘If the clothes are suitable for a groom and I dirty my face, no one will even notice me.’
    ‘How will you slip out of the house?’
    ‘Oh, I shall manage it,’ Caroline said. ‘I have done it before…at home in the country. It may not be quite as easy in town, but I dare say I can manage it.’
    ‘Very well,’ Freddie said. ‘We shall make another wager, Miss Holbrook. If you play your part I shall take you to the fight, but if you change your mind you will owe me a forfeit.’
    ‘I think you will owe me yet another forfeit,’ Caroline said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Her head was up, her face alight as she challenged him. He thought her more lovely than he had yet seen her. ‘I shall be there—and you must be on time, sir. I do not wish to miss anything.’
    Freddie laughed, for she was undoubtedly a temptress. Would it be possible to take her to such an event and return her to her home with no one the wiser? That, of course, was his responsibility and he would certainly find it a challenge.
    ‘I dare say you attend the ball on Monday evening?’ She nodded. ‘You may oversleep and forget the fight if you wish. I should not blame you.’
    ‘You will not win your forfeit so easily,’ she said, her facealight with excitement. ‘We shall talk about this again, sir—but now you must pull over, for I see some friends and we must not