Free The Rules of Seduction by Madeline Hunter Page B

you about Benjamin,” she said as they entered the library. “I hope that someday you will favor me with some stories about his time in Greece or from his youth.”
    “Certainly, Miss Welbourne.”
    A little stage setting waited for them in the library. Two low columns flanked a blue cloth strewn on the floor. A white cloth hung behind it, tied to the bookcases. The backdrop showed a painted hill and columned temple.
    Lady Wallingford stood to the side. She bade them sit on two chairs that had been arranged in front of the blue cloth.
    She clapped for attention. Another clap and the diversion began.
    Caroline emerged from behind the backdrop. She wore a costume with an ancient Greek flavor. It left her arms bare and her ankles visible and showed too much skin at her neck and chest. Mama had done up her hair in a very mature style and even dabbed a bit of paint here and there on her young face.
    Caroline appeared very pretty, very grown up, and close to scandalous.
    Alexia slid Lord Hayden a sidelong look, to see his reaction. She caught him sliding one to her at the same time.
    “And here I thought you had them well in hand, Miss Welbourne,” he whispered. “It appears my aunt does not intend to wait until June before frying me.”
    Lady Wallingford’s pretty bait took her position between the two columns and began to recite a passage from the
Iliad.

CHAPTER
FIVE

    G arbed in an old dress and wrapped in a long wool shawl, Alexia retreated to the library. She built up the fire, laid on the nearby sofa, and propped an open book on her stomach.
    Silence. Freedom. A toasty fire and hours of privacy. She closed her eyes and savored the sensation of returning to a world she knew well. The rain gently pattering on the windows only made it better.
    It had been brilliant to ask Lord Hayden for the free day every week. Bold too. She never expected to get it and was amazed when he capitulated. Perhaps he did feel a little guilty about the Longworths. There was no other explanation.
    That was a mark in his favor, but she did not waste time examining his character. She planned to thoroughly enjoy these hours without Lady Wallingford and Caroline and especially Lord Hayden himself. He always seemed underfoot, visiting by day or dining by night. The man was young, unmarried, and rich. Surely he had better things to do than attend on his aunt.
    She smiled to herself. Undoubtedly he did. However, his aunt possessed an uncanny ability to require his attendance, and he lacked the skill to escape her machinations. Alexia suspected the fish analogy had been inappropriate. Rothwell was not being lured. Henrietta had fixed a ring through his nose and was slowly, inexorably, leading him to the slaughter.
    She giggled at the image. As a Minotaur plodded at the end of Henrietta’s tether, however, the fantasy transformed. She suddenly saw him standing beside young Caroline in a church.
    Her mirth died away and she examined the picture in her head. It would not be a love match. She doubted he had any romance in him. Caroline would think it one, however, because she was young and awed. By the time that illusion faded, they would have accommodated each other enough. Caroline would have what most women sought—security and support and hopefully kindness.
    The picture changed again, and Rothwell no longer stood in that church. Benjamin did. She no longer watched from above but stood at his side. For an instant, joy filled her as if it were real.
    She pushed the image from her head with wistful regret. Life did not always work out as one wanted. Sometimes one had to make do with less than one’s dreams.
    The book beckoned. Normally she would read Scott in her room, where no one could see. It was not the sort of serious literature that a governess would enjoy. It had not been included in the list she had given Caroline as part of her lessons.
    Wrapped and cozy, she allowed herself the temporary liberation of living in a world of dashing men and