Free A Lady's Guide to Rakes by Kathryn Caskie Page B

There has to be a reason.”
    “Oh, there is, there is.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Word is that his father is ailing, and Lord Lansing is due to inherit the earldom very, very soon. This, I believe, is the reason for his sudden change in behavior.”
    Chillton nodded his head as he listened. “Makes sense. If he isn’t just having everyone on.”
    “I am certain his change is true. In fact, it has been rumored that he is looking for a wife.” Why, that sounded jolly good. So good that she almost believed her own words.
    “A wife? And he’s got plenty of money, you say?”
    Meredith nodded as Chillton’s gaze drifted to his sister, and a slow smile turned his lips.
    “Miss Merriweather, do you think Lansing might fancy my dear sister, Hannah? I own, it would be a weight from my shoulders to see her wed, what with her always getting up to some mischief or another. And though the man does sport a bit of a reputation, he is quite well-off, if I have heard correctly.” He tapped the tip of his tongue to his upper lip as he pinned Meredith with his questioning gaze.
    “I… believe he does stand to inherit a goodly f-for-tune,” Meredith stammered.
    “A man of fortune, and obvious breeding… Why, I am convinced all he needs is the influence of a good woman, like my Hannah, for instance, to prevent him from any possible moral lapse.”
    Dear Lord. If Chillton thought he stood even a chance of matching his sister with the worldly Lord Lansing, he was utterly mad. From the corner of Meredith’s eye, she saw Lord Lansing step over the threshold into the music room, carrying a brandy and a sherry in his hands. Her chest constricted.
    Still, she had to separate the two men and this oddball scheme of Chillton’s provided just the means.
    “Dear Mr. Chillton,” Meredith said brightly, “I shall make it my mission to learn just that this eve.” She turned her gaze toward the door. Perdition, the rake was nearly upon them! “Best leave me alone with him, though, for I do not believe he will share any information with me if you are at my side.”
    “You are good, Miss Merriweather. Very, very good .” He licked his lips as he seemed to study her just a moment overlong. “I thank you for your assistance in this matter, and shan’t forget your willingness to do my bidding.”
    “You are very welcome, sir, but you must go. Hurry along now.”
    Meredith spun around just as the rake reached her side.
    “Why, thank you, my lord. You are too kind.”
    “Please, Miss Merriweather, do call me Alexander. All my lady friends do.”
    Did he just say—no, surely not. Oh Lord, he did! He actually likened her to one of his actress friends! Meredith struggled to prevent the shock from contorting her features.
    “I shall not, Lord Lansing. I… I mean my betrothed would find such familiarity inappropriate.”
    The rake glanced about the room until he spotted Chillton. “So is that the man?”
    “My lord?” Of course, she knew he was asking if Chillton was her betrothed, though it made her head twirl just to think about answering.
    “That gentleman over there. The one conversing with our delightful songstress.”
    She had no choice now but to follow his gaze to where Chillton stood. “Oh yes. I see who you mean now.”
    The rake lifted a single brow. “And?”
    Meredith swallowed deeply. Lud, he’d forced her into a corner. “Y-yes. That is he—Mr. Chillton.”
    At her reply, the strangest look of disappointment came over his face— Alexander’s face.
    Oh, she’d never speak his Christian name, though it could not hurt to think of him that way, could it? After all, he looked much more like an Alexander than a Lansing, anyway.
    His gaze studied Chillton for several long moments before he spoke again. “My dear, I fear he is not the one for you.”
    “Whatever can you mean? We are perfectly suited. Everyone agrees.”
    “That I seriously doubt. Just look at the man.” He inclined his