Free The Rake and the Wallflower by Allison Lane Page B

another of her rivals.
    “Puppy,” murmured Mary in disgust. Sir Randall was eighteen and had already joined and abandoned four courts this Season. Why Laura craved the fulsome fawning of such cubs was beyond her comprehension.
    “He is charming. Even Lord Whitehaven danced the last set with me.”
    Mary snorted. “Since he dances only with misfits, one must ask what you did to draw his attention.”
    “That is not—” began Catherine.
    Laura ignored her. “That may be why he danced with you, but having done his duty to propriety, he is now able to seek his own pleasure. And I am his pleasure. I could see it in his eyes. He was smitten by my beauty.” She sighed dreamily.
    “That makes no difference,” declared Catherine. “His—”
    “You said exactly the same thing about Blake,” Mary interrupted. “And Kevin Fields and John Drummond. But it was never true.”
    “How dare—”
    “Stop this, both of you,” ordered Catherine. “There is no point in arguing over Whitehaven, for Cromley would never allow his heir to wed you, Laura, no matter how great your beauty. He will accept no one below an earl’s daughter and would approve that only with a fortune in settlements.”
    Laura sputtered.
    Mary nodded agreement. “You know that he treats every partner as though she were Helen of Troy. It’s part of his charm, but it means nothing.”
    “How would you know?” demanded Laura nastily. “No man would look twice at you. Why else do you hide at every opportunity? Not that I’m complaining. Your antics embarrass us all.”
    “Laura!” Catherine had not sounded so furious since the day she’d caught fourteen-year-old Laura embracing a groom, her gown open to the waist.
    “What? Must I pretend she makes us proud? I’m tired of having people commiserate with me every time she mortifies us. You know their real purpose is to gloat at my discomfort. Too many of them expect me to be as gauche and untutored as she. I’ve lost three suitors to her insolence. And others stay away because they are afraid to ally themselves with a family that includes her. She’s ruining my Season. It’s not fair!”
    “You will apologize at once,” ordered Catherine. “If you’ve lost suitors, blame your own insufferable arrogance. You talk only of yourself and pit admirers against one another, insulting any who annoy you. No gentleman likes acting the fool, so it is no surprise that the more discerning ones avoid you.” She continued over Laura’s protest. “Yes, avoid you. Like Mr. Hawthorne. He cannot tolerate your vanity. And men aren’t the only ones you irritate. Lady Oxbridge complained that you cut her daughter just because Lord Seaton asked her to dance. And if Lady Wilkins were a man, she would have called you out for insulting her. Instead of criticizing Mary, you should consider your own behavior.”
    Laura’s face mottled, but the carriage drew to a halt, forestalling any retort.
    Mary escaped into Rockhurst House, hoping to reach her room without further argument. Laura was in a strange humor tonight. She had achieved triumphs that would delight most girls, yet she was furious because they weren’t bigger. Grayson’s words suddenly seemed ominous. She is the sort who is never satisfied with what she has.
    He was astute. She had noticed the problem before, though she’d not put it quite so succinctly. Laura was beautiful, but there was a devil deep in her soul that reared up whenever a dream shattered. It had done so eighteen months ago when scandal heaped censure on all Seabrooks. Mary feared it was happening again. London was the biggest dream yet, but the reality could never match Laura’s fantasy.
    Laura had always expected a triumphant London Season. Through all the delays, she had honed those expectations, building London into a modern Mount Olympus that offered glamour, excitement, dashing men, dazzling ladies, and adventure beyond imagining. Her dream always ended with her sailing away to