Free Dare to Love by Alleigh Burrows

gathered up the dusty clothes and closed the door behind him.
    Anticipating unpleasantness, Dare stretched out in a chair by the window to read the missive from his sister.
     
    Adair,
    While I am usually able to overlook your abhorrent behavior, this time I must protest. I urge you in the future to unleash your baser instincts on women raised for that sort of behavior. What business have you abusing my friends so callously?
    Poor Victoria has been widowed for a mere six months, as you well know. In her fragile state, you have no right to use her and then toss her aside. It is not as though she is that attractive and has any self esteem to begin with (although I would never admit so to her).
    Would it have been too much to ask her to join you at the Horsham’s affair? Now, I shall have to invite her to come to Shavely to restore her spirits. With her moping around, it is sure to be much less pleasant than I had hoped.
    I do not understand how you can be so selfish. Just because Miss Abbington broke your heart does not mean you should take it out on the entire female species. You do not have to be as cruel as father.
    Regards,
    Anne
     
    He threw down the letter in disgust. You do not have to be as cruel as father . As if that were even remotely possible. The devil himself could take notes from the marquess on ways to torment people.
    Picking up the letter again, another line caught his eye, further stoking his anger.
    Just because Miss Abbington broke your heart, does not mean you should take it out on the entire female species. As though Constance Abbington had any effect on his behavior! The idea was ludicrous.
    As for breaking his heart? Relieved was more the word. If anyone was suffering, no doubt it was she. She could have had a peer of the realm. And yet she threw him over for a peasant. The man had been a servant in the Abbington household, for God’s sake! He comes back from war with a mangled leg and a pathetic title, and suddenly the wench decided being a marchioness wasn’t good enough.
    He fumed as he paced the room.
    And now that William’s father had married Constance’s mother, he had to be polite and magnanimous whenever the woman was mentioned. If William hadn’t been such a good friend, he would not stand for it.
    Growling in frustration, Dare banged on his desk, causing the writing instruments to jump.
    He had expected the wedding party to be boring but tolerable. Instead, it was one irritant after another. He merely wanted to enjoy life with no baggage, no ridiculous delusions about love and family. That shouldn’t be too much to ask.
    At least he could set his sister straight. He dashed off a quick yet cutting response to her correspondence and slammed it on the desk, ready for the morning post.
    Vowing to make the best of it, he yanked on his jacket, took a large pinch of snuff, and headed down to do some serious drinking.
     

Chapter 10
    Pausing at the bottom of the stairs, Dare steeled himself. Before he could drown out his irritation, he must first suffer through another supper held before the sun was down. He would never get used to country hours. Still, he took his place at the table, bestowed a few witticisms on his companions, offered a few set-downs when necessary and, after a healthy serving of wine, began to feel more like himself.
    That is, until they finished their meal. He was almost through the doorway when Nivea stopped him with a touch of her hand. The warmth of her fingers penetrated the thin sleeve of his silk coat. Strange that he didn’t mind, as he didn’t particularly like to be touched—outside the bedroom.
    She looked up at him with an enchanting smile. “Lord Landis, thank you for delivering my luggage. I was afraid my clothes would not arrive in time for the wedding.”
    Her sweet expression made him feel strangely benevolent. “I am happy to have put your mind at ease, Miss Horsham. I regret I cannot take all the credit. In truth, it was my coachman who returned