Free Kathryn Smith by A Seductive Offer Page A

the answer. He already felt a surge of unaccountable hatred for the man. The idea that he’d willingly sell Rachel to such a degenerate made him see red.
    “That’s the one. His estate’s a few miles north of here.” Gabe shook his head. “Never liked the man much myself. This just proves what an excellent judge of character I am.” This was said with just a hint of sarcasm. That was a habit that had started when the relationship with Lilith ended.
    “Naturally your good judgment made you decline,” Julian added, smiling at Brave.
    Gabriel snorted. “I never even bothered to acknowledge him with a reply. The cretin.”
    Brave managed a smile. It was good to see his friends. Very good. In fact, it felt just like old times. Too much like old times, because for the first time in two years, Brave had the overwhelming urge to stick his nose in where it didn’t belong—namely preventing Rachel from marrying a man who was little more than a whoremonger.
    “I find it odd that Charlton didn’t invite me to his gathering. Don’t you find that odd?”
    “What I find odd,” Gabriel replied, fixing him with a curious expression and eyes that looked too deep. “Is that you even care. I wouldn’t have thought this the kind of party you would care to attend.”
    A falsely bright smile lit Brave’s face. “But like you said, Gabe, I don’t get out enough. This might be a good place to start.”
    Gabriel and Julian exchanged puzzled glances.
    “Well, if you think so…” Julian’s bewildered tone trailed off into a shrug.
    “Excellent,” Brave enthused. Clapping his hands together, he wondered just how much of an impact on his quiet life Rachel Ashton was truly going to have. “When is it?”

Chapter 4
    “I t’s a little daring, don’t you think?” Rachel turned to the woman on her right.
    Belinda Mayhew, Rachel’s dearest—and only—friend, leaned in closer to study the fashion plate on the page before them. The thick mass of black ringlets circling her head obstructed Rachel’s view. “I think it’s lovely. Don’t you agree, Mrs. Ford?”
    Bending in from the left, Mrs. Ford nodded with great enthusiasm. “I think that dress in a shade of dark blue would be most becoming.”
    Unconvinced, Rachel peered between their heads at the print. It certainly was a lovely gown, even if the V-shaped neckline was lower than what she was accustomed to. Its style was simple and elegant, and most importantly, plain enough that Rachel could easily make it over with a few well-placed ruffles and ribbons. But…
    “Do I really need an evening gown?” She turned to Belinda.
    Belinda’s brown eyes widened. “Dearest, everyone needs at least one evening gown.”
    Rachel smiled, but she couldn’t help but wonder if Belinda didn’t know there were more important things in life than gowns and fashion. They’d been friends since childhood, having grown up just two miles from each other. They would have gone on to the local ladies’ academy together had Rachel’s circumstances not changed so drastically. Funny how her mother had actually married up but her consequences went down .
    While they had been born into similar situations, Belinda’s father was still alive and supporting his family. Belinda had a beautiful wardrobe filled with up-to-the minute fashions, and several successful London seasons spent studying what was fashionable. The fact that she was now engaged to a wealthy landowner from Derbyshire was the reason Rachel’s mother had suggested Rachel invite her friend to accompany her to Mrs. Ford’s.
    Glancing from Belinda’s encouraging countenance to Mrs. Ford’s hopeful one, Rachel knew she was outnumbered. It seemed like such a frivolous expense, but she had to admit, she really would like to own such a beautiful gown.
    “All right,” she said. “I’ll take it.”
    Belinda and Mrs. Ford beamed.
    Rachel had chosen her three gowns. All that was left was to choose the fabric. Bottle green muslin for