Free Saved by a Rake by Em Taylor Page A

exciting.
    Even if he was to shun her now, she would always think fondly of his behaviour towards her wh en she was at her lowest point.
    ****
    “Lady Rebecca, would you like to take a stroll with me?” Lord Ramsey turned to her and smiled. His features looked soft in the candlelight, making her heart thud like a horse’s hooves in her chest.
    “ That would be lovely,” she replied. Now she would have the chance to see the avenues lit by coloured lamps which were strung from the trees. Vauxhall surely was the most romantic place she had ever visited. When he placed her hand on his arm, her breath hitched.
    He nodded in the direction they would walk , and she fell into step beside him. It was a cool evening, but her dark green Spencer staved off the chill, as did the warmth that filled her insides every time she was close to him.
    He asked about the entertainments she had attended in the past few days and she was able to describe the play she had attended at the theatre the previous night. She did not tell him about the cut she received from a number of ladies or the icy civility with which she was met in the company of the Duchess of Overtown.
    They were still walking along the main path filled with all manner of groups and individuals. She noticed a lady with very bright clothes and makeup which reminded Rebecca of a painted doll. A gentleman approached her, spoke to her for a few moments, then led her down a less well lit path. Did that make the woman a courtesan? Rebecca looked up at Lord Ramsey, but he seemed not to have noticed. He seemed absorbed in his own thoughts.
    Suddenly he stopped, let go of her arm and turned to her. Panic seized her. Was he going to draw her down some narrow path? Was he going to do to her what the earl had done? She looked around and noticed her parents still behind them, walking extremely slowly.
    “ Lady Rebecca,” he breathed.
    “ Lord Ramsey.” He did not look as though he was about to pounce. In fact, if anything, he looked boyish and nervous.
    “ It would honour me if you would address me by my given name—Daniel.” She had never called Newthorpe by his given name.
    “ Then please, call me Rebecca.”
    “ Thank you. I am honoured indeed. I have a very high regard for you L...Rebecca. Not only are you the sister of my best friend, but when I have found myself in your company these past few weeks, I have been delighted and charmed by you. We seem to rub along quite well together, and I wondered if you would do me the honour of consenting to become my wife.”
    That knocked the wind out of her sails. The warmth of a blush began its ascent up her neck.
    “Daniel, I am flattered and I am not sure how to respond.”
    “ I am sorry. I had no plans to ask you tonight. But I am afraid I am somewhat on a time limit. My father would dearly like me to marry before he dies, and he is very sick now. I would like very much to honour his wish. I fear I am not a particularly romantic gentleman, but I am honourable and faithful to those for whom I care. And I plan to care very much for my chosen wife.”
    He may claim not to be romantic, but to Rebecca ’s ears, it was the sweetest and most romantic speech she had ever heard. She wanted to say yes. Of course she did. He was handsome and kind and he had fought for her honour. When they had arrived in the boat at Vauxhall, she had seen the yellow tinge around his eye from the healing bruise and had been filled with admiration and gratitude.
    But she could not allow him to marry her. He would be expecting an innocent and when she did not bleed on her wedding night, he would know and feel tricked. Their marriage would be a sham. Or perhaps he would even be allowed to get an annulment based on her withholding the truth from him. Could he do that? She really had no idea.
    “ Oh Daniel, please accept my condolences on your father’s illness. But I fear I am not a suitable marriage partner for you. You may have heard some of the rumours and