Taming the Rake by Monica McCarty

Author:Monica McCarty [McCarty, Monica]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Buccaneer Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

A knot of dread tightening in her gut, Gina approached her father’s study with burgeoning trepidation. She paused at the door for a minute, took a deep breath, then finally knocked. On her father’s command, she entered.

“You wished to see me, Father.”

He was seated behind his desk. Unfortunately, he was not alone. Confirming her suspicions of a child, her stepmother sat across from him with her hands folded primly in her lap.

“Yes, sit down, Georgina.” He waved her in, motioning for her to take a seat next to the duchess. “The duchess and I have something that we would like to discuss with you.” When neither would meet her eye, her unease increased twofold.

Gina’s heart raced. Here it was. The moment she’d been waiting for and dreading at the same time. The moment that she would be forever replaced in her father’s affections. She told herself not to be ridiculous, but the petty fear would not go away.

The duke cleared his throat. “It’s about your recent trip to Newmarket.”

What? Not a baby? Relief coursed over her. Gina despised herself for her jealousy. She knew how badly her father—like every man—wanted a son, an heir. But she also knew that with a new baby their closeness would never be the same. Look what had happened when he’d married.

The duke continued unaware of her relief. “Why didn’t you tell us that Lord Coventry was staying at Greenbrook?”

Her heart sank. Trepidation returned, but this time it was ladened with guilt. “But, how…?”

“Lady Darby mentioned something at dinner last night.” The duchess spoke for the first time.

The jealous old harpy. Lady Darby had suspected something, Gina had been sure of it. But she hadn’t realized the ramifications. Nor had she anticipated that Lady Darby would mention something to her father.

He continued. “I thought I’d made my position on Lord Coventry absolutely clear. With his reputation, he is not a man I would approve of as a suitor for my daughter. You deliberately lied to us about his presence at Greenbrook.”

Shamefaced, Gina didn’t know what to say. He was right. She had no excuse. She couldn’t tell him why. “We were well chaperoned.”

“That is hardly an excuse. But you are fortunate that I am acquainted with Lady Eudora—I mean, Mrs. Persimmons—otherwise I would be demanding something entirely different. As it is, I am very disappointed in you, Georgina. I thought better of you.”

Gina felt ill. She loved her father; she hated to think that she’d failed him. But she had. Tears sprang to her eyes, and a hot knot lodged in the back of her throat. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I.” He looked to the duchess. “Perhaps I’ve been too lax with you. I felt guilty for you having to grow up without a mother, but I think I’ve done you a grave injustice. By now you should have a home and children of your own.”

“But I’ve been happy living with you.”

His eyes softened. “And I you, Gina. Don’t think I don’t appreciate how well you managed things around here.

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