To Refuse a Rake by Kristin Vayden

Author:Kristin Vayden [Vayden, Kristin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Regency, England, Historical Romance
Goodreads: 18176416
Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing
Published: 2013-07-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

As the weekend of Lady Linden’s house party approached, Emma began to reconsider her acceptance of Lord Daventry’s invitation. It had been over a week since their last intimate conversation in which she had called anyone who fell in love a fool. Did she truly believe that? She was growing more and more unsure. Especially since Hudson hadn’t called on her, but had rather taken to sending her letters. Love letters.

The first missive had arrived the evening after their tense conversation. Emma had been quite nervous to open it. Inside only a few lines had been scrawled across the page, but they were delivered with a powerful declaration.

Thank you for a lovely walk. Your presence livens the very air.—A fool.

So much had been conveyed in that simple note. For him to close his missive with the very condemnation she had spoken of was truly humbling. What was it like to be so fearless? How could Hudson not be afraid of her rejection? Certainly she had implied it repeatedly, yet he persisted with little encouragement. Surely any other suitor would have turned to an easier target by now.

A new missive had arrived each day. In it he articulated a trait he admired about her and then why. And always signing it – A fool. By now Emma was miserable. Her newly reinforced convictions of a week ago were weaker than ever. After all, Hudson had clearly made it known that he was willing to take a risk and be a fool, in her words. Truly he was convinced that she was worth the risk! But, why? What possible motivation could he have? Or was love truly that compelling?

She resolved to find out. If Hudson could willingly call himself a fool, knowing full well that his chances of rejection were high, then she would test the waters. If she were right in her convictions, this would surely solidify them beyond any sort of temptation, but if she were wrong… then maybe it would be worth the risk.

The morning of Lady Linden’s house party, Emma paced incessantly across the parlor floor as she waited for the carriage to be prepared.

“You’re about to wear a hole through the carpet, you know.” Sadie spoke with a snicker as she walked into the parlor with light and excited steps.

“I doubt it,” Emma retorted but stopped her pacing.

“Why are you so nervous? It’s not as if this is the only house party we’ve attended,” Sadie said as she sat on the settee and began to smooth her skirt.

“No, but Lord Daventry will be there and—”

“And you’re afraid he’ll seduce you? Or afraid he won’t?” Sadie asked with a wicked tilt of her lips.

“Sadie! “ Emma shouted and placed her hands on her hips in a scolding fashion. “Of all the things to say!” Emma tried to keep a straight face but her lips tilted into a grin at her sister’s unrepentant smile.

“It wouldn’t be too terrible you know… at least then you could easily convince yourself that your marriage to him was out of necessity rather than because you actually fell in love.

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