Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley Page A

where my brother gets his name.” Anne gave her friend a quizzical glance. “Frances, do you
really
have a list?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œWho are on this list?” Anne asked with amused curiosity.
    â€œAll the nobles who are first sons.”
    â€œIsn’t that rather mercenary?”
    â€œOh, it’s not the wealth, it is the title that is important. Since my sister Harry is the Countess of Lichfield, Trixy is Countess of Durham, and Jane is Countess of Dalkeith, I cannot let them outdo me.”
    â€œThen poor Montagu doesn’t stand a chance?”
    â€œHe’s an eighth son! I don’t dare lose my heart to him.”
    â€œHow on earth can you control your heart? I’m sure I couldn’t, nor would I want to.”
    â€œAh, but you have a passionate nature, Anne. I am more practical. My head will rule my emotions. I shall map out a plan and follow it.”
    â€œWhile I shall be swept away by a grand passion!” Anne declared dramatically. “And every woman in London will envy me.”
    â€œI certainly shall,” Lady Florence bemoaned. “My parents are urging me to make a match with young Henry Chaplin. I won’t get to choose.”
    â€œThe viscount is heir to a fortune,” Frances pointed out.
    It tugged at Anne’s heartstrings that her friend Florence would be pushed into an arranged marriage, and she tried her best to take the sting out of it. “Yes, Viscount Chaplin will inherit a great deal of land. Some in Lincolnshire, and some in Leicestershire that runs parallel to my father’s country estate,” Anne assured her.
    Florence sighed. “I shouldn’t complain. Most marriages are arranged.”
    Mine won’t be arranged,
Anne vowed passionately.
I shall choose my own husband!
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    John Claud Hamilton waited impatiently for Lady Anne to return to the ballroom. She had danced continually with one eligible bachelor after another, and he decided he’d waited long enough. He crossed the floor and stopped before her. “I would like the pleasure of this dance, Lady Anne.”
    â€œI believe I promised it to John Beresford, my lord.” Anne looked at her dance card to make sure.
    â€œLet me see.” He captured her wrist and untied the ribbon that held her dance card. He glanced at it, pretended to read it, then tore it into pieces.
    She was amused by his audacity and when the orchestra began to play, she moved into his waiting arms. In contrast to the lively quadrilles and cotillions played earlier, waltz music now filled the air. The slow, sweeping movements of the dance made her feel languid. Anne had the sensation that she was floating and she closed her eyes, allowing the romantic music to flow about her.
    Her heart began to beat in time to the music, and she imagined that she was dancing with James Hamilton. His arms tightened about her and she felt him draw her close. With her eyelids lowered, she conjured his dark image and was mesmerized by his closeness. As he bent his head toward her, she shivered with anticipation and opened her lips in invitation. When his mouth touched hers, her eyelashes fluttered, and she whispered his name with longing. “James.”
    She raised her lashes and gazed into the fierce eyes of John Claud. She realized immediately what she had done, and knew she must say something.
    â€œHow dare you kiss me?”
    â€œHow dare you mistake me for my profligate brother?”
    â€œI did no such thing. I simply said his name to punish you.”
    He smiled to cover his fury. “You are a beautiful little liar!”
    â€œWhat about
your
lies?”
    â€œMine?”
    â€œYou call your brother profligate with an unsavory reputation.”
    He rolled his eyes. “You have no idea, my innocent.”
    â€œWhat makes you think I’m innocent?”
    His mouth curved. “Because that was your very first