Page 4 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

Evan probably would have choked too, had he not swallowed his sip before Harrington’s declaration.

“I know not if he forces himself on them. However, he does manipulate and blackmail, and wields his title and power. What I do know is that my Aunt Justine found a young shopgirl, homeless and starving. Greyson impregnated her and would have nothing to do with her. He then made sure the poor girl lost her job and was shunned by everyone. My aunt helped her find a new position and a home far away from Greyson. Not that he is liked by many.” Harrington shuddered. “There are moments when I believe my sister-in-law’s attempts to hold the upper class and nobility accountable for their actions is noble indeed.”

Greyson was a blemish on all aristocrats. On all men.

Georgiana was truly a force, and Evan was proud to have her as his sister. What would she do to a man who left a pregnant woman in the streets, without shelter or food? Surely, she’d remove his bullocks. Make that his cock and his bullocks.

More importantly, what would he do if one of his lovers ended up in dire straits?

Evan may love bedding women, but he would never leave one homeless or do anything to destroy her reputation. If he was the responsible party, he’d take care of a woman, and a child. Wouldn’t he? He rubbed at a sharp pain in his temple.

“I suppose we have been away for too long,” Harrington said. “We’d better return to the ballroom.”

Although Evan loved the excitement of being with the other guests, after that shocking declaration, he was content to sit with his old friends for the moment. He waved a dismissive hand. “We’ve only been gone a few minutes.”

Harrington peered at the clock on the mantle. “’Tis a quarter past midnight. We’ve been gone for almost ten minutes.”

“Bloody hell.” Evan shoved himself back into his mask and leaped from his chair. As usual, he’d lost track of time. “I will talk to you in the morning. I must be somewhere.”

Harrington quirked a brow. “Please stay away from the married women. We don’t need any duels at dawn.”

Was his mystery woman married? As aggressive as she’d been, probably not. Evan raced toward the door.

“And stay away from my sister, Katrina,” Harrington hollered to his back. “William won’t be the only one to kick your arse if you touch her.”

After a long-standing feud with the duke, which began the second they met almost twelve years ago at the Bedford dormitory, and exploded after Evan threatened to cut off Astleyshire’s bullocks for bedding Georgiana, Evan’s brother-in-law would love an excuse to stab him in the heart.

“Remember, stay away from Lady Katrina,” Springy said.

Did Wellspring have designs on the Harringtons’ sister? Interesting, because Evan would have sworn his mate had no interest in women.

“Fine,” Evan called over his shoulder.

He was in no danger of meeting up with her. Everyone knew the beautiful and proper Katrina Harrington did not proposition masked men in dark corners. Besides his chit was fair. The Harringtons were dark-haired.

Come to think of it, Katrina had been a pretty little blonde the time he’d plunked a frog in her tea. She’d screamed and spilled her drink down the front of her dress. He’d been eleven at the time and hadn’t quite mastered flirting. But the last time he’d seen her, he’d been seventeen and quite skilled at the art. He’d been charming, but when he asked her to dance, she’d given him the deliberate cut, turning on her heel and walking away without so much as an eyeroll.

Nay, there was no danger of his mystery rendezvous being with Katrina Harrington.

He grabbed one of the candles from the garden, then sprinted across the back lawn of Harrington’s estate.

“Hmm?” Evan murmured as he approached the rose trellis.

He’d thought her hair was one shade darker, and her features were more delicate than he remembered. Perhaps their masks, the shadows in the alcove, and the moonlight and candle played tricks on his eyes. She looked quite seraphic and innocent, lying in the grass, sound asleep. Way too angelic for him to pounce upon her and do the indecent things she’d whispered in his ear less than an hour ago.

Bloody hell. Why did he arrive late for everything? Now, he’d have to wake her gently so as to not startle her. And he didn’t even know her name. There had to be at least six dozen aristocratic women and wealthy heiresses visiting Brighton for the summer holiday, and she could be any one of them. Hopefully, she hadn’t partaken of too much claret or punch. He preferred women to remember making love to him.

He set down the candle and dropped to her side.

As her bosom rose and fell, gentle breaths escaped through slightly parted lips. It seemed so wrong to wake her, but he couldn’t let her sleep there overnight.

He ran a finger over her cheek. Good Lord, her skin was soft. Was it his imagination that her lips shifted into a subtle smile? He retraced the same path, trailing a caress from her ear to her chin. She puckered her lips as she snuggled against his knee.

Ha! The chit was having lascivious dreams about him.

He gently bonked her adorable nose. She stirred and brushed his hand away.

“Wake up, Luv,” he said in his most seductive baritone. This time, he tapped her perfectly shaped lips, lingering momentarily to enjoy how soft and supple they were. Oh, to take a plump lip into his mouth and nibble.