her, she had reached another, far more troubling conclusion.
She had unintentionally mixed her list into the pages of her pamphlet for the Lady’s Suffrage Society. And she had given it to the odious, sinfully handsome, utterly self-absorbed rake who owned the publisher that was now printing all the society’s pamphlets.
Those seven words written in his arrogant hand, burning a veritable hole of shame through her reticule, confirmed it. Of all the people to whom she could have unintentionally given her list, why, oh why did it have to be him?
She detested him and men of his ilk.
Mr. Elijah Decker was rather like a whore. A gentleman whore.
Only, he was no gentleman.
“What is it, Macfie?” growled Mr. Decker from somewhere within his office, sounding irritated. “I thought I told you not to interrupt me for the next bloody hour.”
“Forgive me, sir, but you have a visitor,” Mr. Macfie offered. “Lady Josephine Danvers.”
Jo clutched her reticule so tightly her knuckles ached. Less than a minute to attempt to compose herself before she had to face him. She inhaled. Told herself she would be firm. That she would not show him even a modicum of embarrassment. She would demand he return the list. She would require his silence.
Mr. Macfie turned to her. “He is ready for you now, milady.”
She thanked him and reluctantly moved into Mr. Decker’s lair. Mr. Macfie snapped the door closed with more force than necessary, making Jo jump.
Mr. Decker rose to his full, imposing height, his impossibly blue stare upon her. “Forgive Macfie. He does not know his own strength.”
She stared at Mr. Decker, trying to make sense of what he had just said. She blinked. No words were forthcoming. Her heart was pounding so loudly, she was certain Mr. Decker could hear it.
“The slamming of the door, my lady,” Mr. Decker elaborated, raising a knowing brow.
Her ears felt as if they were on fire. “Of course. Mr. Macfie is forgiven. You, however, are not. Where is my list?”
Clasping his hands behind his back, Mr. Decker sauntered toward her. “I do not recall asking for your forgiveness, my dear.”
She stiffened. “I am not your dear, and you failed to answer my question. Where is my list?”
He stopped before her, insufferably handsome. “Which list are you referring to, Lady Jo?”
The blighter.
He was toying with her. She would wager her dowry upon it.
“You know very well,” she charged.
“Hmm.” He tapped the fullness of his lower lip with his forefinger, as if he were thinking. “I think you may have to give me a hint. What did it say, this list of yours?”
Her cheeks were scalding. “You know what it says.”
“Do I?” He grinned, like the devil he was.
She had no doubt he had read every word she had written. Every shocking thing she had drafted thus far after seizing upon her plan to live her life and experience true passion the way everyone else around her was. Her sister was blissfully married. Her dearest friend was happily wed and wildly in love.
And yet, Jo had never even been kissed.
“Yes,” she hissed. “You do.”
“I am afraid my memory is dreadfully faulty. Remind me, my lady.” His voice was low. Teasing. Taunting.
Daring.
He did not think she had the audacity to say it, she realized.
Jo kept her gaze trained unwaveringly upon him. “Ways…”
She faltered.
“Ways,” he prompted, his stare dipping to her lips.
“Ways to be wicked,” she blurted.
“Oh, yes. That list. Now I recall.” The grin he gave her was sin in its purest, most tempting form.
Curse him.
And curse the curious flutter that started in her belly and slid lower, pooling between her thighs.
Jo was doomed.
Want more? Get Lady Wallflower here!
Don’t miss Scarlett’s other romances!
(Listed by Series)
Complete Book List
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Heart’s Temptation
A Mad Passion (Book One)
Rebel Love (Book Two)
Reckless Need (Book Three)
Sweet Scandal (Book Four)
Restless Rake (Book Five)
Darling Duke (Book Six)
The Night Before Scandal (Book Seven)
Wicked Husbands
Her Errant Earl (Book One)
Her Lovestruck Lord (Book Two)
Her Reformed Rake (Book Three)
Her Deceptive Duke (Book Four)
Her Missing Marquess (Book Five)
Her Virtuous Viscount (Book Six)
League of Dukes
Nobody’s Duke (Book One)
Heartless Duke (Book Two)
Dangerous Duke (Book Three)
Shameless Duke (Book Four)
Scandalous Duke (Book Five)
Fearless Duke (Book Six)
Notorious Ladies of London
Lady Ruthless (Book One)
Lady Wallflower (Book Two)
Sins and Scoundrels
Duke of Depravity (Book One)
Prince of Persuasion (Book Two)
Marquess of Mayhem (Book Three)
Earl of Every Sin (Book Four)
Duke of Debauchery (Book Five)
The Wicked Winters
Wicked in Winter (Book One)
Wedded in Winter (Book Two)
Wanton in Winter (Book Three)
Willful in Winter (Book Four)
Wagered in Winter (Book Five)
Wild in Winter (Book Six)
Wishes in Winter (Book 3.5)
Stand-alone Novella
Lord of Pirates
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Love’s Second Chance
Reprieve (Book One)
Perfect Persuasion (Book Two)
Win My Love (Book Three)
Coastal Heat
Loved Up (Book One)
About the Author
USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Scarlett Scott writes steamy Victorian and Regency romance with strong, intelligent heroines and sexy alpha heroes. She lives in Pennsylvania with her Canadian husband, adorable identical twins, and one TV-loving dog.
A self-professed literary junkie and nerd, she loves reading anything, but especially romance novels, poetry, and Middle English verse. Catch up with her on her website www.scarlettscottauthor.com. Hearing from readers never fails to make her day.
Scarlett’s complete book list and information about upcoming releases can be found at www.scarlettscottauthor.com.
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Lady Ruthless
Notorious Ladies of London Book 1
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2020 by Scarlett Scott
Published by Happily Ever After Books, LLC
Kindle Edition
Edited by Grace Bradley
Cover Design by Wicked Smart Designs
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is punishable by law.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events, or locales, is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
For more information, contact author Scarlett Scott.