A Little Bit Scandalous Page 0,1

That’s what a guardian should say, he supposed. She would make some man a good wife. She was smart, smarter than most women, he’d wager. And she was attractive, congenial, the sort of thing most men looked for in a wife. “I could speak to him on your behalf, if you’d like.” Christopher would want Caroline married to a good man, not simply a good match, but a man who would treat her the way she deserved to be treated.

She chuckled awkwardly, then crossed the room to him. “That might be difficult as it is you.” She sat next to him and gathered his hands in hers.

“I beg your pardon?”

“You, Monroe. I wish to marry you.” She brought his hand to her lips and pressed a sweet kiss to his flesh. “I would make you a good duchess. I know that my lineage isn’t as perfect as some, but I more than make up for that with my mind.” When he didn’t immediately respond, she continued. “I realize you probably do not have tender feelings for me, but you could in time. Or I shall love enough for the both of us.”

She loved him.

He swore. Damned if he wasn’t tempted. Convention said he should marry and produce an heir for his title. He’d not been inclined to do that anytime soon. Caroline was beautiful and seductive in the most innocent of ways, but he wasn’t thinking marriage, he was thinking of bedding her. Not the sort of thing he should be considering when he looked at her, his best friend’s sister. “Caroline, I cannot marry you. I am…we simply would not make a good match.”

She opened her mouth, then bit down on her lip. Silence. And then finally, “I see.” She exhaled slowly.

How had he never noticed that she fancied him? She’d never indicated as much during the time they’d spent together. He wanted to say more, to tell her that were he anyone else, she’d make an excellent wife. But he knew he was incapable of the kind of love a woman like Caroline needed, the kind of love she deserved. He wanted to tell her that she’d certainly find a man who’d adore her. She was a charming, intelligent, and beautiful woman. But he said nothing because he knew that nothing he could offer would matter. “I shall see you on the morrow.”

Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she set her jaw and nodded stiffly. “Yes, I’ll be ready.” She turned and left the room.

They went to London the following day, he, Caroline, and his mother. Caroline was introduced into Society and stayed for all of two weeks before declaring she was done and wished to return to the countryside. He didn’t fight her on the decision and allowed her to go because it was easier than continuing to watch other men flirt with her all around London.

What kind of man was he that he refused to marry Caroline himself, but didn’t want her marrying anyone else, either?

Chapter One

London 1876

Caroline Jellico pulled on the trousers over her drawers and fastened them. She slipped the linen shirt over her head and straightened it, then tucked it into the waistband of the tweed pants. Her bound breasts felt strange against the strip of linen that held them tightly against her. She pulled up the suspenders and then donned the coat she knew she wouldn’t take off. Even if it proved to be hotter than Hades inside the gaming hell, she’d leave it on.

She wound up her hair and knotted it into a tight bun on the top of her head, tucking the flat cap down over it, effectively hiding everything but the color. She’d cut a fringe to the front of her hair so some of it fell across her forehead. No doubt she looked very much the part of a newsboy.

Using the soot she’d collected from the fireplace, she smudged some on her face and dirtied her fingernails. She stood back, looking at herself in the mirror. Newsboy, or perhaps a chimney sweep, a good disguise. No one would suspect her a woman. For the first time in her life, she thanked God she was tall and slender. It certainly made her look more the part. She could definitely pass for a young man. Taking one last look, she took a deep breath and left the room.

She flew down the stairs and headed straight for the parlor at the back of the house. It was where the two sisters