Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,36

left the room before she sat back down in her chair, albeit a little too heavily, for her father noticed at once and lifted an eyebrow in her direction.

“Not suitable for you, then?” he queried as Rebecca smiled. “He is only an earl, I suppose.”

“A handsome earl!” Lady Selina interrupted, one hand flying to her mouth as both she and Lady Anna giggled. The duke, perhaps uncertain as to what to do with such silly creatures as his daughters, ignored them entirely.

“I did give him permission to call upon you again, however,” he continued, looking at Rebecca with one lifted brow. “I do hope that you will entertain him, although, of course, should someone with a more suitable title come to call, then you can easily make your disinterest in Lord Clayton plain.”

Rebecca smiled to herself. “Yes, Father,” she said quietly as the duke nodded, clearly satisfied with himself that he had guided his daughter so well. “I believe I have one more caller this afternoon, although I cannot be certain of when he will arrive.” She glanced towards her sisters, who were now looking at her with interest. “My sisters can sit with me, of course.”

The duke frowned. “Lady Hayward should be here,” he muttered as Rebecca remained quiet. “If only she had not that unfortunate meeting with her solicitors, I would not have to do—”

“We can sit with Rebecca, Father,” Lady Selina interrupted brightly, smiling eagerly at her father as she repeated Rebecca’s words. “That is quite proper, particularly since there are two of us who will be present.”

“More than proper,” Lady Anna agreed as Rebecca held her father’s gaze steadily. “And we will not leave the room or do anything foolish.”

“I am sure you have plenty to attend to, Father,” Rebecca said gently. “Please, there is no need to linger.”

The duke harrumphed, then nodded. “Very well,” he said, much to Rebecca’s relief. “You are to attend the fashionable hour in Hyde Park, I understand?”

Rebecca nodded. “Lady Hayward is to call for us soon, Father,” she acknowledged. “I will make sure to inform you before we depart.”

This seemed to satisfy the duke, for he exited the room without another word or even a backward glance, leaving his daughters to sit together as they had done so many times before. Rebecca let out a long breath and looked to her sisters, who were sitting quietly, although with an expectant look on their faces.

It was time to take them into her confidence.

“I am hopeful that Lord Swinton and Lord Richmond will call,” Rebecca said quickly, praying that there was nothing about that name on her lips that would affect her expression. “I do not think that father is aware of the gossip surrounding Lord Richmond, but, if he is, it would be best if he did not remain in the room when they come to call.” Her heart twisted in her chest, uncertain as to whether or not Lord Richmond would be willing to attend. He had been very clear in his decision last evening and whilst she had been required to step away from him, she had felt that same urgency to remain in his company, to speak at length with him and to find out the truth of what was now pushing him from her once more.

Lord Swinton had agreed at once, his note received by her within the hour of her first sending the invitation. Of Lord Richmond, however, she could not be certain, and it was this that made her all the more anxious.

“Lord Richmond?” Lady Selina repeated, a look of astonishment etched on her features. “But he is a rake, Rebecca!”

“He is not,” Rebecca replied firmly. “He has been mistaken for a rake. It was a mixup. There are those within society who do not believe the rumors. I will state now… I am one of them.”

“Is Lady Hayward aware of his intention to call?” Lady Anna asked, sounding a little doubtful. “I am sure she would have something to say on the matter if she were aware of it.”

“As you saw last evening,” Rebecca said primly, “she permitted me to converse with him and, I am certain, would not be against his visit this afternoon.”

She watched as her sisters looked at each other before returning their gaze to Rebecca. Both of them looked doubtful indeed, although Rebecca did not feel the need to defend herself any further. They did not need to know that it had been she who had written to both Lord