Ten Ways to Ruin

She looked back to see both her sisters behind her with scowls lining their faces. She hadn’t counted on this consequence of her actions. Then again, had she taken her own advice and introduced herself to a man she knew more about, her sisters might not look as if they were ready to fight the devil to protect her virtue. “Of course,” she replied lightly.

They dragged her into a corner, and Tessa started, “Why did you dance with both Mr. Simpson and Mr. Kingsley?”

“And who introduced you to Mr. Simpson?” Louisa added. “I know it is my fault you know Kingsley, but you shouldn’t dance with him. He is a rake and scoundrel.”

“He is your brother-in-law, Louisa,” Emma exclaimed. “I thought you liked the man.”

“I do, but I am married...safe.”

Emma had heard enough rumors to know Louisa was safe because she married Kingsley’s brother. Mr. Kingsley gave the impression he wouldn’t consider many ladies off-limits. “He asked me to dance to warn me of Mr. Simpson.”

Louisa sighed. “Thank goodness for that.”

“But you still haven’t answered my question,” Tessa said. “Who introduced you to Mr. Simpson?”

While she’d blurted out the truth to Mr. Kingsley, she couldn’t tell her sisters the truth. Instead, she frowned as if in thought. “Goodness, I cannot remember. It was sometime last Season.”

Tessa and Louisa stared at each other as if unable to comprehend such a social disaster.

“Mr. Kingsley advised me not to encourage Mr. Simpson,” Emma commented.

“Good,” Tessa replied. “He is a scoundrel of the worst sort.”

“I thought that title belonged to Mr. Kingsley.” Emma glanced around the room for the devil.

“No, he is not as dreadful as that.” Louisa leaned in closer before saying, “But Kingsley is not a man to lend any confidence to either.”

Emma shook her head. “I have no intention of encouraging either man. I’d had no wish to dance with Mr. Kingsley, but I was afraid he would make a scene in the middle of the room if I did not.”

Tessa looked around. “Where exactly is our mother tonight? She should be having this conversation with you, not us.”

Emma shrugged even though she was quite sure she’d seen her mother escape to the back garden with Lord Hammond. Now that the viscount was widowed, her mother seemed even more focused on him. Although to what end, Emma had no idea. With her father still living, albeit in Cornwall, which only a very few people had knowledge of, there wasn’t much Mamma could hope for with Hammond other than to retain her current position as his mistress.

“Here comes a gentleman with whom you may dance,” Louisa said as Lord Ainsley approached. “Just have a care, Emma. He was a rake for years, but I could see him changing his ways for the right woman.”

“I heard he was looking for a wife,” Tessa added with a smile. “And an earl would be a good comeuppance for Bolton.”

“I doubt Lord Ainsley would be interested in a jilted woman,” Emma said even as she smiled at the approaching earl.

“Your Grace,” he said with a nod to Louisa before adding, “Mrs. Raynerson, Miss Drake, how lovely you all look tonight.”

“Good evening, my lord,” they said in unison with a curtsy.

“Miss Drake, would you favor me with the next dance.”

Was he also

going to scold her for dancing with Simpson and Kingsley? She wanted to refuse him, but she couldn’t without foregoing the rest of the evening’s dances. “It would be my pleasure, my lord.”

“Excellent.” He held out his arm to her.

She took his arm and smiled. He was a handsome man with his blond hair and emerald eyes. Why did he have to decide to reform before she could seduce him? If he were serious about marriage, he’d never agree to a liaison.

Of course, there was Kingsley. He had even offered his services while on the terrace. She could never consider him, even if he was terribly handsome with his dark looks. With hair the color of coal and eyes the color of sapphires, few women could resist him, but she would. He’d always taken great pleasure in flustering her with his remarks. She hated that he could do that to her.

As she and Ainsley danced, she scanned the room for the devil himself. Kingsley stood next to his half-brother in quiet conversation. He slid a glance toward her as if knowing she’d been staring at him. She prayed he wasn’t speaking to Harry about her actions tonight.

“Miss Drake, I asked if you were enjoying yourself tonight.”