The Prince of Pleasure (Notorious 5)

Julienne might have objected, but she truly would be relieved to be out of it, and to have Dare out of it.

Damien's mouth curved in amusement. "It's hard to think of you as a spy, Dare, and harder still as a member of Parliament." When Julienne raised an eyebrow, he expl

ained. "Dare plans to take his seat in the House of Lords."

Her startled gaze shot to Dare. He was watching her, Julienne realized, as if gauging her reaction. "I've been working on my maiden speech this past week."

Julienne felt her heart sink. Dare was planning a career in politics? She hadn't had an inkling that he meant to make such an enormous change in his life. He hadn't mentioned a word to her. But that must be how he was spending his time recently. And if a nobleman would be scorned for wedding a lowly actress, how much more so would a politician?

"What issues do you mean to take up?" Lucian asked him.

"There are countless problems facing the future of our country now that the war is finally over," Dare responded. "The most immediate are the price of staples and the plight of our returning soldiers. But I'm finding that I need significantly more study before I could propose any solutions."

"You would do best to focus on something you care deeply about."

Dare nodded. "I will have Castlereagh's support at least. He wants an ally in Parliament."

"When you give your speech, we will come watch you from the spectators' gallery," Vanessa said.

Damien was still shaking his head skeptically.

"You don't think I would be good at politics?" Dare asked him.

"I'm certain you will be outstanding. You can be as charming and persuasive as the very devil. But I've known you so long as a rogue, I wonder why you would wish to assume such serious responsibilities."

"We all must put aside our youth sometime," Dare said lightly.

He caught Julienne's gaze but couldn't read her expression. She was an actress, though. An expert at concealing her feelings.

He hoped she would be glad for him. He wished they were alone so he could probe her reaction. But he would have to wait.

Shortly afterward, the ladies repaired to the drawing room, leaving the gentlemen to their port. Dare found his two best friends eyeing him questioningly, as if he were some strange specimen of wildlife at the Royal Menagerie.

They wanted explanations, he knew: Why was this leopard so desperate to change his spots?

But it was easy to explain why he was driven to reform. Because he needed to become a better man in order to be worthy of Julienne.

He was frankly ashamed of the shallow libertine that he had been. He'd made so little of his life until now. He'd been a profligate most of his thirty-three years, intent on empty pleasures. He'd had no vision for his existence beyond the gratification of the moment. He was self-indulgent, self-centered, even selfish at times…

But he was done with his rakehell days, his debauchery. From the bottom of his rake's soul, he swore to change.

He could redeem himself if he strove hard enough. He could prove to Julienne that he deserved her.

"I suppose," Damien said at last, beginning the grilling, "there is a reason for this remarkable new course you're taking? Might it have anything to do with Miss Laurent?"

"It has everything to do with her," Dare said softly. "I would go through fire for her."

"She's an exceptional woman," Lucian agreed. "I find her mettle particularly impressive."

"She has more courage than any ten men I know," Dare declared.

More courage, more fortitude, more honor, more spirit, more intelligence… It would be nearly impossible to become worthy of her.

"So you've finally succumbed," Damien said, a knowing gleam in his gray eyes. "I seem to recall you laughing at me when I fell in love with Vanessa."

"No, I never laughed at you." Dare met his friend's gaze with all seriousness. "I was afraid for you, Sin. I feared you would be hurt the way I was once hurt. But I am willing to admit I was wrong. You had no choice but to love Vanessa-just as I have no choice with Julienne."

"I gather you're conceding your wager, then."