Page 35 of A Story of Love

If Lord Severn had indeed abetted any mutineers, then that was a subject the public deserved to hear about and she did not feel guilty about exposing his behavior. After all, he would one day have a seat in Lords and his actions should be subject to scrutiny.

The issue of his twin brother’s death was not nearly so clear cut. Why did she feel so guilty investigating that?

Because who benefited more from Lord Perseverance’s death than his younger brother and heir?

Lori flinched away from that thought.

You don’t want to believe that because you fancy the man.

She closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the tattered squabs. She despised herself for falling prey to a libertine like Stand Fast Severn. He’d been a shocking womanizer in his younger days and showed no sign of having changed.

Even if a person discredited the gossip about how many lovers he kept on a string, there were enough of his illegitimate offspring scattered around the countryside to give evidence to his unprincipled raking. Indeed, Lori had discovered at least five different women who’d claimed the King of the Rakes had fathered their child.

Although none of the mothers would speak to Lori directly, she had confirmed that all five of them received money from Lord Severn—even during his years at sea.

Severn’s assistance wasn’t only limited to money. The oldest children—now between eighteen and twenty—had married respectably, which would not have happened without Severn’s influence. The two boys had attended well-respected schools and he’d purchased a commission for one.

Severn might be a philandering, gambling, reckless rake, but he had never shirked his responsibilities when it came to looking after his by-blows.

Lori had seen the far-too-attractive viscount often in the two weeks since they’d danced that waltz. She had not asked him to dance again—or even spoken to him—and he had avoided her.

Indeed, he had not so much as glanced her way. Instead, he had joined the men who were baying after Miss Pascoe and her fortune like a pack of slavering hounds.

Lori scowled at the unpleasant pang in her belly. Why was she so disappointed that Severn wanted to marry the lovely young heiress? There was hardly an unmarried man—and a great many married ones—who didn’t lust after either Miss Pascoe’s person or money or both.

Honestly, Lori couldn’t even blame the men. Demelza Pascoehad become fast friends with Freddie’s twins, so Lori had spent quite a bit of time around the girl in recent weeks. Demelza wasn’t just beautiful, she was also sweet tempered and intelligent.

Unfortunately, she was also shockingly innocent.

It disgusted her that Severn—a man who lived in a brothel—would go after such a child. The thought of him slaking his lust on Miss Pascoe’s nubile body made her positively ill.

Liar. You’re not positively ill. You’re positively green with envy that he’s not running after you.

“That’s bosh,” Lori muttered, glaring out the window.

Your feelings for the man are the same reason you don’t want to look into his brother’s death. Because you are afraid of what you might find.

She did like Severn—despite his deplorably rakish behavior—but just as a person, not as a potential lover.

Liar, the voice accused yet again. You desire him.

It was true she felt a certain attraction for him, but not desire!

You are infatuated with the man.

“That’s hardly unusual given that he is a rake with twenty years of experience under his belt, is it? Indeed, it would have been unusual if I didn’t find him attractive,” Lori retorted, uncaring that she was arguing with herself aloud in a hackney.

He will likely marry Miss Pascoe before the Season is even over.

That was entirely possible. All of London knew that all Mr. Bryok Pascoe cared about was getting the most prestigious title for his daughter.

It was easy to understand Pascoe’s motives—he wanted to buy into the aristocracy at the highest level possible—but Severn’s were less clear. His grandfather was one of the wealthiest peers in Britain, so why was Severn chasing after an heiress with a vulgar father and less than illustrious pedigree? The current marquess was an infamous snob. Lori couldn’t imagine that he would agree with his grandson’s choice of wife.

The woman is female perfection; what other reason does a man need?

Yet another undeniable truth. Demelza Pascoewas gorgeous, sweet, and obscenely wealthy. Why would Lord Severn want any other woman?

You mean why would he ever want you?