Never Trust a Scoundrel by Gayle Callen Page A

she wasn’t there yet. She still planned to win the violin.
    She turned, saw the mounting block perfectly positioned, and used it to vault into the sidesaddle. She went racing out the back into the alley behind the courtyard, passing Daniel’s tethered horse. By the time he caught her, there would be witnesses that he was pursuing her. Again.
    He caught up to her in the park, and to her satisfaction, she saw several riders make note of their entrance. This made two mornings in a row they had been seen together. It was true, at first people might assume he pursued her as a possible mistress, since it was his pattern. But she would make certain that everyone soon knew differently.
    â€œYou are quite the skilled rider, unlike yesterday,” Daniel said dryly, tipping his hat as they rode past another couple.
    She gave him a smug grin.
    â€œHow old are you?” he asked.
    She frowned, wondering where he was leading her with such a question. “I am twenty-three.”
    â€œSo certainly not in the first blush of youth.”
    She rolled her eyes.
    â€œWhy have you not married?”
    â€œI have not had a proper Season, unlike most young ladies. The village had a limited selection of young men.”
    â€œBut I’m certain you must have had some of them courting you.”
    â€œSometimes.” This was cutting too close to her foolish mistakes. “None of them were appealing. So how old are you?”
    â€œThat’s a change of subject,” he said.
    â€œNot really. Just reciprocating.”
    â€œVery well, I am twenty-nine.”
    â€œAh, ancient for a bachelor. Shouldn’t you be married by now? Or have your mistresses taken up too much of your time?”
    He frowned, as if he were giving her question serious consideration. She didn’t think he would answer something so personal, and sure enough, he said, “Do you want to race?”
    She stared at him, the challenge filling her. He was an unusual man. Even the thought of bestinghim made her pulse race and gave an added spark to her day. She knew it was making her forget about other things, and right now, she was glad for that.
    She was still so very aware of him, wondering what he was thinking, what he planned next—and the thought gave her a secret thrill—but she was also contemplating her own strategy.
    Having Daniel seen gallantly rescuing her and dancing with her at a ball, might eventually make him seem like he had become a marriageable man in Society, but it would not make him a better man. And that’s what she’d told Edward she meant to do. She had to succeed, or Edward would ask too many questions about how she’d really won the violin.
    So it was time to think about trying a different tactic. She would have to call upon Miss Parker, the famed spinster and head of charitable organizations.
    â€œDaniel, you’re not changing the rules of the challenge, are you?”
    â€œNo, why would you think a race would do that?”
    â€œMaybe you’re becoming desperate. You have not convinced me to be your mistress. You’ll have to do better than what you’ve tried.”
    â€œOh believe me, I have several more ideas to pursue.”
    She shivered with anticipation.

Chapter 7
    R eturning from a call on Beverly, Grace let herself in the front door. She heard the unmistakable sound of several voices from down the corridor, none of which sounded like Edward.
    How many strangers could invade a town house in just a few days? she wondered with exasperation.
    â€œHello?” she called.
    At once, a man dressed formally in black livery came into the entrance hall.
    â€œYou must be Miss Banbury,” the man said. “I am Woodley, the new butler.”
    Had Edward won so very much last night? she thought in surprise. “I didn’t know you’d been hired, Woodley,” she answered honestly.
    â€œOur registry office was contasted this morning, miss, by your