Can't Say No: Sins of Their Fathers Book 1

Chapter 1

London, 1840

It was a cloudless night, brilliant with stars, and Wade Warrick stepped outside with both appreciation of the celestial view above and the fresher air. The ballroom had been stifling, packed with milling guests, and he never enjoyed a crush. His carriage had already been brought around and he looked very much forward to several stiff brandies and the peace and quiet of his study.

The entire evening had been a bit annoying. Just what the latest rumor circulating was he didn’t know firsthand, but it apparently involved him and Lady Taylor.

Good lord, he’d waltzed with the woman one time. Didn’t gossips have anything better to do than speculate on his love life?

He grasped the handle, put one foot on the step, and in the very act of climbing into his carriage he froze.

It wasn’t empty.

Please don’t say or do anything so anyone knows I’m here.

The soft entreaty was almost as puzzling as finding the vehicle occupied. He certainly arrived alone. Moreover his visitor was a woman, though in the gloom it was difficult to see exactly who she might be. Not sure what to do except honor her request, and admittedly curious, he did as she asked and simply climbed in.

Bloody hell, now what?

Thank you. She sat primly on the seat, her hands folded in her lap, a dark cloak draped around her slender shoulders. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, he recognized her with a small glimmer of surprise. Even in the uncertain light there was no mistaking the signature pale gleam of her hair or her strikingly beautiful features. In the same soft tone, she asked, Where can we go?

Nonplussed, as he didn’t really know her other than one brief introduction months ago, he found himself at a loss for words momentarily. I beg your pardon?

The young daughter of the Earl of Charbeau, the reigning beauty of the haute ton, recently engaged to one of the wealthiest peers in England, explained in a matter of fact tone. I guess I should have clarified my question. Where can we go that is completely private?

They were already in motion, his driver apparently unaware he had company.

The word private and this young woman sent off an entire chorus of alarm bells ringing. I am quite sure I do not understand, for which, I think, you cannot blame me, Lady Helen. We are barely acquainted, it is late, you have no chaperone—

A chaperone would spoil the whole thing. I want you, in fact, to ruin me.

Wade stared at her incredulously, not sure he wasn’t having some odd hallucination. What?

Don’t worry, no one will ever know it was you. I just need someone to…well…bed me. I was certain you would know someplace discreet where we wouldn’t be seen together.

He’d certainly been propositioned before, but not with such bluntness, and at least he usually had more than a passing acquaintance with the woman. He knew Helen Richmond even less than he did Lady Taylor. Wade lifted his brows and studied her lovely face in the dim light. "Let me clarify this. You wish to be ruined? It seems to me your future husband might take exception."

Exactly. If he knows I am no longer a virgin, you can be sure he won’t want me any longer. No one is more pompous and arrogant than the Duke of Resdale. Surely you know him?

Finally a glimmer of light shone in the befuddling situation. Wade lounged back and rubbed his jaw. Yes, he admitted, not caring much for the man himself. In his opinion the adjectives applied quite well though the handsome duke was both popular and considered very charming by most of society. The exception apparently sat right in front of him and unfortunately it was Resdale’s betrothed. It seems to me your approach to this is a bit drastic, my lady. Why not sever your engagement by simply calling it off?

She decisively shook her blond head, a silky curl brushing her slender neck. You must understand, sir, as surely as the betrothal was forced on me, so would be the marriage. My father’s family is very close to the duke’s family, the Westerlands. The idea of the marriage has existed since the day I was born, and the whole situation is made worse by the fact Frederick has an apparent penchant for me. On my part, I think he is boorish and spoiled. In front of my parents, of course, he is charming and attentive, but beneath the polished public surface, he is completely different. No, I will do anything to make sure he is the one who decides against it.

There wasn’t much doubting her conviction. Wade gave a small sardonic smile. May I ask, pray tell, why was I selected for this honor?

Actually, he didn’t really need to ask, damn Jason and James to perdition. Just because his older twin brothers were considered two of the most notorious rakes in all of Britain, he somehow had the same reputation. No one seemed to notice he did not pursue every female in sight, in fact, he disapproved of their iniquitous lifestyles for the most part and shunned the idea of a retinue of different females constantly in his bed. He believed in feeling a genuine passion for a woman before he took her to bed, not merely passing lust.

For the first time, the very lovely Miss Richmond looked other than completely self-possessed. Her long lashes lowered a fraction. Under the cloak she wore a low-cut fashionable ball gown and he saw the upper curves of her ivory breasts quiver as she took a breath. First, I chose you because of my mother.

This just becomes more interesting by the moment. I am perishing to know the segue between your mother, myself, and your determination to thwart Resdale’s passion for you.

Actually, I overheard her and several ladies gossiping over tea a few days ago and she remarked that though you were a typical roguish Warrick male, at least you are discreet and do not flaunt your affairs. Once again, no one will ever know it was you, and I prefer you, of course, keep it a secret. It will be enough that I have had a lover.

He was perceived as discreet because he didn’t dash around having casual liaisons, but Wade simply lifted his brows. Why not just invent one? Surely you needn’t actually go through with it.

My mother has an uncanny knack of being able to tell if I am lying. I gave up as a child. No, it’s best to do the deed in truth.

He eyed the resolute tenseness of her shoulders and the shadowed set of her delicately beautiful face. I see you believe that. What is the second reason you decided out of all the men already prostrate at your feet you would pick one you barely know.

We have never even shared a dance or more than a polite word. My father won’t suspect you. I especially do not want to marry Frederick, but there is no one else I care to marry either. When I tell my father what I’ve done, I am sure the first thing he will demand is the identity of the culprit. When I refuse to reveal it, he will look to the suitors who have been pursuing me this Season. They will all be innocent, so he won’t be able to prove anything. Many of them have already offered for me, so if I asked one of them to do this, I might end up married anyway. It is logical to choose someone like you with no interest in me.

He’d like to meet the man who could completely ignore her spectacular beauty. If she thought he could, she was wrong. However, she did have a point. He hadn’t ever considered pursuing her in