To Wed a Rake
Authors: Eloisa James
A Special from Berkley Sensation
Eloisa James
BERKLEY SENSATION, NEW YORK
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“To Wed a Rake” previously appeared as “A Proper Englishwoman” in
Talk of the Ton
, published by Berkley Sensation.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
TO WED A RAKE
A Berkley Sensation Special / published by arrangement with the author
PUBLISHING HISTORY
Berkley Sensation Special / December 2012
Copyright © 2005 by Eloisa James.
Cover image of mask © Kameel4u/Shutterstock.
Cover design by George Long.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
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375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
ISBN: 978-1-101-61110-4
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Dear Friends,
I’m so happy to bring you one of my very first novellas, originally published in the anthology
Talk of the Ton
. The plot is borrowed from Shakespeare, who borrowed it from a fairy tale. I find that fact delightful, because for the last few years I have been doing the same. So far I’ve written
A Kiss at Midnight
(“Cinderella”),
When Beauty Tamed the Beast, The Duke is Mine
(“The Princess and the Pea”), and
The Ugly Duchess
(“Ugly Duckling”).
I had so many questions about Shakespeare’s plot, in which a rake refuses to acknowledge his wife until she has his ring and his baby. How was my Emma supposed to talk her fiancé into handing over his ring? How could she seduce Gil without being recognized?
Emma was such a funny, sensual heroine that Gil didn’t stand a chance…though of course he fights fate until the very last minute. I hope you love my version of Shakespeare’s fairy tale, and perhaps give my other fairy tales a chance as well.
With best wishes,
In Which a Quote from Shakespeare Insults the Stodgy and Horrifies the Staid
March 15, 1817
Lady Cecilia Petworth to her sister, the Countess of Bredelbane
Dearest Sister,
I take my pen in hand although it is almost dawn, because I know you will be most distressed when the news of this evening’s entertainment at Sandleford House reaches you. Kerr has made quite a spectacle of himself, and although there’s nothing new in that (as we’ve said of your godson before, he gives new definition to the term rakehell), last night his debauchery reached new heights. To the horror of all, he escorted a French
très-coquette to Lady Sandleford’s ball. Making mischief as usual, Lord Dressel strolled up to the couple and asked Kerr if he’d set a date to marry his fiancée. Kerr merely tightened his arm around his bird of paradise (for, not to mince words, she was no better) and drawled the most excruciating vulgarity:
something like
not until she has my baby in her belly and my ring on her finger.
Lady Sandleford was naturally quite insulted by such unseemly behavior under her roof, and I’m certain that the story is traveling like wildfire…one must be grateful that Kerr’s mother has gone to her rest. I shall write again tomorrow but, dearest, I think the time has come to put your foot down and cause your benighted godson to marry that poor girl—what is her name? It’s too late at night for an old head like mine. I shall write again in the morn.
Yours in all affection,
Cecilia, Lady Petworth
March 16, 1817
The Countess of Bredelbane to her godson, Gilbert Baring-Gould, Earl of Kerr
Kerr,
I have received a distressing communication from my sister regarding your behavior—or should I say, the lack of it—while attending Lady Sandleford’s ball. What needs have you, pray, to leave your usual haunts and attend the assemblies of my friends? Of course poor Cecilia didn’t recognize the provenance of your disgusting reply to Dressel; Shakespeare was never in her line. The least you could have done was to reverse the quotation and put the bit around the ring before the question of the baby. Your fiancée will no doubt be horrified to find that her ability to get with child (and that without your knowledge) is on the lips of every Londoner. I demand you make haste to the country and marry Emma immediately, preferably with a special license. I shall expect to hear that you have left for St. Albans by tomorrow at the latest.
Yours with all proper esteem,
Countess of Bredelbane
March 16, 1817
Mrs. Broughton to The Hon. Emma Loudan, St. Albans, Hertfordshire
Dear Miss Loudan,
I am not convinced that you will remember me, since we had only the slightest of acquaintances at Miss Proudfoot’s School for Ladies. My maiden name was Laneham. I write you from the deep reverence I feel toward you and indeed, all my fellow students at Miss Proudfoot’s School. The Earl of Kerr spoke of you in such a fashion last evening that I had difficulty restraining myself. To be precise, he said that he would not marry you, implying that you were with child. I know that this information will come as a great shock, given the unpleasant implication as regards your reputation. I hasten to tell you that no one believed it in the least. If our positions were reversed, and I as isolated from the town as you have been, I should wish to be told of his disgraceful comment.
In hopes that you are not angered by my communication,
Mrs. Broughton
March 16, 1817
The Countess of Bredelbane to the Earl of Kerr
Kerr,
As regards my note earlier this morning, I have now had missives from Mrs. Witter and Lady Horne. Lady Horne informs me that you exemplify the depraved appetite of this vicious age. Picture my dismay on hearing my godson described thusly. How long has it been since you even visited St. Albans? I know that you have had a difficult time since Walter’s death, but your brother would not wish you e wot wishto lose all sense of decency. Next week at the latest I shall expect to hear of your nuptials.
The Countess & etc.