A Good Rake is Hard to Find (36 page)

“It's not that I haven't thought of it,” Hermione said with a shrug. “It's simply that there aren't that many ladies who like to drive. And those who are really good are already members of other clubs.”

“Why is it that you cannot manage to get even one of them to accept you?” Ophelia asked with a frown. “You
are
a good driver. It's odd.”

“I wasn't going to tell you,” Hermione said in a low voice, “but the reason I can't get into a club is that my father has threatened every club in town that if they accept my application, he'll have them blackballed from White's and Brooks's.”

“Oh, Hermione,” Leonora said, squeezing the other girl's hand, “I am so sorry.”

“What will you do?” Ophelia asked. She was always thinking ahead.

“I sincerely do not want to tell you,” their friend said, her eyes downcast. “But I have to tell someone, or I'll burst.”

Looking up, she said, “I too was approached by Lord Payne this week. It would seem that as the new club president, he wishes to make some changes in the eligibility rules.”

“Please, no!” Leonora gasped.

“You didn't.” Ophelia clapped a hand over her mouth.

“I did, I'm afraid,” Hermione said apologetically. “I told Lord Payne that I would join the Lords of Anarchy.”

 

About the Author

Manda Collins
spent her teen years wishing she'd been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. When she's not writing, she's helping other people use books, as an academic librarian. Visit her website at:
www.mandacollins.com
, or sign up for email updates
here
.

    

 

Also by
Manda Collins

How to Dance with a Duke

How to Romance a Rake

How to Entice an Earl

Why Dukes Say I Do

Why Earls Fall in Love

Why Lords Lose Their Hearts

Novellas

The Perks of Being a Beauty

Once Upon a Christmas Kiss

 

Praise for
Manda Collins
's delectable Regency novels

WHY LORDS LOSE THEIR HEARTS

“This sweet and sensuous novel has an undercurrent of mystery that will keep readers riveted.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Collins's tale blends intrigue and desire in a story that is an unusual and intriguing combination of chilling and sweet.”

—RT Book Reviews

“A suspense-filled tale,
Why Lords Lose Their Hearts,
the third book in author
Manda Collins
's Wicked Widows trilogy, is a witty, sensual historical romance that will captivate readers from the very beginning. Filled with warmth, clever dialogue, engaging characters, sizzling chemistry, mystery, danger, surprising plot twists, tender romance, and true love, this story is a delight.”

—Romance Junkies

“Fresh dialogue, suspense, revenge, a most unlikely villain, and of course, romance make
Why Lords Lose Their Hearts
a definite must-read!”

—Reader to Reader Reviews

WHY EARLS FALL IN LOVE

“With its shades of
I Know What You Did Last Summer
and strong gothic overtones, Collins's latest is a chill-seeker's delight. Along with the surprising climax, readers will thoroughly enjoy the well-crafted characters, the charming setting, and the romance that adds spice to the drama.”

—RT Book Reviews

“Sparkling romance amid mystery.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Combining love, wit, warmth, suspense, intrigue, emotion, sensuality, interesting characters, romance, and plenty of danger, Ms. Collins has created another enthralling story.”

—Romance Junkies

“Award-winning author
Manda Collins
brings sensual historical romance to a new level with wit, heat, beautifully written detail, finely drawn characters, and a flair for fun.”

—
Examiner.com

WHY DUKES SAY I DO

“Witty and smart, Collins's prose flows smoothly as she merges a charming, compassionate love story with gothic suspense … Add strong pacing and depth of emotion, and there's no doubt this is a winner.”

—RT Book Reviews
(Top Pick, 4½ stars)

“Collins has a deft touch with characterization, and she expertly weaves a thrilling thread of danger throughout the story.
Why Dukes Say I Do
is highly recommended for readers who enjoy their historical romances with a generous soupçon of suspense.”

—Reader to Reader Reviews


Manda Collins
pens a charming, romantic tale with
Why Dukes Say I Do
.”

—Single Titles

“Totally engrossing, witty, and suspenseful.”

—Tulsa Book Review

 

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Contents

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Dedication

Acknowledgments

 

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Epilogue

 

About the Author

Also by Manda Collins

Praise for Manda Collins's delectable Regency novels

Copyright

 

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

A GOOD RAKE IS HARD TO FIND

Copyright © 2015 by Manda Collins.

All rights reserved.

For information address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

www.stmartins.com

eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to [email protected]

eISBN: 9781466866799

St. Martin's Paperbacks edition / April 2015

St. Martin's Paperbacks are published by St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

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