Read Online Kathryn Caskie - [Royle Sisters 02] by How to Engage an Earl - Free Book Online Page A

do it.”
    “Darling gel, no one is asking you to do such a thing.” Lotharian reached out his long arm and patted her shoulder. “No need to fret.”
    Anne’s tensed muscles had just begun to relax when she glimpsed Lotharian casting a covert wink to his left, sending a brief, almost imperceptible grin to Gallantine’s thin lips.
    A shiver raced over Anne’s skin.
    Oh dear God. What now?
    Half-past nine of the clock in the evening
    The night air, damp from the earlier rain, could almost be called mild, and Laird felt perfectly comfortable walking in his plum-hued kerseymere dress coat. He was neither too cool nor too warm, and the walk from Cockspur Street to Berkeley Square was rather bracing.
    Besides, Apsley deserved to walk after what he’d done.
    “Pick up your hooves, you addle-pated fool.”
    “I am not fully to blame, MacLaren. You bloody well bet me I couldn’t do it.”
    Laird didn’t respond.
    “And the gel, why was she in your bedchamber anyway? You know, I have a notion she saw your vulnerable state and decided to catch you in the parson’s mousetrap.”
    “Do shut up, Apsley.”
    “I heard that her guardian is Lilywhite, one of the Old Rakes of Marylebone. They’re a wicked lot—think they’ll allow me to join once I’m gray?—anyway, wouldn’t doubt it if we were to learn he put her up to it. Heard they trapped a duke for the older sister. Why not an earl for the blonde chit?” Apsley was already struggling for breath. “Really, MacLaren, I could have called for my landau or a hackney—rather than walk.”
    “Enough! Like it or not, you are going to help me untangle this bloody knot you’ve tied.” Lairdcould not bring himself to look at Apsley. “And stop complaining. We’re walking.”
    “Well, I can see that.” Apsley huffed, making a great show of his exertion and displeasure. “Sod it all, had I been meant to walk halfway across Town I would have been born a coalman…not heir to an earldom.”
    “The walk will do your constitution good.” Laird kept his gaze straight ahead, even as Apsley drew alongside him.
    “I am in fine shape. All the ladies tell me so.”
    “I am sure they do. Until your coat, waistcoat, and shirt are dropped onto the tester bed, and your chére amie glimpses your corset.”
    “No need to bite.” Apsley stopped walking. “And it is not as if most gentlemen do not use a corset to achieve a flat stomach.”
    Laird lengthened his stride. “Most gentlemen of a certain age anyway,” he murmured, just loud enough for Apsley to hear.
    “I say, MacLaren, not all of us are blessed with the physique of Michelangelo’s David .” Apsley trotted along the pavement behind Laird.
    “Good God, I would hardly label David as wholly blessed. ”
    “Mac, forgive me. I’ll make it up to you.”
    “I know you will. I have a plan.”
    “You know I will help. Whatever you ask, I will do. I swear it.” Apsley stretched out his arm, grasped Laird’s coat sleeve, and yanked hard, forcing him to spin around in the opposite direction. “But how do you know she will go along with your scheme?”
    “She has a name, Miss Anne Royle.”
    Apsley scratched his temple. “Why does that name sound so damned familiar?”
    “Because she is my bloody betrothed!”
    “Oh, right.” Apsley picked up his trotting pace to match Laird’s lengthening stride. “Now that I have apologized, more or less, will you explain why can’t we board your carriage? It is bloody well right there—following us like a great shadow!”
    Laird shrugged off Apsley’s hand and resumed walking down the pavement. “It is in use.”
    “Pacing us?” Apsley hurried to catch Laird up.
    “Transporting something for me.”
    “What?” Apsley’s face contorted in confusion. “What is in the cab that is so damned all-important that we have to walk all the way to Berkeley Square?”
    “A gift.” Laird grinned to himself. “For my betrothed .” He reached out and slapped Apsley on the back.