Read Online The Earl of Her Dreams by Anne Mallory - Free Book Online

traitorous digits into the coverlet. “Lovely. I assure you I’d as soon be knocked dead as to warm my feet on you.”
    “Interesting. And here I thought—”
    Whatever he thought was cut short by a shout of rage coming from the room behind Kate. A shuffling knock from the wall behind Christian indicated that Freewater had heard the shout as well and was likely pressing his ear to the boards.
    “Do you know who is occupying that room?” Christian’s voice was low as he pointed toward the wall behind her.
    She matched his whispering tone. “Lawrence Lake, I believe.”
    “The man who started the fight in the taproom?”
    Kate nodded. “He and Janson have more between them than just an unfriendly cricket rivalry.”
    “That much seems obvious.”
    Another bellow of rage echoed through the walls, followed by the tinkling of glass shattering against the floorboards.
    Heavy footsteps pounded across the floor above. A small section of the innkeeper’s room was directly above theirs, the rest of it located above Mr. Freewater’s room.
    Sure enough, footsteps treaded heavily on the stairs and someone pounded on the door next to theirs moments later.
    They heard the door creak open and a voice boomed, “Mr. Lake, I warned you earlier.”
    “How can you stand it, Mrs. Wicket? Janson must be stopped. He’s an animal unfit for society.”
    “Mr. Lake! Do not speak about Mr. Janson that way. It is no business of yours.”
    “Deep inside everyone must know what kind of man he is.”
    “Mr. Janson is a passionate man. Headstrong and competitive. And furthermore, he is a guest here at the inn, as are you, although how much longer you remain is yet to be determined. I expect you to clean up that glass; I won’t be sending Sally to sweep up this mess as she has other tasks occupying her.”
    There was a pause. “Sorry, ma’am,” Lake said in a voice that could only be described as defeated.
    Mrs. Wicket’s voice dropped and Kate had to strain to hear. “No more of this, do you hear me, Mr. Lake? I thought we had straightened this out earlier. You remember what we discussed?”
    “Yes.” Lake’s voice was subdued.
    “Very well. Good night, Mr. Lake.”
    “Good night, Mrs. Wicket.”
    The door shut and footsteps treaded back upstairs.
    Christian gazed at the wall thoughtfully, before looking back toward the Freewater wall. The room seemed to chill momentarily.
    “Good night, Kate.”
    Kate blinked, unsure what had occurred to change his mind. He wasn’t going to argue anymore? She really didn’t want to sleep in a chair,but the alternative was…unacceptable. Much too dangerous. Sharing a room with a man who was obviously of a rakish stamp was a danger by itself. Sharing a bed? She’d be lucky to leave without an extra mouth to feed nine months down the road.
    “Good night, Mr. Black.”
    Kate watched him slip under the bedcovers and scoot up against the wall, his body facing Freewater’s room. She didn’t know why he wanted to listen to Freewater, who seemed dull in the extreme. Other than the occasional swearing, the only things to be heard were shuffled papers, slammed books, and squeaky bedsprings. If Freewater didn’t keep making little noises every few minutes, she would forget him completely.
    Kate watched Christian settle in. His dark locks contrasted sharply with the white embroidered pillowcase, like a demon who had taken advantage of an angel’s fluffy cloud.
    She blew out the candle on the small table between her chair and the bed, then buried her head into the surprisingly soft counterpane and closed her eyes. It was going to be a long, uncomfortable night.
     
    Kate woke at the one o’clock chime and again at two. She automatically looked to the shadows anddidn’t see the lump she had expected. Where had her roommate gone? A loud snore came from Freewater’s room, and she could hear the steady beat of Lake’s leg as he bounced it up and down on the floor.
    The door opened and Christian was