Read Online The Redemption of a Dissolute Earl by Julie Johnstone - Free Book Online Page A

recurring problem for both of you,” Char snapped, “given that your parents
instilled in all of you since your births that you’re better than
everyone else.” Char’s coachman jerked as she tapped him on the
shoulder. He whipped his head up, his cheeks flaming red, his eyes
darting everywhere but on them. “Let us get out, Mr. Perkins, and
leave these two to their plotting.”
    “I’m not plotting,” Drew said helplessly,
clambering down the ladder after Char. She was halfway to the
entrance of the inn before he caught up. “Char.” He grabbed her arm
to stop her brisk exodus from his presence. “Are you going to stay
mad at me all night for something I didn’t even say?”
    “No.” She yanked her arm free. “I’m mad
because I know you share in your cousin’s belief that you are
better than me, deserve more than me, simply because you were
highborn.”
    “I do not share Edgeworth’s beliefs.”
    “Ha!” She whirled away and almost ran into
her gaping coachman. “Excuse me, Mr. Perkins.”
    Drew stomped up the stairs after her and
reached for her arm once again. His fingers grazed the material of
her dress. Whirling around, she served him a severe glare. “You’re
touching me! Can you not keep even one promise you
make?”
    He swallowed and dropped his hand, fully
expecting her to take flight.
    She surprised him by not moving. They stared
at each other, breaths coming out in puffs of white into the
darkness while snowflakes fell between them. The stairs creaked as
Mr. Perkins crept as far away as possible without actually leaving
Char alone. Drew immediately changed his opinion of the man. He
liked anyone who had the decency to give him some leeway but
refused to abandon his first loyalty to his mistress.
    Watching the white flakes fall on Char’s
pale skin made it almost painful for Drew not to touch her. The
desire pulsed from his heart all the way to the tips of his
fingers. He’d keep his bloody promise though―even if it killed him.
“Please, Char. Hold my past sins against me all you want, but don’t
hold me accountable for things I no longer believe.”
    She licked her lips, her tongue melting a
snowflake that had landed on her upper lip. “That’s fair.”
    He breathed a sigh of relief. “Give me a
chance to show you I’ve changed.”
    “No.”
    Her answer was so final, so definite. Yet he
couldn’t help but hope. He knew her. It wasn’t in her nature not to
give someone a second chance. “I have changed,” he persisted.
“You’ll see.”
    She shook her head. “I don’t want to see. If
you think you can’t keep your promise, I’ll find another coach to
take me to Danby tomorrow.”
    Before Drew could reply, heavy footsteps
clomped up the stairs behind him and a hand slapped him smartly on
the back. “I hate to interrupt you two, but it’s bloody cold out
here.”
    Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Edgeworth.
“You’re not interrupting anything, Lord Edgeworth.”
    “Miss Milne, clearly you are an expert at
staying angry.”
    “I wouldn’t say that,” Charlotte hedged.
    “Excellent. A crack in your ferociously
righteous armor.”
    “Edgeworth,” Drew warned. Why was his cousin
purposely trying to get under Charlotte’s skin?
    “Righteous?” Charlotte sputtered.
    Edgeworth shrugged. “A bit. Though, while I
do admit I deserve your anger, my cousin does not .”
    Drew’s irritation with Edgeworth’s earlier
blunder vanished.
    “Fine. He’s forgiven for your earlier
comments. Now can we go in before we all freeze to death?”
    Edgeworth swept his hand in front of him.
“After you, my lady.”
    Charlotte walked ahead as Drew and Edgeworth
walked side by side. Drew nudged his cousin in the arm. Thank
you , he mouthed.
    As Charlotte stepped through the door into
the bustling inn, Edgeworth leaned towards Drew. “I heartily
approve of Miss Milne. Don’t mess this up.”
    “I don’t intend to,” Drew replied.
    “Good. And, Drew…”
    “Yes?”
    Edgeworth