Read Online Twice the Temptation by Beverley Kendall - Free Book Online Page B

Beauties with thirty thousand pound dowries are in high demand. Of course you are being courted.”
    “No, I don’t mean by your common fortune hunter or roué who has every reason to look beyond the matter of my birth.”
    “Ah, so you are being courted by a blue blood.” Olivia looked entirely too pleased, her twinkling eyes appearing solidly blue tonight, matching the cobalt blue of her gown.
    “Well not precisely.” Lucas was so much better than any aristocrat she’d ever met.
    Meghan raised an eyebrow in response. Clearly intrigued, she asked, “Then who is this mystery gentleman who has brought a flush to your cheeks? Certainly not anyone we’re acquainted with.”
    “Lucas Beaumont.” Catherine tried for a casual tone, braced in anticipation for their shock and surprise, which would surely be followed by peals of laughter.
    Silence.
    Her friends locked eyes, eyebrows raised, pink and red lips compressed as if suppressing smiles. They quickly positioned themselves to include her in a tight circle, the dance floor no longer visible in her direct line of sight.
    “But you’ve long claimed you’re completely over him.” Meghan directed guileless green eyes at her.
    Catherine gave a small nod, the heat in her face as telling as her silence.
    “My, he was certainly something to look at. And rich too. I remember there were a fair amount of ladies willing to turn a blind eye to his lack of title and rank to become just plain Mrs. Beaumont.”
    As if Catherine needed a reminder. “Well he is intent on making me his wife.” Her friend’s words caused something primitive and downright territorial to surge within her.
    He’s mine.
    Again, Meghan and Olivia exchanged a look almost as if they could read her thoughts.
    “I knew your denials about him were all fluff and nonsense.” Meghan managed to sound both smug and accusing at the same time.
    Catherine let out a breath and shifted on her feet, stretching her toes inside the tips of her new patent-leather shoes. “You’re my dearest friends so I shan’t dissemble. I love him. I think I’ve always loved him. And he says he loves me and that nothing would make him happier than to marry me.”
    “So you are finally admitting to still being partial to his attentions,” Olivia said, her voice possessing no evidence of the merriment that danced in her eyes.
    Meghan deftly flicked open her fan to cover her mouth while her shoulders shook with laughter.
    “Very partial,” Catherine replied, as if it had been a question to which an answer had been expected. “Although I must say, he can be quite arrogant.” She wasn’t so smitten that she was blind to his faults.
    “But it would appear that arrogant, exceedingly attractive Americans are very much to your taste.”
    Lest Catherine ever forget that with her friends, she was as transparent as glass, remarks like that were delivered to remind her.
    “It would appear so would it not?” Catherine generously conceded. She had fooled no one when she’d claimed she no longer cared for him. “But that isn’t the whole of it. I—”
    “Olivia, you won’t find a dance partner hidden away over here.”
    Catherine lifted her gaze, and there behind Meghan stood Olivia’s brother. Formally attired in a black evening coat, a cream-and-gold embroidered waistcoat, and black trousers, the Earl of Granville looked impossibly dashing.
    Meghan’s head shot up at the sound of his voice, her expression going from animated to somber in an instant. She turned to face him in a move like that of a swan’s transition from stillness to motion.
    “Rhys, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the city?” Olivia beamed up at her brother, her affection evident.
    A half-smile curved the earl’s mouth. “Is that to say, you have no desire to have me home?”
    “Oh, don’t be silly.”
    “Good evening, Miss Rutherford,” he said with a nod in her direction. “You look stunning as usual.”
    Catherine dipped into a