Read Online Twice the Temptation by Suzanne Enoch - Free Book Online Page A

confident as if he actually owned the place. “I seem to be tardy.”
    â€œYes, you are,” she returned as coolly as she could manage, considering that his appearance the moment the diamond left her possession had nearly stopped her heart. So if the jewel did alter luck, had her fortunes just changed for the better, or for the worse? “Another friend in need, I presume?”
    â€œA damned milk cart overturned right in front of me. My tiger and I spent twenty minutes chasing urchins and cats and one rather frightening elderly woman out of the street before further carnage could ensue.” For the first time he glanced at her other guest. “Hello, Redmond. Didn’t see you there.”
    â€œRawley. If you’d give me a moment, I was speaking with Miss Munroe.”
    For a second Connoll Addison’s gaze met Evangeline’s, his expression unreadable. “Of course. I’ll be in the foyer, Gilly.”
    He’d used her familiar name deliberately. Not that she found it in the least significant that the man who’d been courting her for better than a month still called her Miss Munroe, while the marquis who’d known her for less than a week had already absconded with her pet name. He was simply rude and arrogant.
    Once he’d left the room, Redmond seized her hand. “Say you’ll wear my ring, Miss Munroe.”
    â€œMy goodness,” she returned. “This is rather sudden, my lord. Might I…” She paused, looking at his brown, adoring eyes. “Might I ask you a favor?”
    â€œAsk me anything. I would purchase you the moon, if you but asked for it.”
    â€œHeavens, I don’t want the moon. But…well, will you kiss me?”
    It was a stupid request, since as her mother had many times informed her, personal attraction had nothing to do with a marriage. On the other hand, however weak-minded a husband, he would still expect to share a bed on occasion with his wife—at least until she could convince him otherwise.
    â€œI would be honored,” he breathed, then clenched her shoulders, drew her up to him, and pressed his tightly closed lips against hers.
    It was like being kissed by a pig’s snout, or how she imagined that would be, anyway—damp, slightly bristled, and eliciting nothing but a faint disgust. She sat back, blinking. “Thank you, my lord,” she said faintly, resisting the urge to wipe the back of her hand across her lips.
    â€œI would kiss you whenever you wish it, if you would only answer my question,” he said fervently.
    Doretta shrieked and leaped to her feet. Dancing about like a madwoman, she flapped her skirts, brushing at them frantically. “Doretta! What’s—”
    The door burst open again, Rawley striding into the room. “What’s amiss?” he asked, turning his gaze from Evangeline to her maid.
    â€œA very big…a spider! On my dress!”
    â€œThen hold still a moment,” he instructed, grabbing her arm. He gazed at the maid critically, then reached down to the level of her ankle, flicked a finger at something, and stomped as a dark spot landed on the hardwood floor. “There you are. No harm done—except to the spider, of course.”
    â€œOh, thank you, my lord. I’m terrified of those crawly things.”
    â€œYes, I know what you mean. I refuse to feel kindly toward anything that can move in more directions than I can.” With a last reassuring pat on her arm, he faced Evangeline again. “Not to be rude, but I’ve been chasing about the street all morning, and I’m famished. Are you ready for our picnic?”
    â€œYes, I am.” She spared Redmond a glance. “I beg your pardon, my lord, but I do have a previous engagement. Perhaps we can continue our discussion at a more opportune time.”
    â€œOf course. I am all patience for you, Miss Munroe.” His brown eyes slid over to the marquis.