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

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.”
     
      “Oh, thank you, my lord. I’m terrified of those crawly things.”
     
      “Yes, 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?”
     
      “Yes, 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.”
     
      “Of course. I am all patience for you, Miss Munroe.” His brown eyes slid over to the marquis. “Perhaps I’ll have a chat with your papa.”
     
      “Please do,” she returned. As if it would be her father who granted her permission to marry. Everyone in the household knew that Lady Munroe would have the final say in that particular matter.
     
      With a last glance in the direction of the couch and the hidden necklace, she touched Doretta’s shoulder. “Get the diamond and put it back in its box,” she whispered, and the maid nodded.
     
      While Doretta hurried upstairs, Evangeline joined Connoll Addison in the foyer. Good luck or bad luck, he seemed to appear only when the diamond was not on her person. Today she would find out for certain which kind of luck he was for her, and she had more than a suspicion that she couldn’t do that with the Nightshade Diamond in hand.
     
       
     
      Connoll kept an eye on Lord Redmond as he, Gilly, and her spider-fearing maid left the house. The earl, though, seemed content to remain inside. Better there than making a fool of himself over a girl less than half his age.
     
      But it wasn’t just Redmond being foolish. Obviously Gilly felt the need to encourage the fellow, though he still wasn’t quite certain why. Money? Title? He had more of both than the earl did. And if he did say so himself, at least he hadn’t begun to sag in embarrassing places yet.
     
      He shook himself as they reached his curricle. “Any luck yet, Quilling?” he asked his tiger.
     
      The lad looked up from the bundle he held in one arm, the other hand being engaged with holding the horses. “No, m’lord. He still won’t let go.”
     
      “What won’t let go?” Evangeline asked.
     
      “No matter. He can have my coat until he changes his mind,” Connoll returned, offering a hand to help Evangeline onto the high seat. “While we were chasing children and felines out of harm’s way, one of them latched on to my greatcoat. One of the cats, not the children. Otherwise that could have been awkward.”
     
      She chuckled. “May I see it?”
     
      “Certainly, miss.” The tiger released the horses as Connoll took the reins, then walked back and held up the bundle to Evangeline before he and the maid climbed onto the back of the vehicle.
     
      “Oh, it’s adorable,” Gilly said, peeling back a layer of coat to reveal a small gray ball of fur. “It’s just a kitten, poor thing.”
     
      “Yes, I’m afraid the cart driver was a little too vigorous in defending his spilled milk, and he kicked the lad. I don’t think he hurt it, but the animal hasn’t set foot on the ground since. I carried him on the back of my leg for five minutes before I realized he was there.”
     
      “Why do you think it’s a he?” she asked, stroking its back and making attractive cooing sounds. “I think it’s a girl.”
     
      “Until we know for certain, she can be whatever you wish. I’m in no hurry to get my eyes scratched out for trying to discover its gender.”
     
      “What are you going to do with her?”
     
      “Wear her, apparently, if she won’t relinquish my