Read Online Twilight with the Infamous Earl by Alexandra Hawkins - Free Book Online Page A

sister. Why was she so surprised that he had a sister? Granted, the resemblance was subtle, but she was looking at him as if he had been hatched by chickens.
    “Oh, how are you? I love your dress. Which shop did you use? Will you be staying in London for a few months? Oh, goodness, I cannot believe it is you!” Regan babbled on.
    “Nor I.” Emily nodded and smiled as she decided which question to address first. She noticed Dare standing behind Regan and must have thought it was too rude to ignore him. “Is this your husband?”
    “Yes.” His sister extended her hand to Dare, and he joined his marchioness. “Emily, may I present my husband, Lord Pashley.”
    His friend took Emily’s hand and bowed. “A pleasure, Miss Cavell. Our friends call me Dare,” he said, clearly amused by his wife’s joy over discovering an old friend.
    “Emily,” she said easily, and Frost was tempted to kick his friend for his gallantry.
    “How did you meet my sister?” Frost inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him. Although the Cavell surname was vaguely familiar to him, he could not recall his sister playing with a girl named Emily.
    Regan and Dare’s arrival had given her an excuse to ignore him, but she could not avoid replying to his question. “Miss Swann’s Academy for Young Ladies. She was four years older, but Regan’s exploits were legendary and an inspiration to the other girls.”
    His sister grinned cheekily at him. “You are kind to say so, Emily, but I highly doubt the other girls were inspired by my antics. In fact, I was in trouble so often Miss Swann ran out of punishments.”
    Before Frost could press her about the punishments she had failed to mention, Regan grabbed Emily by the hands and said, “Let’s go into the parlor and chat awhile. I have so much to tell. Do you recall Nina and Thea? They are in town. We must plan an outing!”
    She and Emily entered the parlor, with Regan capable of holding both sides of the conversation. Neither lady gave any thought to the gentlemen. Frost wondered if they were even allowed to join them.
    He started to follow, but Dare caught him by the arm.
    “You might want to wait,” he said enigmatically.
    “Why should I?”
    Dare’s pointed glance at the front of Frost’s trouser had him reaching for—Christ, no! He covered the proof of his waning arousal with his hand. Had Emily noticed?
    “Splendid. No wonder Emily was gaping at me as if I possessed two heads!”
    Dare burst into a fit of laughter.
    Frost groaned and pressed his fingers against his eyelids. He chuckled, still able to appreciate the humor of his predicament. “Do you think Regan noticed?”
    “Fear not, old friend. It was barely noticeable, and the ladies were distracted.”
    “Now you are just being cruel,” Frost said, disgruntled.
    “Stop whining,” his brother-in-law said cheerfully. “It is your fault for kissing Miss Cavell in the corridor. Usually you are discreet.”
    “I am discreet. My intention was to question her, not kiss her,” he said, and then recalled that he had never ruled out kissing. He did not believe in denying himself, and now that he had kissed Emily, he wanted to do it again. “She was taking slices out of me with her sharp tongue. Kissing her was a clever defense.”
    Dare nodded, understanding lighting his gaze. “You did not anticipate liking it, eh?”
    “I always like it, Dare. I just didn’t think I would like it that much,” he confessed grumpily.
    “Tread carefully, gent. She’s Regan’s friend and an innocent.” His friend held up his hand to silence Frost from issuing an angry retort. “Ravishing innocents brings a man nothing but trouble. Besides, if you break Emily’s heart, you will earn your sister’s wrath.”
    “I can handle my sister,” Frost replied with confidence. “And I have no plans to bed Miss Cavell. The kiss was an aberration. I will keep my hands off her.”
    Dare grunted but did not offer his opinion.
    Frost was