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

grateful. He often lied, but never to himself.
    There was a first time for everything.

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    Lord Chillingsworth was the man called Frost.
    In mind-numbing disbelief, she sat next to the man’s sister—an older girl she had liked and secretly admired for her courage to stand up to her tormentors—while she struggled to maintain her composure.
    Why does it have to be him?
    Shouldn’t she have sensed that the charming, beautiful man who had swept into her life was the devil in disguise? And then there was Regan. How could she share blood with such a heartless creature?
    “How did you meet my brother?” Regan asked.
    Emily’s attention switched from the doorway, where she only caught a glimpse of Lord Chillingsworth’s elbow, back to his sister.
    “Ah, well…” She cleared her dry throat. “A man was selling his stepdaughter on the streets after her mother died, and I found myself in a bit of trouble when I interfered. Your brother’s timely arrival prevented anyone from getting hurt.”
    “My brother has always loved a good fight,” she said candidly. The affection for her older sibling was evident. “And he abhors bullies.”
    Emily absently nodded as she glanced again at the doorway. Lord Pashley laughed, but she was too far away to overhear Lord Chillingsworth’s response. “He even took responsibility for Katie. He said that he knew someone who could help her.”
    Regan’s reaction put to rest any lingering concern that she might have held for Katie. “He must have approached Catherine for assistance.”
    “Your brother did not divulge names.”
    “Catherine is the Marchioness of Sainthill. The lady has some interesting friends,” Regan confided, her emerald-and-diamond earrings glittering as she tucked an errant curl behind her ear. “Her husband is one of Frost’s friends.”
    “Is he one of the Lords of Vice?” she asked bitterly. In hindsight, the nickname suited the man called Frost perfectly.
    “Yes, as is my husband,” she added, noting her friend’s frown. “I am surprised my brother mentioned it. Since Hunter’s marriage to Grace, he has been rather cranky about the whole subject.”
    “Why?”
    “All of his friends have married,” she simply said. “He is the last remaining bachelor, and I often wonder if he feels obligated to maintain their reputation. Dare and the others have considered shutting down Nox, but Frost won’t even consider it.”
    Emily’s eyes widened at the club’s name. “Nox?”
    “When Frost and his friends were younger, they managed to get blackballed from most of the clubs so they started their own. To fund it, they opened a gambling hell. It’s quite successful,” she said proudly.
    Good heavens! “I am certain it is.” Emily did not know if she could endure another surprise this evening.
    Lord Chillingsworth and his friends were connected to Nox. Why had no one told her? A few weeks ago, when she had condemned the gambling hell to a small group of ladies, everyone had agreed with her. Some of them had even offered their assistance in helping her find a way to shut down the notorious club.
    “I need to leave,” Emily said abruptly as she stood.
    “What?” Regan looked disappointed as she rose from the sofa as well. “It has been years since we have seen each other. Now that I know you will be remaining in town, I want to introduce you to my friends.”
    “You are too kind,” Emily said, immediately regretting how dismissive she sounded.
    “Not really.”
    Her eyes widened in astonishment at the marchioness’s admission.
    Noting Emily’s expression, Regan elaborated, “When Frost banished me to Miss Swann’s, I was angry, hurt, miserable, and defiant. Most of the girls either hated me or feared me.” Her friend’s blue eyes misted as the memories of that period in her life assailed her. “Nina and Thea eased my loneliness, but then there was you. When we first met, I could tell that you were appalled by my behavior,