Read Online What a Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling - Free Book Online Page A

poured for him.
    After the waiter left, Harry raised his glass. “To Lady Luck,” he said, sloshing his brandy a little.
    Bell exchanged a knowing look with Colin. Clearly, Harry was in his cups.
    “He won a wager in the betting book,” Colin said.
    Harry grinned. “I’m plump in the pocket.”
    “Oh?” Bell said. Harry notoriously had pockets to let.
    “I wagered Prendergast fifty pounds that it would rain three times this week,” Harry said.
    “A safe bet,” Bell said. “Congratulations.”
    “Harry insisted on buying the brandy tonight,” Colin said.
    Bell noted Harry’s glassy eyes. “Generous of you.”
    “Mrs. Hawkins is holding a soiree this evening. I wouldn’t mind a tumble with a disreputable lady of the demimonde tonight.” Harry hiccoughed. “You might find a mistress there, Bell.”
    “Perhaps later. I’m hungry.” Harry didn’t hold his liquor well. Bell figured it would be best if Harry ate something and sobered up a bit.
    Bell caught the waiter’s eye and ordered beefsteak and potatoes for all of them. While Harry was speaking to Colin, Bell quietly instructed the waiter to put the brandy on his bill as well. He wouldn’t take advantage of his inebriated friend. Those fifty pounds were likely Harry’s only funds.
    “Too bad you never met the widow, Bell.” Harry hiccoughed again. “I heard she’s pretty.”
    Colin scoffed. “Is this more false intelligence from your girl cousins?”
    “No. They meant to introduce me, but the widow had already left the ball.”
    “A likely tale,” Colin said. “She’s probably elderly and rotund.”
    “She’s pretty,” Bell said, keeping his expression nonchalant.
    “You actually saw her?” Harry’s eyes widened.
    “I called on her yesterday,” Bell said.
    Harry and Colin exchanged looks. Then they turned to him.
    “Well?” Colin said. “Is she your mistress?”
    “No,” he said. “She’s not that kind of woman.” He’d wanted her fiercely during and just after their kiss, but something she’d said had jolted sense back into his head.
    This cannot happen again.
    Harry hiccoughed once more. “What happened?”
    “I saw her son hiding a flask at Lady Atherton’s ball, and I returned it to Lady Chesfield yesterday,” Bell said. “I thought she ought to know.” He didn’t tell them that he’d shocked her when he’d kissed her.
    Colin snorted. “Righto. I suppose you managed a bit of flirting while you were at it.”
    His hands had roamed all over her, even though he’d known she wasn’t one of those women who casually flitted from bed to bed. Lady Atherton had said it all. She was a respectable widow and not for the likes of a rakehell like him.
    “Her son’s guardian called while I was there.” He told his friends the entire story but left out the kiss. “Obviously we’re not really engaged. Keep that under your hats for her sake and mine.”
    Colin frowned. “No one really knows her, with the exception of Lady Atherton. What if the widow expects you to make the engagement real?”
    “She won’t,” Bell said.
    “How can you be so sure?” Harry asked.
    Bell topped up their drinks. “She made it clear she wished to be rid of me, and I politely made it clear that our brief acquaintance was over. That’s the end of it.”
    Harry sipped his drink. “You’re giving up?”
    Bell set the bottle aside. She wasn’t a challenge; she was a lady. “I can’t give up what I never had.”
    “So you’re saying she’s the sort who expects a wedding ring before a toss in the sheets,” Harry said.
    “She’s a respectable lady,” he said in a terse tone.
    “Right,” Colin said. “Might as well enjoy your freedom for a few more years.”
    “I’ve no intention of giving up my bachelorhood.”
    Harry snorted. “Hah! Cupid will fell you with his arrow one day.”
    “Not a chance,” Bell said.
    “Lifelong bachelorhood appeals to me,” Colin muttered.
    Bell downed his brandy. “Is your family pressing you