Free The Cheer in Charming an Earl (The Naughty Girls) by Emma Locke

doorframe. Her aunt’s fingers waggled behind her back as if beckoning Elinor to join them.
    Elinor moved into the open doorway so she was visible. “Are you lost, Lord Chelford?”
    When his gaze flicked to hers, she drew a sharp breath. “I seem to be in the right place now.” His warm voice held no hint of the discord between them.
    “My cook keeps a sweet cordial in the pantry,” Aunt Millie announced. She swept past Elinor. “I think I’ll go find it.” The door to the kitchens thumped closed moments later.
    Lord Chelford doffed his tall beaver hat and set it on a hook by the entry. Rightfully, he didn’t attempt to come toward her. “I hope your Christmas passed uneventfully, all things considered.”
    She held her spine rigid and looked down her nose at him with as much imperiousness as she could muster. “You speak like a gentleman yet your actions prove otherwise. If you wish to be a contradiction, you must find some other young woman to torment.”
    He leaned forward. Oddly, he appeared hesitant and somewhat humble. “But I don’t, you see. I don’t wish to be incongruous.”
    Her heart leapt. Did he mean it?
    The possibility that he might be in earnest was too appealing to resist. She eyed him skeptically. “Go on.”
    His lips parted. No sound came forth. His greatcoat churned as he spun on one heel and turned to his left. He touched his knuckles to his lips. Then he faced her again.
    She watched his peculiar dance with apprehension. What was he about?
    “I asked my guests to leave,” he said at last, “so that I might request the honor of your presence at dinner. Mrs. Rebmann is invited too, of course. I assume she is the aunt you spoke of? My cook has become most inventive since the hearth went out. I think you’ll both find the meal enjoyable.”
    “And the company?” She couldn’t nip her impertinence entirely, though she was intrigued by his guileless invitation. Was he afraid she’d reject him?
    “To your liking, I hope.” He took a step toward her. “Please say you’ll come.”
    How easy would it be to refuse him! She could embarrass him as he’d embarrassed her. But when she opened her mouth to decline his invitation, what came out instead was, “Yes.”
    A smile broke across his face. “Good. I had hoped you wou—Well, never mind that. Tonight? Or tomorrow? At your leisure, really. I can make any evening work.”
    “Tonight,” she interposed. “I shouldn’t want to draw out the suspense.”
    His smile broadened. His eyes were merry, as if he were charmed by her. Then they darkened to a ferrous gray. “Elinor…”
    She hugged herself, forming a barricade between them. “Please, Lord Chelford. There should always be a measure of propriety between us.” Now that she knew of his reputation as a rake, she couldn’t assume an attraction on his part indicated affection.
    Slowly, his gaze wandered the length of her, hungry, yet respectfully holding back. Again her heart turned over. Did he see her differently now? A woman, rather than a child? Or was it her own character that had changed? Was she less wonderfully naïve, now that she’d learned how easily her heart could be broken?
    It didn’t matter. She couldn’t allow his kisses to overcome her sense. Not that he had tried to kiss her again. More’s the pity.
    “Right you are, Miss Conley,” he mused in a drawn-out way that sent goose pimples across her arms. “I’ll send a carriage at half five. If that’s not too late?”
    She accepted with a curt nod, enjoying her newfound mettle. “It’s sufficient.”
    “Until then.” He flourished his leg then went to the door. With a sweep of his hat, he let himself out. The door closed quietly behind him.
    “Oh!” Elinor exclaimed. “Oh…”
    The day dragged on after that, as the hands of the clock ambled lazily toward the appointed time. Finally, at half five promptly, she and Aunt Millie ascended into Lord Chelford’s carriage. Hot bricks had been placed on