Free What a Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling

Ordinarily, that would put him off, but for some reason, he’d gotten hot just thinking about introducing her to new sensual horizons.
    Harry flicked an ash. “I figure the right amount of coin could buy you anyone you wanted.”
    “They all start out biddable,” Bell said. “Then the demands start.”
    “What demands?” Colin asked.
    “Jewels, gowns, perfume, and flowers. They always want more.”
    “They can’t be that bad,” Harry said.
    “The last one transformed the love nest into a pagoda museum. Then she burned the sheets, and the fire brigade had to come,” Bell said.
    His friends burst out laughing.
    “Bell, you are no romantic,” Colin said.
    “No wonder he can’t find a mistress,” Harry said.
    “I have good qualities,” Bell muttered.
    “True. You’re generous with cheroots, brandy, and beefsteak, but I don’t think that helps your case with the ladybirds,” Harry said. “You need to treat them with a little tenderness.”
    “I begin to see why the widow was anxious to be rid of him,” Colin said, laughing.
    Bell rolled his eyes and blew out a smoke ring. “Enough about women. Let’s go to my town house and play billiards.”
    “Brilliant idea,” Harry said.
    Fifteen minutes later, they quit White’s and stood on the pavement waiting for Bell’s carriage. A block away, a curricle with huge yellow wheels jangled to a halt. Three young men stumbled out, laughing. In the gaslight, Bell recognized the one with wheat-colored hair. It was Lady Chesfield’s son.
    “What are you staring at?” Colin asked.
    “See the young buck with the lighter hair?” Bell said. “He’s the widow’s son.”
    “Appears he and his friends are looking for trouble,” Harry said.
    When Justin drank from a flask, Bell said, “Apparently they’ve already found it.”
      
    The next afternoon
    Laura opened a letter from her sister Rachel. They were only one year apart in age and had always been close. Naturally, Rachel chided her for not writing sooner and begged to hear all about London. Laura knew that Rachel would share her letter with all the family, so she decided not to burden them with her son’s troublesome behavior. She would describe Lady Atherton’s ball and the fancy gowns, because her sisters would enjoy that. Her mother and father would be pleased to know that she had become acquainted in person with Lady Atherton at long last. She thought of mentioning Montclief’s call, but she decided against it. Her family knew that Montclief had neglected Justin, and she did not wish to cause them concern.
    She most certainly would not include any news about the Earl of Bellingham. If she happened to see him again, she would greet him in a formal, distant manner. When he realized that she would not fall for his abundant charms, he would quickly lose interest and turn his eyes to more willing women. No doubt he’d already forgotten her.
    The rest of Rachel’s letter was filled with amusing incidents about their neighbors and the local village assembly that had recently taken place. Their sister Judith had played the pianoforte badly, and as usual, she’d beamed at all the compliments she’d received. No one had the heart to inform her that her playing was awful, but that did not matter at a country assembly. Thinking of her family produced a slight ache in her chest. With a sigh, she admitted she’d had such high hopes for her London adventure, as Rachel had called it, but the reality was far different.
    Papa would smile gently and tell her not to waste one of the Lord’s wonderful days feeling sorry for herself. He was right as always. Laura knew that writing to Rachel would bring her cheer. She rose and retrieved the new wooden lap desk and smoothed her hand over the beautifully painted floral border. The center featured flowers and fruit. She’d bought a similar one for Rachel, who loved corresponding with family and friends.
    After she finished the letter, she sanded and sealed it,