Free Twilight with the Infamous Earl by Alexandra Hawkins

but you still befriended me. I never told you how much I appreciated your kindheartedness.”
    Although Emily was touched by the marchioness’s words, it just added another layer of doubt and complication to her muddled feelings. “I often worried that you considered me more of a nuisance than a friend.”
    “Never.” Regan cast a discreet glance at the doorway. “I hope your leaving has nothing to do with the fact that my husband and I caught you kissing my brother.”
    Emily’s shy smile faded as shame burned throughout her entire body at the thought that her brazen behavior had been on display for anyone to observe. How could she have been so reckless?
    “You saw us?” she asked, wishing the conflagration of her mortification would simply turn her into a pile of ash that could be swept away.
    “As we made our way upstairs.” Regan moved closer and whispered, “I do not wish to speak unfavorably of my brother. Nevertheless, I feel obligated to warn you that he is quite the scoundrel.”
    “Compliments, brat?” Frost said mockingly as he followed Lord Pashley into the parlor. “You astound me. It is so good to have the support of my family.”
    An awkward silence settled in the room.
    Without meeting the earl’s knowing gaze, Emily hastily uttered her farewells and left the room before anyone thought to stop her.
    *   *   *
    Regan’s shoulders slumped with the burden of her guilt. “Frost—”
    “Spare me,” he snapped, ruthlessly cutting off her apology. He glanced at Dare. If he had seen pity in the gent’s face, he would have punched him. “Well, that was an exceedingly unique experience. Usually, when I kiss a lovely wench, she doesn’t flee from the room.”
    Sighing, his sister sat down on the sofa. “Out of fairness, Emily Cavell deserved to be warned. You are a scoundrel. And few ladies can resist you when you decide to be charming.”
    “Why thank you, brat.” He sat down beside her and pressed a kiss to her temple. “However, you should credit your friend with more intelligence. She seems immune to my charm.”
    It was perverse of him, but it only made him want to kiss her again. Whether she was willing to admit it or not, she had liked kissing him.
    “Clever girl,” Dare teased.
    He grinned at his brother-in-law. “Care to wager on it, gent?”
    “No wagers,” his sister protested. “I consider the lady a friend.”
    Frost shrugged, content to let the matter drop. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Even so, Miss Cavell has not seen the last of me.”
    *   *   *
    With a polite smile pasted on her face, Emily stood beside her mother for the next two hours in the ballroom while she discussed gardening and the proper sauce for halibut with several ladies. During that time, three gentlemen had approached the group and invited her to dance. Much to her mother’s disapproval, she had refused all offers. She explained apologetically that she had sprained her foot, and the lie left the gentlemen’s pride intact while it spared her a long lecture from her mother. In truth, she had been worried that if Lord Chillingsworth noticed that she was dancing, he might approach her again. Thankfully, he had kept his distance. She had only caught a glimpse of him once as he and Lord Pashley had made their way to the card room. Instead of relief, dread pooled in her stomach.
    I kissed Frost.
    Emily shuddered and told herself it was in disgust. Hours later and alone in her bedchamber, she could still feel him. Her lips tingled as if he had branded her. Standing in front of her mirror dressed in her nightgown, she moistened her lower lip and tasted him.
    She had barely spoken a word on the drive home. Her mother and younger siblings managed to carry on a conversation without her. They thought she was weary from their evening out, so when her mother told her to go to bed, Emily kissed her on the cheek and dutifully went upstairs. Mercy had been waiting for her when she entered her bedchamber. The