Free To Tempt an Earl by Kristin Vayden Page A

stood.
    "No, no, you're right. You're simply getting
on in years. Why, to be honest, I was thinking the very same thing
last night."
    "Pardon?" Graham asked skeptically, his
expression turning to a deep frown.
    "Last night," his sister hitched a shoulder,
"when you were dancing with Bethanny. You did seem quite…
fatherly."
    "WHAT?" Graham felt his jaw drop.
    "You were quite… stoic. I've never seen you
act in such a way with such a beautiful woman. My only answer was
that you felt decidedly paternal."
    "Damnation."
    "You're quite vulgar this morning. I'd thank
you not to curse any more, my—"
    "If you say ladylike sensibilities, I
might lose what breakfast I ate." Graham rolled his eyes.
"Father-like? Paternal? I don't even know what to say."
    "I was simply offering my observations." His
sister shrugged slightly then raised her hand and examined her
gloves.
    "Paternal."
    "You're repeating yourself again."
    "I can't quite believe you said it."
    "Of all the things I've said in my life… this is what you cannot get over? Truly?" Her eyebrows shot
up in shock and derision.
    "Actually… yes," Graham grumbled.
    "Then one must deduct from your response that
your inclinations toward the girl went an opposite direction." A
grin began to tip the upper corners of her mouth, a grin all too
familiar to Graham.
    He had been played. By his sister.
    And he didn't think the morning could get
worse.
    "I have no idea what you're implying." He
strode to the fire and tugged on his cravat.
    "You might be dense, but you're not stupid,
Edward. She is a very beautiful young lady."
    "Who I supposedly have paternal feelings
for," he mocked, his face twisting in a sneer as he glanced to
her.
    "Or decidedly unpaternal feelings… perhaps
the feelings of a potential suitor?" she asked, a delighted gleam
in her eye.
    Graham wanted to poke her in that blasted
eye.
    "Have you lost your mind?" Graham spun and
faced her, calling her bluff and hoping he hadn't exposed just how
close to the truth she was.
    "No, I'm quite certain I'm in full possession
of my faculties. You, dear brother, are the one I'm
questioning."
    "I, how could, why…" Graham took a deep
breath and turned away from his sister.
    "Sputtering always implicates you, Graham.
You might as well admit it." His sister shrugged.
    Shrugged, as if what she was implying
wasn't damning. Or potentially ruining of a lifelong
friendship.
    "I admit nothing," Graham spoke through
clenched teeth.
    "Admission is not necessary for it to be
true."
    "I still do not see why I must pay a call on
her this morning," he replied after a moment.
    "Uncomfortable with the topic at hand? Is a
change in conversation necessary? Hmm?" His sister's gaze narrowed
in delight as her lips bent into a knowing grin.
    "Actually, if you remember, that very
question was the first that began this whole demented
conversation."
    "Demented? I fail to see how that adjective
applies." She raised her chin a notch.
    "Demented. Dear sister, most conversations I
partake of that include you often include that very adjective."
    "I'm insulted," she huffed.
    "But not shocked." Graham grinned.
    His sister's eyes narrowed, and if the two
siblings had been younger, he no doubt would have seen her stomp
her foot and growl. However, her irritated expression fazed into a
knowing one.
    Graham knew that expression. Whatever she was
thinking was not good.
    At least, not good for him.
    "You're afraid," she challenged.
    "Of what?" Graham scoffed.
    "A deb."
    "That's… you mean to say… I cannot… won't
dignify that statement with a response." Graham sneered and turned
away.
    But stopped when his sister began
clapping.
    "Pardon?"
    "I'm applauding you," she replied as he
turned an annoyed glare to her.
    "For? Or dare I ask?" he replied tightly.
    "You finished an entire sentence after your
stammering. You've come quite a long ways. I know how difficult it
must be for you to lie about something so… delicate."
    "I—I—" Graham sputtered, fully