Free To Tempt an Earl by Kristin Vayden Page B

exasperated
and furious.
    "Don't choke, Graham. After all, if you're not afraid, why so adamant? And yes, I do believe delicate
is the correct word for this subject, or woman ." She took a
few steps forward, her smile fading into concerned pinch in her
brow.
    Bloody hell, it was the look of pity.
    Anything but pity.
    "I want to see you settled. You yourself even
said this was the season. There's no way you didn't notice the
girl, Edward. I watched you. I saw your expression. Don't let a
little bit of age difference and an irritable duke stand in the way
of what could be life-changing."
    "I have no idea as to what you are
referring," Graham replied succinctly, biting the words as they
came from his mouth.
    Wishing that it truly was as simple as his
sister had said. But she hadn't been there when Clairmont had
confided in him. And even though his sister knew him well, she
didn't know him that well, and if she did, she certainly
wouldn't be suggesting that he pursue the purity of Bethanny
Lamont. No, she'd be protecting her from him. That knowledge
alone was enough to remind him of his place, of his necessity in
staying away from her.
    But oh, if she didn't tempt him, then nothing
in this world ever would.
    "I appreciate your sentiment. Truly. However,
all is not as you expect, dear sister. You might think differently,
but you are not omnipotent, and in this, you are mistaken." Graham
bowed, turned on his heel, and left.
    His sister's silence echoed louder than
anything she could have ever said. She'd known he was lying, just
as easily as he'd known the lie himself. And if he'd known she'd
never believe him, why had he done it?
    The truth was far more frightening than the
possibility of admitting his feelings. Because the truth was, he wanted to lie to himself, but the problem with lying to
oneself is that one never truly believed it.
    Even if one wanted to.

CHAPTER SIX
     
    Graham called himself ten kinds of fool as he handed his card to the butler while he
waited outside the duke's residence. He hadn't even planned to make
a call. It all had started out as a walk to clear his head, and
being near Hyde Park had necessitated that very park be the one
he'd ambled through. However, after that amble, his clarity of mind
had not improved, so he'd continued walking, and had found himself
across the street from the duke's residence.
    Just as Lord Neville was allowed
entrance.
    It was well-known that Neville was a recluse,
and if he was visiting the residence of the duke, he had a bloody
purpose in mind.
    And all Graham could think of was that the
purpose in mind was to court Bethanny.
    Which was a wretched idea. She'd never be
happy with the likes of someone like him. Of course he didn't
rationalize why . Simply thinking it was enough, and
soon he found himself knocking on that very door, swearing in
Italian as he waited for the butler to return.
    "Lord Graham, please follow me," Murray spoke
in his mild manner.
    Graham nodded and soon was led to the red
salon. Upon entering, all other details faded into the background
as searched for her.
    "Lord Graham." Her melodic voice reached his
ears a fraction of a second before his gaze found hers. She was a
queen holding court with a room full of suitors, all vying for her
attentions.
    "Miss Lamont." He bowed crisply.
    "Would you care for some tea?" Standing, she
walked over to him, her gaze illuminated as if harboring a
secret.
    A secret he shared.
    Immediately his irritation melted like a
spring snow, and he felt himself grinning.
    "Not at the moment, but I thank you," he
offered, his tone dropping slightly.
    As if realizing the intention of his tone,
her cheeks blossomed with color, adding to her already-staggering
beauty.
    Graham's grin widened.
    "Won't you please…" She paused, glancing
around. Every chair was occupied with a hopeful swain. "Excuse me a
moment. I'll have Murray fetch a chair." She rallied quickly.
    "No, there's no need, Miss Lamont. I'm
needing to speak with His Grace.