Midnight Temptations With a Forbidden Lord Read Online Free PDF Page B

the past.
    “Did you know he planned to visit us today?” she asked her cousin.
    “I think he came because he was not present at the duchess’s ball last night.”
    She’d nearly forgotten he was supposed to be there. Perhaps it was better that he came this afternoon rather than finding her in the arms of the marquess last night. What would he think if he learned that she intended to attract the attention of a certain marquess?
    She thought she could tolerate fifteen minutes with the odious Mr. Warren considering everything wonderful that had happened the previous night.
    “Let us get on with it then.” She motioned toward the staircase and they started walking in the direction of the parlor.
    “He’s not so dreadful as you make him out to be.” Genny defended him far too often.
    One of Charlotte’s brows rose in disbelief. “You don’t seriously believe that, do you? He’s always arguing with me and pointing out my flaws. I’m sure if we married he’d see more reason to criticize me.”
    “He’s come into the Fallon estate quite unexpectedly, so he has a lot on his mind. Be kind to him, Charlotte. He’ll come around when things settle in his life.”
    Why did her cousin side with him at all? Was it because she’d never found a husband and had been a companion for family members since her last failed season? It was understandable that her cousin didn’t want the same thing for Charlotte, but unfortunately that was not how Charlotte felt—she quite liked the idea of being free, of making her own decisions.
    “I’ll call for tea and sandwiches,” Genny said. “That’ll give you a moment of privacy. Endear yourself to him, Charlotte. I know you can if you put your mind to it.”
    She didn’t want to endear herself to that man in any way—she wanted him very much out of her life. Charlotte reached for her cousin’s hand before she could make arrangements with the kitchen. “You’ll sit with me before long, won’t you?”
    “Yes, once the tea is prepared.” At Charlotte’s distressed expression, Genny added, “The parlor door will remain open while I make arrangements, of course.” And before Charlotte could grab her cousin again, Genny was heading away from her and toward the kitchens.
    She took a deep breath and mentally prepared herself for the battle of words sure to come the moment she stepped into the parlor, and slid the door fully open. She had no qualms about the rest of the household hearing their conversation; maybe they’d understand just how vile a man he truly was and try to convince her father that their match wasn’t worth the trouble it was sure to cause in the end.
    “Mr. Warren. How kind of you to stop by.” She dipped her head as she greeted him. The polite action necessitated by her cousin’s parting words that she try and be civil. “Genny is instructing the kitchen to prepare tea and sandwiches. She’ll join us momentarily.”
    “We’re to announce our engagement soon, so it won’t do for me to not pay you a visit.”
    Mr. Warren stood next to the mantel, his dark, imposing frame overly pressed and too primly perfect. She wished she could roll him down a hill so that he was rumpled and not as well put together—something he’d probably never been in his whole life. He was taller than her by at least four inches and Charlotte had always been tall for a lady.
    There was nothing spectacular about his appearance to set him apart from anyone else of her acquaintance. Perhaps she’d find him handsome if he weren’t such an ass. His hair was a thick wave of brown that looked smeared in soot it was so dark. And though he wasn’t yet an earl, and had probably never expected to be one, Genny had told her on many occasions that she thought him dashing.
    Maybe Genny should marry him.
    His lips were on the thin side, his teeth were brilliantly white, and he had a full smile she did not trust.
    The thought of their engagement still made her face screw up in displeasure;