Sapphires Are an Earl's Best Friend Read Online Free PDF

in drink and a Byronic malaise.
    “I haven’t stopped her yet,” Andrew said. “But I will.”
    “How gallant of you to do all of this in honor of your mother. The sole motivation for me is desire for a woman.”
    “I have no interest in Lily.” Andrew drank again. “She reminds me of my sister.”
    Flynn’s brows rose. “You will have to introduce me to your sister.”
    Andrew narrowed his eyes. Flynn would not be allowed within five miles of his sister. “Not in appearance, in my feelings for her. The Countess of Charm has always struck me as the kind of woman I want to pat on the head and tell to run along and play.”
    “Has she, now?”
    “I have never thought of her in any sort of carnal fashion.”
    “Haven’t you?”
    Andrew drank again, surprised his glass was empty so quickly. “I suppose I might have thought of her carnally once or twice. She is a woman.”
    “An attractive woman and a courtesan. She’s said to be a favorite of the prince.”
    Andrew clenched his fists. He had always detested that rumor. “That is simply rubbish. She would never share the prince’s bed.”
    “Wouldn’t she?”
    Andrew slammed his glass on the table. “Stop questioning me.”
    “Questioning you? Why, I believe every word you’ve spoken, old boy.”
    “No, you don’t.”
    Flynn drained his own glass. “You’re right. I think you are lying through your teeth.”
    Andrew would have thrown his gin in Flynn’s face, if he’d had any remaining.
    “Don’t look so Friday-faced, Darlington. I want to believe you. Trouble is, you’re not all that convincing.”
    “You can go to hell.”
    “Oh, I will. No doubt on that score. But since I am already damned, let me offer you some advice.”
    “ You are going to offer me advice?”
    Flynn nodded and signaled for another round. “I understand completely if you do not take it to heart.” Two more glasses arrived, courtesy of the barmaid, and Andrew drank immediately. He was going to need a great quantity of gin to listen to this.
    “First of all, Juliette was never going to fall in love with you.”
    “She doesn’t concern me any longer.”
    “Yes, she does, and I’m telling you to forget her. I didn’t know her, but our paths crossed. I’ve met the Duke of Pelham a few times as well. If Pelham is the sort of man she likes, you had no chance. You two couldn’t be more different.”
    “I shall take that as a compliment.”
    “You should. I could never drink with a man like Pelham. He would annoy me in less than a quarter of an hour. Secondly, you and the Countess of Charm would suit.”
    “Lily and me? How far in your cups are you?”
    “Have you ever looked at the chit? Have you ever noticed the way she watches you?”
    “We are discussing Lily, correct? She has no such feelings for me. In fact, tonight she was rather cool.”
    “That’s because you were being a horse’s ass, which, by the way, you have been ever since you returned to Town.”
    Andrew shook his head. “I don’t have to listen to this.”
    “No, you don’t.” But Flynn was the one who rose. “You’ve annoyed me enough for one night. It took you three-quarters of an hour, which is better than Pelham.”
    “At least I have that consolation.”
    Flynn grinned and swayed.
    “You had better sit before you topple over,” Andrew told him.
    Flynn waved a hand. “I’m going to hail a hackney and tell the driver to surprise me.” He lurched out.
    “Good luck finding a hackney in this hellhole!” he called. The tavern’s other patrons quieted and gave him stony looks. Andrew grinned. “No offense, of course.” He pushed his gin away. He had better be able to walk out on his own. Flynn wasn’t really going to hire a cab and tell the jarvey to simply drive. Was he?
    And the more Andrew pondered the idea, the more he liked it.

Three
    The evening had gone well, despite Darlington’s best efforts, Lily thought the next morning as she broke her fast. She sipped chocolate in