Ten Things I Love About You Read Online Free PDF Page B

he might be able to read the page facing him. His eyesight had always been freakishly sharp.
    But not, apparently, sharp enough. The
London Times
used ridiculously small print. Still, he tried. The headlines were legible, at least.
    Edward set down the paper and gave him a look. “How bored
are
you?”
    Seb drank the last of his tea. “Oh, terribly. And you?”
    “Quite a lot, since I can’t read the newspaper with you staring at me.”
    “I’m that distracting?” Seb smiled. “Excellent.”
    Edward shook his head and held out the paper. “Do you want it for yourself?”
    “Gad no. I was trapped into a conversation with Lord Worth last night, all about the new excise tax. Reading about it would be only slightly more pleasant than plucking out my toenails.”
    Edward stared at him. “Your imagination borders on the macabre.”
    “Only borders?” Seb murmured.
    “I was trying to be polite.”
    “Oh, you should never do that on my account.”
    “Clearly.”
    Seb paused for just long enough for Edward to think that he’d let go of the conversation, then said, “You’re getting quite dull in your old age, whelp.”
    Edward quirked a brow. “Which makes you …”
    “Ancient but interesting,” Sebastian answered with a grin. Whether it was the tea or the fun of baiting his young cousin, he was starting to feel better. His head still hurt but at least he didn’t think he was going to ruin the carpet. “Do you plan to attend Lady Trowbridge’s affair tonight?”
    “Up in Hampstead?” Edward asked.
    Seb nodded, pouring himself another tea.
    “I think so. I haven’t anything better. And you?”
    “I do believe I have an appointment with the lovely Lady Cellars on the heath.”
    “On the
heath?”
    “I’ve always enjoyed the wilderness,” Sebastian murmured. “I just have to figure out a way to get a blanket into the party without anyone noticing.”
    “Apparently you don’t enjoy the wilderness in all of its glory.”
    “Just the bits about the fresh air and adventure. The twigs and grass burns I can do without.”
    Edward stood. “Well, if anyone can manage it, it’s you.”
    Seb looked up, surprised and perhaps a little bit disappointed. “Where are you going?”
    “I have an appointment with Hoby.”
    “Ah.” He couldn’t keep him, then. One did not disappoint Mr. Hoby, and one most certainly did not get between a gentleman and his boots.
    “Will you be here when I return?” Edward asked from the doorway. “Or do you plan to go home?”
    “I’ll probably still be here,” Sebastian replied, taking one last sip of his tea before lying back down on the sofa. It was barely noon, and he wouldn’t need to head home to get ready for the Ladies Trowbridge and Cellars for hours yet.
    Edward gave a nod and departed. Sebastian closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but after ten minutes he gave up and grabbed the newspaper.
    It was too damned hard to sleep when he was alone.

Chapter Three
    Later that night

    S he couldn’t marry him. Oh dear God, she couldn’t.
    Annabel dashed through the darkened corridor, not caring where she was going. She had tried to do her duty. She had tried to behave as she ought. But now she felt sick, her stomach churning, and above all she needed air.
    Her grandmother had insisted they attend Lady Trowbridge’s annual affair, and after Louisa had explained that it was a bit out of town, all the way in Hampstead, Annabel had been looking forward to it. Lady Trowbridge kept a splendid garden, opening right up onto Hampstead’s famous heath, and if the weather was fine, she’dlikely put out torches and decorations, allowing the party to move out of doors.
    But before Annabel could explore beyond the ballroom, Lord Newbury had found her. She had curtsied and smiled, acting for all the world as if she were honored by his attentions. She had danced with him—twice—making no comment when he stepped on her foot.
    Nor when his hand had moved to her bottom.
    She had