The Earl of Her Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page A

too smooth.” A thumb brushed her lower lip, and she could do nothing but stand there frozen, her body a statue in the hands of a master carver.
    “You have beautiful long lashes, a generous mouth, and your stride is definitely feminine. Also your clothes are not those of a tailor’s apprentice. To the casual observer, you may not be noticed in this garb, but on any closer inspection, you would never pass as a boy. Not by anyone of discerning intelligence. Two points deducted from the innkeeper and every other man in residence. You are far too fey.”
    Kate took a step back, her heart beating even faster, and his hand dropped from her chin, his thumb from her lips. “What do you want?” Her words came out on a breath. She studied the worn red and blue rug on the floor before remembering the danger of not keeping her eyes on the man before her.
    He shrugged negligently, but there was a gleam in his deep blue eyes and a dangerous set to his chiseled features. “Nothing too extraordinary, I assure you. I merely wish to stay in this room for the night.”
    “Neither of us wanted to room together before you knew my gender. Now that you know I am a female, surely you can see the impropriety?”
    “The impropriety exists now, where it didn’t exist before?”
    “No. Yes. You know to what I refer!”
    He leaned against the bedpost. “I don’t believe I do. Enlighten me.”
    “If you were a gentleman, you would see the dilemma.”
    “Ah, but I never claimed to be a gentleman.”
    She narrowed her eyes and swiped the ceramic pitcher from the floor. “Surely anyone as discerning as yourself could tell that you are anything other than what you claim.”
    His eyes narrowed, and she congratulated herself on wiping the arrogance from his face.
    “And just what do you mean by that statement?”
    “Goodness, sir, who dressed you ? The blacksmith’s apprentice?”
    She gave him credit. He didn’t so much as peer down at his clothes.
    “ You mock my clothes?”
    “Those aren’t your clothes.”
    “I’m wearing them, aren’t I?”
    “Badly.”
    His eyes narrowed further, and she thought she detected a hint of outrage. She would never have taken him for a dandy. Great, that was all she needed.
    “I’ll have you know, these clothes look fine. I even received a gracious offer from a ratherlusty-looking blonde in this very establishment.”
    “Daisy? From what I’m to understand, you shouldn’t feel quite so special about it.”
    Black smoothed down his shirt and cocked a brow. “Did you receive an offer, maiden?”
    Kate blinked. “I’m just going to forget you asked me that. Now could you please just leave? Find somewhere else to stay?”
    She nonchalantly tried to put the pitcher back in place, but it wobbled a bit.
    His smile returned in force. Perfect white teeth, full lips, straight aristocratic nose, the corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement, dark rakishly arranged locks…she wasn’t at all surprised Daisy had made an offer.
    “No. I want to stay here with you. If nothing else, you will prove amusing.”
    Kate bristled, even though she knew she was fueling said amusement. “Mr. Black, or whatever your name is, you need to find somewhere else to stay. There will be no further discussion.”
    A self-satisfied smile appeared. “You are correct, unless you want me to tell dear Mr. Wicket and his staff that you are not Mr. Kaden after all.”
    Kate went cold. “You wouldn’t.”
    “And why wouldn’t I? You are denying me aplace to sleep, after all. And you did suggest I was anything but a gentleman.”
    Kate swallowed. “Fine. Take the room then. I’ll find somewhere else to stay. Perhaps with one of the servants.” But she knew that was not an option. The staff had been doubled up and even tripled because of the additional servants the guests had brought with them. The small post town was overflowing for the holidays. The Wickets’ nine-guest-room inn was packed to the brim.
    “No need to do