Twice the Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page B

grandmama is coming to visit, and she expects to see some refinement burgeoning in my soul if I ever hope to inherit. That’s what she said in her last letter, anyway. Just to frighten me into finding some culture, I think. You said you would help me, Conn. You promised.”
     
      “For God’s sake, Francis, don’t you think it’s a bit late now to try to develop refinement? You had none the entire time we were at Oxford.” And besides, he’d threatened dancing tonight. He needed to follow through with it, or a certain forthright chit would gain even more ground on him.
     
      Francis Henning frowned, the expression furtherrounding his generous cheeks. “Idid have refinement back then. I shared quarters with you.”
     
      Connoll snorted. “Then we’re both sore out of luck, my friend, because I was just today informed that I have no refinement left to my person. Apparently I drowned it in a very large snifter of brandy.”
     
      “Nonsense, Rawley. I saw that stack of paintings in your hallway. You know what you’re about, even if you’re mad enough to travel to Paris for your precious art.”
     
      “Keep that between us, will you?” Connoll cautioned in a low voice. “A confirmation of my travels, whatever the reason for them, could make me very unpopular.”
     
      “I’ll be quiet as a mouse about it if you’ll help me tonight.”
     
      Damnation. “Very well.” He signaled for a glass of claret. The red liquid was not his preferred drink, but on the off chance that the auction ended quickly and he had time to escape to the Gaviston soiree, he would not give Gilly Munroe another opportunity to call him a drunk.
     
      “What about this one, then?” Henning whispered, elbowing him in the ribs.
     
      He shook himself. “Hogarth,” he observed, eyeing the painting as the salon’s employees set it on an easel in preparation for bidding. It was tempting just to concur and be done with it, but he’d given his word. “It’s fine quality,” he said, “but it’ll cost you a pretty penny, Francis.” He looked down the list of items up for auction. “You might hold off until this one.” He pointed at a name.
     
      “William Etty. Is he famous?”
     
      “Not yet. He’s still quite young, but I think you’ll find his work affordable, and a good investment. He has a remarkable eye for color.”
     
      “Splendid, Rawley. You’ll have to make me some notes so I’ll know what to say about it.”
     
      “Yes, well, I can do that tomorrow. May I leave now?” He still had half a chance of arriving in time to take a spot on the chit’s dance card.
     
      “No, you can’t go,” Henning squawked, his soft features paling. “I won’t know how much to bid, or when to drop out—if I should drop out. Or whether—”
     
      “Breathe, Francis,” he interrupted, stifling another frown as he put his watch away.
     
      “For God’s sake, don’t abandon me now, Conn. I’ll have an apoplexy and drop dead, and then I’ll never inherit Grandmama’s money.”
     
      Connoll sank back into his uncomfortable chair. “Very well. But you will owe me a very large favor.”
     
      His friend smiled happily. “I already owe you so many I’ve lost count.”
     
      “I haven’t.”
     
      “Oh.”
     
       
     
      The butler had the bad manners to look annoyed when Connoll arrived at Munroe House shortly after nine o’clock the next morning. “I shall have to inquire whether Miss Munroe has risen yet, my lord,” he intoned.
     
      Connoll nodded. “I’ll wait. A cup of tea would be welcome, though.”
     
      “Very good, my lord.”
     
      The butler showed him to the same room where he’d waited for her yesterday. Yes, it was early, but considering Evangeline’s view of him, he wanted to make it perfectly clear that he did not as a rule stay out all night drinking.
     
      Evangeline Munroe. Good God, she had a mouth onher, which made her the type of woman