Wed Him Before You Bed Him Read Online Free PDF Page B

don’t envy your being the heir.” He leaned back on his elbows. “Has Charlotte even had her come-out?”
    â€œNo.” David pulled his cravat askew and mussed his hair.
    Giles laughed again. “That’s probably why Page wants to fob her off on you. She must have turned out ugly indeed, if he thinks that even her fortune won’t buy her a decent husband.”
    â€œThe thought did cross my mind,” David said tersely. He had a vague memory of what Charlotte used to look like—carrot-red hair that stuck out everywhere, freckles, and long limbs that enabled her to run as fast as any boy. Now she was probably some gangly spinster with no breasts, a frightful face, and not a feminine bone in her body.
    â€œI’m expecting you to help me, Giles. Tell her what a bad fellow I am, how I lose money at cards—”
    â€œI can’t say that with a straight face,” Giles protested. “You mostly win. When you gamble, which isn’t that often.”
    â€œFine. Then tell her about my wild living and my women.”
    â€œI’m not going to talk about that in front of Father, for God’s sake,” Giles said. “He’ll have my head for it. He’s always raging about you and your friends spending so much time in the fleshpots.”
    â€œAnd I plan to spend a great deal more before I let myself be caught in the parson’s mousetrap.” He was too young to marry, damn it!
    Though if he were honest with himself, the fleshpots were growing tedious. Although he still bedded his shareof barmaids and whores, he found them rather boring lately. Outside of their obvious talents, they had nothing to offer in the way of interesting conversation.
    Not that he would admit that to his friends, or his younger brother, who already fancied himself quite the ladies’ man. David had a reputation to uphold, after all.
    Besides, it really stuck in Father’s craw to see his son gambling, drinking, and whoring his way through London. A grim smile touched David’s lips. Father valued discretion, even while “discreetly” risking the family’s assets with reckless investments. David didn’t see how that was any different from gambling. At least he never risked more than he could afford.
    â€œIf you’re that scared of Father,” he told Giles, “just talk about my bad qualities when he’s not around.”
    Giles thrust out his chin. “I didn’t say I was scared of him. Besides, you’re taking care of the problem yourself by using whisky as a cologne. Although I still don’t understand why you’re not just drinking the stuff.”
    â€œBecause I’m not going to give our fathers a chance to coax me into doing something stupid while I’m drunk, like getting Charlotte alone. Then all she’d have to do is kiss me and wait for them to burst in upon us. Next thing you know, I’d come out of my stupor to find myself married.” He rumpled his coat. “They’re not going to catch me unawares, damn it.”
    At least sip some, so she can smell it on your breath.”
    â€œGood idea.” He swigged a healthy gulp.
    â€œI take it you’re not worried about Father’s reaction to your subterfuge.”
    â€œHe’s lucky I’m even showing up to greet them. Refusing to do so was my first plan…until I realized that hecould twist that however he liked to his advantage. Let’s see him try to smooth this over.”
    David checked his appearance in the mirror. He looked downright seedy. If that didn’t scare the chit off, nothing would. He caught sight of Giles rummaging through his drawers. “What are you doing?”
    â€œI was thinking about borrowing your dressing gown, since mine is a rag and we’re expecting company.” Being only a year apart, they were nearly the same size, though David was a couple of inches taller. “Then again, perhaps I