An Earl's Guide to Catch a Lady by Tanya Wilde Read Free Book Online Page A

told him they would be good together, so he could not make a wrong move now. He would have to treat her with care and thought, or risk spooking her. But he would not stop until he had her in his bed.
    His jaw tightened. It was time to find out exactly who she was and what she was up to.
    “Join me for dinner,” he said, daring her to refuse.
    “Why?” Evelyn asked defiantly.
    Matthew smiled a knowingly. “Because we both need to eat and I don’t want to eat alone.”
    “Very well,” she conceded. It seemed innocent enough. She could also use this opportunity to learn more about him. “Dinner would be lovely, thank you.”
    Stepping closer, Matthew took her hand in his and placed a gentle kiss on the inside of her wrist. “Until this evening, Evelyn.”
    Evelyn watched him leave with apprehension. She did not believe for one second that his calm demeanor was anything but. She’d seen the predatory look that entered his eyes when she’d said no. Leaving as soon as possible was the only option.  
     

 
    Chapter 4
    At exactly seven o’clock Evelyn entered the dining room, prepared for anything, except the sight of Matthew, freshly bathed and dressed informally, with just a waistcoat and the sleeves of his white linen shirt rolled up to the elbows, revealing strong bare forearms. He stood when he saw her enter and Evelyn tried not to stare at his muscled arms during a breathless moment in which her heart fluttered in her chest.
    “You look ravishing.”
    She nearly snorted, but then she took in their surroundings. Not a nary soul besides the two of them occupied the room and candles illuminated the table in an all too romantic way. Their eyes met. Held.
    “I hope you don’t mind, but they only have beef stew on the menu tonight.”
    “I don’t mind, no,” Evelyn murmured. “I take it none of the other visitors are partial to beef stew then?”
    “Astonishing, I know.”
    An awkward silence ensued as Evelyn took the seat he held out for her, his hand brushing against the back of her neck, causing a trembling sensation to pulse down her spine.
    Matthew was the first to break the silence. “So, do you have any family, Evelyn?”
    “Yes. I have a brother.”
    Her direct answer surprised him and he regarded her intently before he asked, “Does your brother not care that you are traveling alone?”
    “I’m not traveling alone,” Evelyn said innocently. “But even if I were, it would not be any of your concern.”
    His lips twitched. He would let her believe that. For now.
    “What about you? Do you have any siblings?”
    “I am fortunate enough to be an only child,” Matthew replied, but then added, “Although I do have a Dane named Copper.”
    She tilted her head. What an odd thing to say. She tried to imagine him as a boy. She could see him as a little scruffy lad running around the house with dog named Copper. She could not imagine growing up without her brother, Simon. “You named you dog Copper?” she asked, a smile spreading across her face. “What a silly name for a dog.”
    “It seemed fitting at the time,” Matthew said gruffly, entranced by the soft corners of her mouth. “Why are you not married?”
    The question was so sudden Evelyn jerked in response. His eyes observed her reaction like a hawk. Yet in them she could see nothing except blatant curiosity. Evelyn wasn’t fooled. She con-templated how to answer his question. For some reason, she did not want him to know about her dreams of becoming a world renowned traveler. He did not strike her as a man to indulge such desires.
    “I have not met a man I wish to marry.”
    Her meaning was clear.
    “Have you met many men, Evelyn?”
    She shrugged. “I suppose as many as one would expect to meet, Mr. Langdon.”
    “I see.”
    “You see a lot, sir.”
    He chuckled, and Evelyn found herself staring at his mouth. What a marvelous sound. What marvelous lips. She remembered those lips on hers. What marvelous kiss.
    “I see as much as one