Frovtunes’ Kiss by Lisa Manuel Read Free Book Online Page B

from the window. “And my brother? Have you discovered his whereabouts?”
    â€œThe Lazy Hound.”
    â€œGod knows you’re right, Shaun, but that is my brother you’re talking about.”
    â€œNo, the Lazy Hound Tavern. Over on Cheapside. That’s where he is.”
    â€œAh. Come along, then. Let’s go and collect him.”

    â€œOh…roll your leg over, roll your leg over, roll your leg over…it’s better that way! Oh, roll—”
    â€œStop it, Freddy. I’m warning you.” Graham tugged his brother’s arm for emphasis, producing the desired effect, but at the same time causing Freddy to stumble over his own feet. He’d have skidded face-first onto the graveled path if not for Graham and Shaun each having one of his arms slung across their shoulders.
    â€œPardon, your lordship. Don’t like my singing, eh? Miss Ruby Rousseau liked it well enough. Want to know
how
she liked it, Graham, old boy?”
    Graham turned his face to avoid a waft of secondhand whiskey fumes. Earlier, he and Shaun had discovered Freddy thoroughly cup-shot, lying facedown across a littered table in the Lazy Hound Tavern. Red satin dress hitched to her thighs, the famed Ruby Rousseau, in little better condition herself, had sat perched beside him, running her fingers through his tawny hair and humming the same sordid tune Freddy currently seemed so fond of.
    After tossing down a shilling for Miss Ruby’s pains, Graham and Shaun had hefted Freddy by shoulders and legs and carried him out of the dank, putrid-smelling establishment. He passed out during the ride home, regaining consciousness once and only briefly, to hang his head out the carriage door. The street sweeper would be far from pleased when he reached the corner of High Holborn and Oxford.
    Upon arriving home, they bypassed the house and proceeded to the garden, where Graham and Shaun were presently walking Freddy back and forth in the hopes of establishing some measure of sobriety before their mother saw him.
    â€œYou’re a disaster,” Graham murmured as all three men struggled to remain upright where the path circled a birdbath. “Where’s Baxter with that coffee?”
    Shaun squinted over his shoulder. “Looks like refreshments are on the way.”
    Graham followed his friend’s gaze. A small square table had been placed just beyond the terrace doors, and two footmen were now placing chairs around it. “About bloody time.”
    He began to steer his brother toward the house when a maid bearing table linens crossed the threshold from the Gold Saloon inside. With a brisk snap she opened a tablecloth and spread it across the polished wooden table, then began setting out napkins. Hunching over her task, she seemed in a bit of a hurry. A sudden breeze caught one linen square and whisked it from her hands, sending it floating over the flagstones. She scrambled after it.
    Graham went still, arms falling to his sides. That dark coif, those delicate shoulders, the smart little flicking motion in her hips as she bustled after the errant serviette…
    Thud.
    â€œOuch.”
    â€œI can’t manage him all by myself, you know.”
    Turning, Graham witnessed a scowling Shaun struggling to lift a half-sprawled Freddy from the path. Freddy’s legs, incapable of anchoring his weight, wobbled and gave way with each attempt.
    â€œSorry.” Graham tugged his brother relatively upright. By the time he looked up at the terrace again, the dark-haired maid had vanished, replaced by a redhead carrying cups and a coffeepot.
    â€œShaun,” he mumbled as a nagging sensation took hold, “I must be in love.”
    â€œWhy’s that, m’lord?”
    He ignored Shaun’s flippant use of his title. “I’m beginning to see the lady everywhere.”
    â€œBig brother’s in love, is he?” Freddy’s knees buckled as giggles racked him. Graham and Shaun traded