Kathryn Caskie - [Royle Sisters 02] by How to Engage an Earl Read Free Book Online

of her son’s shoddy introduction of his betrothed to society until it gleamed like sterling.
    It did not seem to disconcert Lady MacLaren that at least a dozen of London’s finest had witnessed the event unfolding. Her truth was the one her guests would retell—or risk the cut direct from London’s premier hostess.
    Anne had never seen such unabashed self-assurance in a woman as she saw in Lady MacLaren. How she wished she could be so confident! But as the minutes passed, and the countess finally left her side to browbeat everyone into agreeing with her version of this night’s betrothal tale, Anne began to realize that, oddly enough, she was not quite as unnerved by the assiduous notice as she first had been.
    Suddenly her solution became as clear as the crystal goblets she had snatched from bejeweled fingers earlier that evening.
    Yes, all she had to do was feign confidence and pretend she really was the woman the earl loved so well as to offer for her.
    “Miss Royle?” A deep voice hummed in her ear.
    All the courage she had just drawn suddenly trickled from her limbs as she turned and looked up to see the Earl of MacLaren standing beside her.
    “Darling .” The sarcasm in his tone was as thick and cloying as treacle. “Would you care to join me in the library?”
    “The library, my lord?” The sudden dusting of air on her widening eyes stung like sand, sending her lids blinking uncontrollably. “I am sorry, my lord, but I do not believe I care to join you just now. I must assist Lady MacLaren in seeing to the guests—”
    The earl raised a single brow, the same unnerving way he had when he caught her stealing his goblet earlier. “Allow me to rephrase my request. Do join me in the library, Miss Royle. The guests are well-tended.”
    A large, warm hand pressed against the small of her back and nudged her forward toward the passage.
    “Anne!” Just then, Elizabeth managed to reach her side. Her eyes were wild with worry. “Lilywhite desires to speak with you…most urgently.” She gestured to Lilywhite, who struggled to wedge his generous form between the wall and a ring of cackling matrons surrounding Lady MacLaren.
    The earl lifted his possessive palm from her back and folded her arm over his, securing it against his side. “I shan’t detain Miss Royle overlong.”
    Elizabeth scurried around them and tried to block their entry into the passage, but the hulking earl surged forward, causing her to leap from his path. “Please, my lord, won’t you wait but a moment longer? He comes this way.” When Elizabeth saw that the earl paid her no heed, her concerned eyes turned from the earl’s to Anne’s own.
    Anne reached out, just managing to brush her sister’s outstretched hand as they passed her. “No need to fret, sister. I shan’t leave without you. Go enjoy yourself, Elizabeth, for this is a celebration.” She looked meaningfully at her sister. “I shall join you both very soon,” Anne called back over her shoulder as MacLaren pulled her into the passage and trotted her down its length to the dark library.
    Two footmen entered behind them. The shorter of the two, with deep pockmarks pittinghis round face, hurriedly lit the candles in the sconces on either side of a cold fireplace, while the other, tall and lean, illuminated the candelabra upon the long desk near the window overlooking the garden.
    Anne’s heart thudded smartly against her rib cage. Slowly she turned around to look at MacLaren. It was just as she’d feared. His countenance was cold and impassive. His gaze, hard.
    Then he took a purposeful stride toward her. “You and I have much to discuss… my love .”

Chapter 4
How to Excavate Your Own Grave
    “M y lord, you well know that I did not conjure this ludicrous fantasy that I was your betrothed! It was your…your—that depraved Apsley fellow,” Anne sputtered.
    The earl said nothing, which sent her stomach fluttering like a frightened fledgling. “You know I had no