Nothing but Trouble by Allegra Gray Read Free Book Online Page B

her eyes shut to stifle a yawn.
    Graeme blinked . Her earlier claims had been no lie. She truly was exhausted.
    “Not too far now . We’ll have you home soon, lass,” he reassured her.
    At his change in tone, she tipped her chin up, and the look of longing he saw in her eyes sent a surge of fierce desire and protectiveness flooding his system .
    Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips . He heard the slight catch in her breath, and the desire to protect warred with desire of a very different nature.
    The carriage stopped .
     
     
    Charity blinked and shook her head to clear it , no longer certain she could blame the opium wine for her mesmerized state. No, Lord Maxwell was to blame. There was something about him. She’d felt it the first time she’d met his eye, and every time since.
    T he door opened, and a footman assisted her down.
    Charity’s heart sank —and her head cleared—the moment she set foot on the ground.
    Lord Maxwell’ s carriage had indeed stopped in front of her home—as had another carriage just in front of his, from which her mother, followed by her sister and brother in law, the Duke of Beaufort, had just alighted.
    “Unbelievable,” Charity muttered . She turned back to the carriage, where Lord Maxwell’s frame filled the door. “Did I say I had eight hours to live? Make that about five minutes.”
    “Is something amiss?”
    She motioned for him to remain in the carriage. “The trouble is mine, not yours. You’ve been a gentleman. Now go,” she urged, keeping her voice low. “Hurry.”
    “Charity?” her mother called.
    Charity winced, mouthed “save yourself!” to Lord Maxwell, then faced her family . If only she had something besides her flimsy evening shawl to cover her blasted costume.
    “Charity, who is that you’re talking to?”
    “Too late.” She heard Lord Maxwell’s deep voice just before the sound of his boot hitting the ground behind her.
    She shot him a dirty look . This would be difficult enough to explain without a great hulking man following her.
    “Good evening, Mother . Good evening, Your Grace. Evening, E.,” she greeted her family in a breezy tone. “I was simply thanking Lord Maxwell here for giving me a ride home after my companions became…indisposed.”
    By now she’d drawn close enough to her family for them to register her unusual garb . Lady Medford’s eyes narrowed. “Lord Maxwell.” She inclined her head. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
    Charity suppressed a shiver at her frosty tone . “Shall I make the introductions indoors, then?” This was sure to turn ugly. At least she could usher them off the street rather than act out this scene in front of the neighbors and their servants. She swept inside, not giving anyone a chance to argue.
    As she expected, the small crowd trooped into the house behind her. Once in the salon, Charity made the introductions more thoroughly. “Alex and Elizabeth Bainbridge, the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. Elizabeth is my sister,” she explained. “And Lady Priscilla Medford, my mother.”
    “A pleasure . Graeme Ramsey Maxwell, Earl of Leventhal.”
    The group stood awkwardly.
    “Perhaps we should be going,” the duke offered.
    “Oh, no,” Elizabeth protested, the corners of her lips quirking in amusement . “This is far too interesting.”
    Charity gave her a grateful smile. Growing up, they’d gotten into scrapes together. She was on her own now, but at least her sister wouldn’t totally abandon her.
    “I say . Almack’s has changed their dress code dramatically since I last attended,” Lady Medford challenged.
    “Sarcasm is unbecoming,” Charity shot back. “Fine. We both know I did not attend Almack’s this evening.”
    “Masquerades are terribly fun, don’t you think so, Alex ?” Elizabeth nudged her husband, who shrugged agreeably and headed for the brandy decanter. “What an incredible costume, Charity.”
    “Although your support for your sister is noted and, I’m sure,