Twilight ​with the Infamous Earl (Lords of Vice 7.) 1 csillagozás

„You saw us?” she asked, wishing the conflagration of her mortification would simply turn her into a pile of ash that could be swept away.
„As we made our way upstairs,” Regan moved closer and whispered. „I do not wish to speak unfavorably of my brother. Nevertheless, I feel obligated to warn you that he is quite the scoundrel.”
„Compliments, brat?” Frost said mockingly as he followed Lord Pashley into the parlor. „You astound me. It is good to have the support of my family.”

„There is little to address,” she said lightly. „If I recall, I was about to leave and join my family when yoursister came upon us.”
„While we were kissing,” he said bluntly.
…
„We had already finished.”
The corners of his mouth curved into a knowing smile. „I was not quite finished. I was just giving you a moment to recover.”
Such arrogance!

She and Emily entered the parlor, with Regan capable of holding both sides of the conversation. Neither lady gave any thought to the gentlemen. Frost wondered if they were even allowed to join them.
He started to follow, but Dare caught him by the arm.
„You might want to wait,” he said enigmatically.
„Why should I?”
Dare's pointed glance at the front of Frost's trouser had him reaching for – Christ, no! He covered the proof of his waning arousal with his hand. Had Emily noticed?
„Splendid. No wonder Emily was gaping at me as if I possessed two heads!”
Dare burst into a fit of laughter.

„Stop whining,” his brother-in-law said cheerfully. „It is your fault for kissing Miss Cavell in the corridor. Usually you are discreet.”
„I am discreet. My intentios was to question her, not kiss her,” he said , and then recalled that he had never ruled out kissing. He did not believing in denying himself, and now that he had kissed Emily, he wanted to do it again. „She was taking slices out of me with her sharp tongue. Kissing her was a clever defense.”
Dare nodded, understanding lighting his gaze. „You did not anticipated liking it, eh?”
„I always like it, Dare. I just didn't think I would like it that much,” he confessed grumpily.

„You cannot speak me thus.”
„Why do you persist in tempting me to prove you wrong?” Together they started up the front walk. „Or is it that you secretly desire my touch?”
„No,” she exclaimed a little too vehemently. „Do you know what you are, Lord Chillingsworth?”
„You have figured me out?” he asked, sounding impressed. „ Quick, clever and utterly kissable when you are vexed – I might have to marry you afte rall.”
Her stomach fluttered like a jar filled with moths. She refused to allow him to unbalance her again. „You are spoiled. You call your sister a brat, but I believe the nickname aptly applies to you.”
„Pet names for me, too?” he teased. „Next you will be begging for my kisses.”

„I still don't understand why you didn't-?”
„Bed your sister? While it pains me to tarnish my rather notorious reputation as a first-rate scoundrel--I couldn't.”
…
„It is inappropriate to ask, but I must know--why couldn't you? Lucy was so beautiful.” Emily could have flogger herself for reminding him of her sister's beauty.
A small, selfish part of her was so jealous that Lucy had the pleasure of meeting Frost first that she did not know whether she could bear it if he agreed with her.
Tenderness softened the harsh lines in his face. „Isn't it obvious, Miss Emily Cavell… I was waiting for you.”

"Frost!
„There is no time to argue, love. I assure you, once your father learns your whereabouts, he will feel honor-bound to collect you.”
„My father will not be pleased with either of us if he finds me in bed with the most infamous Lords of Vice of all.”
„Don't fret. I intend to ruin you most thoroughly. When I am finished, he will let me keep you.”
„Your arrogance is astounding,” she muttered as he carried her down the stairs.
…
He kissed her on the nose. „For the rest of the evening I will be happy to demonstrate that some vices are worth the surrender.”
„Ah, my favorite lesson,” Emily said, her hazel eyes shining up at him with love, joy and laughter. „Lead on, my beloved scoundrel.”

Perhaps in sympathy for their upset friend, Bishop and Lily began to cry. Sophia rushed to her daughter's side while Dare dealt with his son.
„Is this a drawing room or a nursery?” Frost wondered aloud, but no one was paying attention to him.
As the children sobbed, and the adults tried to calm them, Frost watched, realizing that he was the one who did not fit the quaint family gathering. Somewhere along the way, his friends had moved on without him when they married and started their families.
He was part of their lives, but no longer one of them.
…
„Are you just going to stand there gathering wool?” Dare demanded, his frustration penetrating Frost's dark musing. „A little assistance would be welcome.”
Frost smirked. „I think not, dear brother. This is when I will quietly take my leave. Please, carry on with your evening without me.”

„I say, congratulations are in order,” Frost said, raising his glass of wine to the couple. „A toast to Catherine and the healthof her unborn child. May the son possess the temperament of his sire!”
Saint grinned, looking ridiculously pleased with himself. „Frost, only you could make a toast sound like a bloody curse.”

„Did you ever think you'd ever witness the day that Sin was bested by a child?” Saint asked as he approached Frost. In his hands, he had two glasses of brandy. Thankfully, he was willing to share.
„Never.” Frost accepted the glass and took a sip. „Though to be honest, Sin's expertise lay in chasing skirts rather than little boys. Do you know what you are getting into?”