Twilight with the Infamous Earl (26 page)

“I would never hurt you,” she protested, visibly appalled at the notion.

“I know. However, it wasn’t just you. It was this business with Halward, Nox, and the unspoken sense of loss I was feeling as my friends abandoned me, one by one.”

“Frost, your friends haven’t abandoned you.”

“I know. It just took me longer to figure it out.” Frost brushed a kiss against her lips.

“Em, does Mother know that Lord Chillingsworth is fondling you in the drawing room?” Cedric asked, standing in the doorway.

“Oh, do go away, Cedric,” Emily said, gazing into Frost’s eyes.

“Heed your sister, puppy,” Frost said, smiling at her. “Now run along.”

Cedric stomped out the room. “Mother,” he shouted. “Do you know what Emily is doing with—”

“Cedric, be a good boy and leave your sister alone. Lord Chillingsworth is in the middle of proposing to our Emily.” Her mother’s voice could be heard from the landing above.

“Welcome to the family,” Cedric muttered, not sounding pleased at all. He stalked off.

“Now you have to marry me, if only to annoy your brother,” Frost teased. “But you have yet to give me a proper answer.”

“Your friends and your club are important to you,” she said, looking much too serious for a lady who had just received a sincere proposal of marriage. “I would not ask you to give your old life up. However, it makes little sense to marry, when Nox and the problems that come with it will always come first with you.”

“If you believe that then you are not listening,” Frost countered. “My friends adore you almost as much as I do, and it is obvious their wives consider you part of the family. As for Nox, it represents a large, maddening, and wonderful part of my life, and I will always have a connection to it. That is not to say that changes aren’t in order. I’ve spoken to my friends, and we’ve decided to take on new members. The club needs fresh blood, and Berus and Lord Ravens can oversee it—though I have yet to share the good news with the gent. This will allow me to concentrate on more important things.”

Something akin to hope lit up her face. “Like what?”

He playfully tapped her on the nose. “You. I have prided myself in not playing by the rules, but no more. I want you to understand how much you mean to me, and I will do anything and everything to properly bind you to me. No special licenses or dashing off to Gretna Green. I want the banns posted, seamstresses summoned to create a special dress for your wedding, and my house prepared for a bride. I want to stand before my family, friends, and the entire bloody
ton
so no one will ever doubt my commitment to you.”

“Frost, it is a lofty promise. Not that I doubt your sincerity. However, no one changes their nature at whim.”

“You’re right.”

Emily tried to climb out of his lap, but he hooked her around the waist and pulled her back where she belonged.

“You consider me as a wild, reckless fellow who will never give up his ways.”

“I never said—”

Frost placed a finger on her lips. “Hush. Well then … there is only one thing to do.” She laughed as he tipped her back until she was lying on the sofa cushions.

He climbed on to top of her, bracing his arms near her head. “I won’t give up my nature.”

Emily’s face fell at his declaration.

“But I am willing to compromise. What if I was only wild and reckless with you?”

Emily’s lips twitched as she tried not to laugh. “It’s a very tempting offer. I would be mad to refuse.”

“Then I am glad we are in agreement.” He stood and held out his hand. “Now come along.”

“Where are we going?”

“Our house. I want you naked in my bed. I want to slip away before your mother decides to invite me for supper.”

When Emily didn’t move, he bent down and tossed her over his shoulder.

“Frost!”

“There’s 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 Lord 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.

“As are my skills as a lover,” he boasted, confident that his soon-to-be bride would agree.

It wasn’t until they reached the bottom of the staircase that Frost allowed her feet to touch the ground.

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.”

Also by
ALEXANDRA HAWKINS

Dusk with a Dangerous Duke

All Afternoon with a Scandalous Marquess

Sunrise with a Notorious Lord

After Dark with a Scoundrel

Till Dawn with the Devil

All Night with a Rogue

Praise for the Lords of Vice novels

Dusk with a Dangerous Duke

“Hawkins’s writing is effortless, free-flowing and very eloquent.”

—
Under the Covers Book Blog

“
Dusk with a Dangerous Duke
was tantalizing and sexy.”

—
My Book Musings

“A satisfying and good read.”

—Rakes, Rogues and Romance

“I could not put
Dusk with a Dangerous Duke
down.”

—Romance Novel News

All Afternoon with a Scandalous Marquess

“I love this series and its decadent heroes.”

—Romance Dish

“A good, solid choice for historical fans.”

—Night Owl Romance

“One of the best in the series.”

—The Good, The Bad and The Unread

“If you love historical romances, then this is a must-read.”

—
Romancing the Book

Sunrise with a Notorious Lord

“Simply spectacular from front to back!”

—
Fresh Fiction

“A clever and passionate story with a plot twist or two that grabs your attention and holds on right up to the wonderful ending.”

—
Romance Junkies

“These Lords of Vice only get more and more interesting as the series goes on. They make sexy and sinful feel like satin sheets you want to roll around in until you’re sated and exhausted.”

—The Good, The Bad and The Unread

“Smart, sexy, and fun.”

—Romance Novel News

“Regency fans will enjoy the bold heroine and rakish hero.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Alexandra Hawkins writes some of the best stories set in the era!”

—Huntress Reviews

“Charming, fun, and sexy.”

—RT Book Reviews

“Hawkins is pure magic that captivates her readers from cover to cover.”

—Romantic Crush Junkies Reviews

“There is never a dull moment when the Lords of Vice get together!”

—Romance Dish

“
Sunrise with a Notorious Lord
is a fun and lively story.”

—Romance Reviews Today

“This book starts on a fast pace and never slows down.”

—Reading Reviewer

“Her Lords of Vice definitely live up to their names.”

—Limecello

After Dark with a Scoundrel

“I absolutely loved
After Dark with a Scoundrel
. It is an amazing read and I could not put it down … I can’t wait for the other Lords of Vice.”

—
Night Owl Romance

“Those sexy Lords of Vice return as another member is caught in a maze of love and danger. Hawkins’s talents for perfectly merging gothic elements into a sexually charged romance are showcased along with the marvelous cast of characters taking readers on a thrill ride.”

—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews
(4 stars)

“A ‘must-read’…
After Dark with a Scoundrel
is a fast-paced Regency historical romance with a new and exciting surprise just about every time you turn a page … as stunning as it is riveting. This story has it all … scorching.”

—
Romance Junkies

“The sparks between Regan and Dare are beautifully written, so that you can almost feel them coming off the pages.”

—
Book Reading Gals

“4½ stars. The intensity between Regan and Dare sizzles on the pages.”

—
Romance Dish

“Ms. Hawkins knows just how to pull the best from her characters to make you care for them, love them, get irritated with them, and all those other delicious emotions we romance readers need in our books.”

—The Good, The Bad and The Unread
(A+)

“Perfect explosion of emotional fireworks blasted off the pages and set the rest of the tone for the book.”

—Romantic Crush Junkies
(4.5 quills)

“Poignant, sweetly romantic, and sexy as can be.”

—Reader to Reader

Till Dawn with the Devil

“
Till Dawn with the Devil
’s romance is first-rate with unusual characters and an underlying mystery that will intrigue readers.”

—Robin Lee,
Romance Reviews Today

“A terrific second book in this series. I had it read in a day and then bemoaned the fact it was over.”

—The Good, The Bad and The Unread
(A+)

“You will devour every sexy and intriguing morsel of this divine read.”

—
Romantic Crush Junkies
(4 stars)

“Hawkins cements her reputation for bringing compelling, unique, and lush romances to fans eager for fresh storytelling.”

—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews
(4 stars)

“Delightful and enjoyed every delicious minute of the book.”

—
Single Titles
(5 stars)

“You will devour every sexy and intriguing morsel of this divine read.”

—
Romantic Crush Junkies
(4½ quills)

“An absolutely tantalizing read!”

—Huntress Reviews
(5 stars)

“Her characters are vibrant, sincere, and will surely steal your heart.”

—
Romance Dish
(4½ stars)

“Alexandra Hawkins is making a splash in historical romance and fans of the genre who haven’t read the Lords of Vice series should sit up and take notice.
”

—The Season

“Promises an intoxicating journey, and delivers with an exciting series of twists and turns that leave the reader disoriented and begging for more.”

—
Fresh Fiction

“Alexandra Hawkins did a splendid job of weaving believable characters, palpable attraction, and a soundly satisfying plot line that will leave you
panting
for more!”

—
Not Another Romance Blog
(5 red roses)

All Night with a Rogue

“Sizzling, smart, and sophisticated.”

—New York Times
bestselling author Gaelen Foley

“Wickedly sensual and entertaining! Alexandra Hawkins is an exceptional talent.”

—New York Times
bestselling author Lorraine Heath

About the Author

An unrepentant Anglophile,
Alexandra Hawkins
discovered romance novels as a teenager and knew that one day she would be writing her own stories. Alexandra has combined her love of English history, mythology, and romance to create sensual character-driven stories that she hopes will touch readers’ hearts. Alexandra lives in Georgia with her husband and three children. You can contact her through her website at
www.alexandrahawkins.com
or by mail at: P.O. Box 2192, Woodstock, GA 30188.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.