Page 28 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

’Twas true. Despite their opposite personalities, Kat adored Beth with all her heart. And maybe, just maybe, she was hard on Beth because she secretly wanted to be more like her. She kissed her cousin’s cheek.

“The men have arrived and are in the drawing room,” Aunt Justine said.

“Our carriage awaits.” Beth swirled her hand overhead.

Kat smiled as she linked arms with Beth. Thereupon, they followed Justine out of their chamber.

Mere moments later, Kat’s high spirits plummeted. “Do you think Lord Greyson will be at the theater?” she asked as they navigated the corridor to the drawing room. And if he was, would he again threaten her? Confront her in public, outing her indiscretion?

Aunt Justine halted to face them. “Remember, neither of you, for any reason, is to ever be alone with that man. There are things about him you know not. I wish I could tell you…” A shiver racked her body.

“He is repugnant,” Beth said. “He would think nothing of forcing himself on a woman.”

Aunt Justine opened her mouth, closed it, and frantically waved a hand about.

How awful were the secrets about Greyson if her aunt couldn’t say them out loud? Evan had better get Kat out of this jumble. And did he truly look at her as if he meant to devour her?

Kat might fret too much, and she might be a bit vain at times. Yes, she could be spoiled if she wasn’t consciously being self-aware. But she was not gullible. What did it matter if Evan looked at her with heavy hooded lids and a sensual smirk? He probably looked at all women like that. She was nothing special—just a tally in his long line of conquests.

Stars, she was dramatic. Stolen kisses and fondling were not the same as conquests—that would involve so much more—sliding into his bed and crawling beneath his firm body. Inhaling his scent. Moaning his name in the throes of passion…

The cleft between her thighs tingled—and that was unacceptable. She needed to cease the wanton inclinations.

Aunt Justine’s strides long, and her footfall now heavy, Kat and Beth struggled to keep up with her as she headed to the drawing room and Evan. Make that Alexander. Evan Eaton was only there to torment Kat.

Once they reached their destination, Aunt Justine exhaled an exceedingly loud huff. “Lord Greyson is the devil and worse.”

What was worse than the devil? Tentacles of fear threaded through Kat’s belly.

“We will stay away from him.” Beth glared at Kat. “Won’t we, Katrina Harrington?”

Kat swallowed. Merciful Jesus, please let Evan do something to protect her and fix their indiscretion before Greyson destroyed her.

As they entered the richly appointed room of peach and mint fabrics and textiles, Alexander, stunningly handsome in a periwinkle blue tailcoat, stood and beamed at Kat.

“How handsome,” he said.

From behind him, Evan Eaton’s gaze settled on her. Traveling the length of her body, his pupils seemed to catch fire. When he finally looked into her eyes, instead of smirking as he usually did, he smiled.

Kat tore her gaze from Evan’s piercing green eyes to stare into the earl’s kind golden brown eyes. “Thank you, Alexander.”

“You look handsome as well, Miss Elizabeth,” Alexander said.

“Since we all look handsome, we should be off,” Beth said.

“I agree,” Evan declared. “We should not deprive Brighton’s elite from witnessing the four of us for one more second.”

He swept his hand along his person. The gesture would have been beyond arrogant, but Evan's laugh and twinkling eyes were filled with good humor.

Kat liked it better when he was an arrogant arse. At least then, she could shower him with disgust. Charming Evan befuddled her.

“Shall we, Miss Elizabeth?” He held out his elbow.

Beth nodded and took the offered escort before peering over her shoulder and mimicking a growl and a scratching claw.

Luckily, Alexander did not seem to notice the absurd gesture. He offered Kat his arm. She accepted as she scowled at the backs of Evan and Beth’s heads.

“Gentleman, I will see you tomorrow afternoon for the cricket match and picnic,” Aunt Justine said as they exited The Crown Jewel. “Ethan has assured me that with the two of you playing for my team, we will win the chalice this year. Last year’s loss was a bit daunting. Mayhap you could take time off the portrait painting to prepare for the day?”