The Accidental Courtesan by Cheryl Ann Smith Page A

slipped, a condition that afflicted her every time she saw his face. She gripped Brenna’s arm and pulled her into a private alcove before he spotted her.
    Facing her puzzled cousin, she took Brenna’s arms and whispered conspiratorially, “The Earl of Seabrook. What can you tell me about him?”
    Brenna shot her an odd look, then peeked around the alcove wall. She scanned the room for a moment, then turned slowly back to Noelle. A crease appeared between her brows.
    â€œThe man you spoke of earlier? The one who has accosted you is the Earl of Seabrook?” Brenna took a second glance. “I don’t see him.”
    Noelle poked her head out and saw the earl in conversation with an ancient gentleman in blue. Thankfully, her unwelcome would-be lover didn’t seem aware of their scrutiny. It gave her a moment to glare daggers in his direction. “He is right over there,” she hissed, and pointed.
    â€œYou are mistaken.”
    Noelle scowled. Did Brenna need spectacles? “In the gray coat. Leaning against the wall.”
    Her cousin smiled and shook her head. “That man is not the earl. He’s the American import everyone has been twittering about. He’s the earl’s English-American cousin, Mister Blackwell, and he is said to be more American than English. He owns a shipyard and, from what I hear, is very wealthy.”
    A stone formed in Noelle’s stomach. An American?
    â€œThere must be a mistake,” she protested. Then the suspicions she’d had about him since their first meeting all made sense: the odd accent, his sun-kissed skin. All the questions that had formed in her head finally came together with a clear explanation. And he’d known of her confusion the first time she called him “Your Lordship.” The cad had failed to correct her even once, knowing she’d mistaken him for the earl.
    She planned to kill him at the first opportunity.
    â€œHe is the man who has taken liberties?” Brenna pressed a gloved knuckle to her mouth in a shaky attempt to hide her smile. It failed miserably. “He is very handsome. I wouldn’t mind him taking liberties with me.”
    It was all Noelle could do not to remove her shoe and launch it at his head. The man was a cad, a rapscallion. He took advantage of her misunderstanding to press his attentions on her, knowing she thought him a titled lord. “He led me to believe he was the earl.”
    â€œWell, he is in line to inherit the title, after Seabrook and his two sons,” Brenna said as she took another peek at the exasperating American. “If you don’t want him, I’ll let you introduce us.” She turned to examine Noelle’s face. “By the flush on your cheeks and seeing how upset you are, I would guess you are more acquainted than you’ve let on to me. How is that, by the by?”
    â€œWe have never been introduced,” Noelle said sharply. Clearly, introductions were not required before he moved on to kissing and fondling strange women. “We’ve bumped into each other twice, and I find him completely without manners.”
    After a moment of silence, Brenna giggled and took Noelle’s hands. “Deny it all you will, but I think, my dear cousin, you are smitten with the seductive American. He has finally broken through my reserved Noelle and melted some of the ice around your heart.”
    â€œI am not smitten. And my heart is not icy.” The protest came too fast, and Brenna snickered. Noelle grimaced. If she couldn’t convince Brenna of her distaste, how could she convince herself? “He is without a single positive attribute to redeem him. He is coarse, crude, and without merit. I have seen feral cats with more charm.”
    â€œI’m crushed, ladies.” A deep, laughing voice startled both women as the American stepped around the wall and into view. “I am usually considered quite charming.”
    Noelle’s