Ten Ways to Ruin

No!

Kissing Kingsley was unthinkable! He was a rake, a rogue, a scoundrel. The exact opposite of everything she wanted in a man. So why did she think she’d kissed him? Oh God, had she slept with him, too?

Slowly, she eased her eyes open and then sighed with relief when she saw the blue and white paper on the walls. Unless Kingsley had the same taste as Louisa, Emma knew she was safe.

Except she had no idea how she’d arrived here.

Emma stared up at the white coffered ceiling and tried to remember what had happened last night. Susan deserted her as soon as she saw her brother in the gaming room. Emma returned to the room and played roulette. Hadn’t she won quite a bit of money?

What happened to her winnings?

A light rap on the door brought her out of her musing. “Yes?”

The door opened, revealing Louisa. “Oh good, you’re finally awake. How is your head this morning?”

“Dreadful,” she whispered, putting a hand to her aching head. “Louisa, what happened? I have no idea how I arrived here.”

“I’m not surprised you don’t remember. Simon told me you drank close to four glasses of whisky before he removed you from Hell.”

“Kingsley brought me here?” Why didn’t he just take her home? Or better yet, have one of his employees do it.

“He thought you needed someone to look after you last night.”

“Oh God, did I kiss him?” Why was she certain there had been some talk of kissing last evening? If only her head didn’t ache so horribly, then she might be able to remember everything. Even as foxed as she’d been, she would never have let her guard down enough to allow him to kiss her.

Louisa laughed softly. “I don’t believe you did. I’m quite certain Simon wouldn’t take advantage of a woman so deep in her cups.”

After witnessing Kingsley with that barmaid in his office, Emma wasn’t quite as confident as her sister. Emma struggled to sit up in the bed without losing her stomach. “Why do you always defend the man?

”

“He is not the man he lets most people see.” Louisa smiled fully. “Simon Kingsley will always have a place in my heart. And he is my husband’s brother.”

Half-brother, Emma thought. The scoundrel half.

A light rap hammered the door in a beat, much like the pounding in her head. Louisa walked to the door and let in a maid with a tray. The smell of food wafted past Emma’s nose, causing her stomach to roil.

“Please, no food for me,” Emma said, clutching her stomach.

“Cook has a wonderful cure for a night of excess,” Louisa explained. “You will have to trust me on this.”

“I’ll eat on one condition.” Emma swallowed back nausea as her sister placed the tray on her lap. “May I please have a bath and change of clothing?”

“Of course. I already asked a maid to go to Mamma’s house and get your clothing.”

Emma’s eyes widened. “Mamma! What did you tell her?”

“Only that you came over to talk and had a headache, so I forced you to sleep here.”

Emma’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Thank you, Louisa.”

“It’s what sisters do for each other.” Louisa walked to the door. “I must check on George now. Please eat and ring the bell when you’re ready for your bath. I’ll have a maid get the water warming.”

Emma forced herself to eat the meal Louisa’s cook provided. After finishing, she decided that her stomach felt slightly better. She rang the bell for her bath. As the footman came in with the tub and water, so did Harry.

“How are you, Emma?”

“Better than I expected,” she said with a smile. “The food helped more than I thought it might.”