A Regency Christmas Pact Collection Read Online Free

Berks’s desk and leaned his large frame against the back of one of the wingback chairs before him. “You don’t seem at all like yourself. What is the matter with you?”
    Berks narrowed his eyes. His brother knew good and well what this was about. “That girl.” He gestured towards the corridor. “What is that girl doing in my home?”
    Harry and St. Austell glanced again at each other. His brother-in-law shrugged. “Which girl?” he asked.
    “Don’t be obtuse,” Berks growled. They both knew which girl he meant. There was only one girl who shouldn’t be here.
    “Miranda?” Harry asked, his voice tinged with confusion. “She doesn’t mean to be weepy. Truly.”
    “Pippa was much the same,” St Austell commiserated.
    “That Birkin girl,” Berks ground out. The two dolts were being intentionally difficult. As though Berks had meant Miranda! Of all the inept things to suggest.
    “Tessie?” Harry’s brow furrowed. “Well, she’s a very sweet girl.”
    “I will have you know,” Berks nearly seethed, “that I will not have you foist Stalbridge’s castoffs on me, Harrison Casemore.”
    Harry’s face turned slightly red, which only went to prove his intent, and at the same time St. Austell echoed, “Stalbridge’s castoffs?”
    “Why the devil would you say something like that in front of him ?” Harry jerked his head in St. Austell’s direction. “Have you lost your mind?”
    “Miss Birkin and that wastrel Stalbridge?” St. Austell continued as though he hadn’t just been disparaged.
    For a moment Berks had a twinge of remorse. He probably shouldn’t have said all of that. He just assumed St. Austell knew. He assumed everyone knew. “You didn’t tell him?” he asked more softly than he’d spoken thus far.
    “Why the devil would I tell him anything?” Harry barked.
    “Well, I’m quite trustworthy,” St. Austell returned.
    “When you’re not lying about your identity, I’m sure you’re very trustworthy.” Harry glared at their brother-in-law. Then he turned his angry green eyes back on Berks. “ You were the only one I confided in because you’re my trusted brother.”
    That twinge of remorse grew in Berks’s chest.
    “And,” Harry continued, his fingers biting into the upholstery of the chair in his grasp, “I don’t appreciate you blabbering everything to St. Austell, for God’s sakes.”
    “What kind of girl would involve herself with the likes of Stalbridge ?” St. Austell mused aloud, his lips twisted up as though he’d tasted something that had gone bad.
    “The same could be said about any girl who would involve herself with you ,” Harry replied sharply, which only made their brother-in-law smirk. The man had been a notorious rake before he met Pippa. Even then he would have been a better catch than Lord Stalbridge. But maybe just barely.
    “Your sister is quite happy,” St. Austell picked at an imaginary piece of lint on his jacket. “Ask her if you don’t believe me.”
    “Oh, I know she’s happy. It’s the only reason you’re still alive,” Harry returned with a growl in his voice.
    “Enough!” This wasn’t going at all as Berks had planned. He didn’t want to rehash the less than traditional courtship of Pippa and St. Austell. He’d brought the two men in his study to disabuse them of their matchmaking plans. “I’m not happy that you invited people to my home without consulting me first.”
    Harry’s gaze snapped back to Berks. “The girl and her uncle are still grieving the loss of her aunt. Miranda thought a change of scenery would help them through the holidays.”
    “You still should have asked.”
    “Oh for the love of God.” Harry raked a hand through his dark hair. “It’s hardly the first time we’ve had guests for the holidays. If I had any idea you were going to be a chutless arse about it, I wouldn’t have invited them.”
    Was that all there was to it? Miss Birkin and Mr. Pratt were simply trying to get through the