How to Lie Your Way into a Lady's Heart [EBOOK]

Chapter 1<br>
Ernest Colborne took a deep breath as he looked up at the beautiful, blue, cloudless London sky. The streets were crowded, and the air was crisp and fresh. Ernest allowed his thoughts to wander as he made his way to the gentlemen's club to which he had been invited. He was thrilled to see his oldest friend again, but the excitement was clouded by a bit of apprehension.<br>
The Duke of Stanhope was waiting for Ernest when he arrived at the club. Ernest tried in vain to swallow his remaining nervousness. The difference in their stations was apparent, and it never failed to make him uncomfortable, even though he knew Harry didn't give it a second thought.<br>
"Colborne," Harry said, reaching to give Ernest a hearty handshake. "It is good to see you again."<br>
Ernest's discomfort melted as his friend beamed at him.
"Harry Wilson," he said, grateful for their informal, casual greeting. Harry was more of a brother to Ernest than a blood-related sibling ever could have been, and the duke had long ago insisted that Ernest address him as he would a brother.<br>
"Shall we?" Harry asked, gesturing toward the door of the gentlemen's club.<br>
Once again, Ernest felt nervousness tighten his stomach. He nodded silently and followed his friend inside. To his relief, the two men were greeted as equals when they entered the establishment. It was not much of a surprise; in fact, it happened often. <br>
They did look, at first glance, like actual siblings. It wasn't until you got to know the two men that the differences became apparent. Harry's hair was just a shade lighter than Ernest's, and Ernest's eyes were dark blue, whereas Harry's were a deep, dark green. Ernest was also half an inch taller than his friend, and his shoulders were marginally broader. Still, Ernest felt a sense of relief that no one raised an eyebrow at him when he was in the company of his friend.<br>
The two men ordered drinks. Then Harry looked at Ernest.<br>
"How have you been?" he asked. "How is our beloved William?"<br>
Ernest smiled fondly at the mention of his guardian. William Howley, the Duke of Highfield, had taken custody of him after the tragic death of his parents, shortly following his eleventh birthday, and had loved and treated Ernest as he would his own son.
The elderly duke did not have any children of his own, but he was always affectionate and kind to both Ernest and Harry, and he seemed content to consider them his family. Ernest certainly considered himself fortunate to call the man his second father.<br>
"He is well," Ernest said. "In fact, I just came from visiting with him. I told him that you and I were going to meet, and he told me that he sends his greetings."
Harry grinned at his friend.<br>
"Send him mine, as well, the next time you see him," he said affectionately.<br>
Ernest nodded.<br>
"So, tell me," he said, taking a sip of his drink. "How was France?"<br>
Harry laughed.<br>
"Well, are you not the inquisitive one?" he asked. "Are you in such a rush that you have no time for pleasantries?"<br>
Ernest blushed. Truthfully, he merely wished to hear about his friend's adventures in order to envy them. As a duke, Harry got to see many parts of the world and do a great deal of travelling, which were things that Ernest had never done.<br>
"You have been gone for what feels like forever," Ernest said, taking another sip to avoid his friend's gaze. "You will forgive me if I want to talk less about my boring ventures and more about your exciting travels."<br>
Harry laughed again.<br>
"Well, I certainly did not miss London," he said. "France was beautiful, exotic. Everything that London is not. Truthfully, I wish I could have stayed."<br>
Ernest listened. Though he loved London himself, he would love to visit places like France.<br>
"I broke free of London society's expectations," Harry continued, his expression dreamy. "I found myself while I travelled. Would that I could do that all the time."<br>
Ernest took another drink and smirked playfully at his friend.<br>
"Would that all my problems were so trivial, Wilson," he said.<br>
His tone had been teasing, but Harry's face grew suddenly serious.<br>
"I am sorry, Ernest," he said. "I did not mean to sound so shallow."<br>
Ernest raised his drink glass toward his friend.
"You do not sound shallow," he said, his eyes twinkling. "You sound like a spoilt child."<br>
Harry glared at Ernest, and the two men laughed heartily.<br>
"So," Harry said. "Have you met any interesting women since I have been away?"<br>
Ernest shook his head.<br>
"Did you not just say that there was little of appeal here in London?" Ernest asked with a chuckle. "Besides, I do not attend all the social events like you titled men do."
Harry lifted his glass again.<br>
"Well," he said. "Starting with the ball we are attending this weekend, that will soon change."<br>
Ernest grimaced.<br>
"I can hardly wait," he said dryly.<br>
"Oh," Harry said. "Don't be that way. The one thing London does have is beautiful women."<br>
Ernest sighed. "Beautiful, to be sure," he said. "But how many can boast of more than that?"<br>
Harry raised his eyebrows. "What else is there?" he asked. "What more could a man want, but a beautiful, sweet wife?"<br>
A great deal more, Ernest thought, finishing his drink. Lovely and sweet women swarmed the ton, but he had never met one with whom he could have a meaningful conversation. Even the prettiest of women could be duller than a paperweight, and those types of women simply did not hold Ernest's interest. But it was clear that his friend did not share his sentiment, so he chose to keep his thoughts on the subject to himself.
Harry pulled his watch from his pocket, then hurriedly finished his own drink.<br>
"Oh, my," he said, rising from his seat. "I've let time get away from me."<br>
Ernest frowned and rose as well.<br>
"Am I keeping you from something?" he asked.
Harry shook his head and gestured for Ernest to follow him.<br>
"On the contrary," he said. "I've made us an appointment for which we are running late."<br>
Ernest looked at his friend as they made their way out of the club.<br>
"Appointment?" he echoed.<br>
Harry nodded.<br>
"We are attending the ball this weekend," he said. "So, today, we are going to see a tailor."<br>
Ernest followed his dearest friend down the street with an audible groan. He wanted to protest, but Harry was clearly excited about attending the ball with Ernest, and Ernest loved his friend. He just prayed that he would not regret accepting Harry's invitation.<br>