Read Online Kathryn Caskie - [Royle Sisters 02] by How to Engage an Earl - Free Book Online

Lords as well.”
    Lord Lotharian poked a bony finger into the air. “But our gel here is the true victim of this scandal, not he nor his sainted mother. Proof of the gels’ heritage was stolen and hidden away by his blackheart of a father. She did nothingwrong by trying to retrieve that proof. It is her birthright, I say.”
    “No, my lord.” Anne came slowly to her feet. “Slipping into his bedchamber to steal a cache of secret letters from the Prince of Wales to Maria Fitzherbert, no matter what they might prove, is a crime. I could have been flung into Newgate! Instead MacLaren, as unbelievable as it might seem, protected my honor.”
    “He might have done so, but I am certain he did not do it purposely. He was sotted.” Elizabeth said matter-of-factly. “I am of the belief he was too foxed to react to what was being said just then. Honor, yours or his own, likely never entered his brandy-soaked mind.”
    “No matter, whether we like it or not, my name is now connected with the Earl of MacLaren.” Anne raised her left hand and held it before Lady Upperton’s mottled nose. “This is his grandmother’s ring, Lady Upperton. His mother wished that I, his betrothed, would wear it.”
    The old woman seized Anne’s hand and brought the ring closer to her eyes. “Dear gel, you cannot keep this.”
    “Neither can I seem to remove it—nor theglove now, for that matter.” Anne sighed and reached out with her free hand to give the ring one more tug, before turning her gaze to the Old Rakes. “I should have known when you three bade me steal the letters this night, that one way or another I would be shackled.”
    “Again, I must offer my counsel once more. Marrying the earl is not such a tragic fate, my dear,” Gallantine interjected.
    “Marrying the earl is not an option. Our betrothal is folly.” Anne exhaled in frustration. “You speak as if he actually wishes to marry me. He doesn’t! Nor do I wish to marry him. Please, let us not speak of this again. I just want this ring off my finger. Now.”
    “Oh, sister, do not be so theatrical.” Elizabeth snatched up Anne’s hand and tried twisting the ring off herself.
    “It will not be removed.” Anne jerked her hand back. “You are only making my knuckle swell—”
    “It will come off,” Elizabeth countered. “When we return to Berkeley Square, we will just cut it off with Mrs. Polkshank’s boning knife and be done with it.”
    “My finger?” Anne narrowed her eyes. “Orthe ring, Elizabeth? For I am afraid I cannot allow either to be severed without risking imminent death.”
    “Neither, you silly goose, the glove .”
    Lilywhite cleared his throat. “However we decide to remedy this betrothal problem, we must do it soon. Lord MacLaren has informed me, as well as Anne, that he intends to call this very eve to set the situation to rights.”
    “Time is of the essence, it seems.” Lotharian clapped his hands loudly, startling everyone to attention. “Lady Upperton, will you take on the task of devising a congenial end to Anne’s betrothal to MacLaren?”
    Lotharian did not even wait for the old woman’s reply before turning to Elizabeth. His eyes twinkled with a mischievous gleam. “Elizabeth, dear, I know your cook is extraordinarily skilled in coaxing information from footmen. Will you please ask Mrs. Polkshank to ascertain whether the MacLaren house staff will be off duty tonight? I have heard that Lady MacLaren is generous to the staff in this way after a grand gathering.”
    Elizabeth nodded blankly.
    “Lord Lotharian, why must you know thewhereabouts of the MacLaren house staff?” Anne could not mask the suspicion in her voice. “You are planning something, aren’t you? Why, it is plain in your eyes.”
    “My eyes?” Lotharian laughed.
    “If your scheme involves…” Anne narrowed her gaze at the old man as it suddenly occurred to her what he might be thinking. “Oh no . I will not enter the earl’s bedchamber again. I will not