Read Online Miss Carlyle's Curricle: Signet Regency Romance (InterMix) by Karen Harbaugh - Free Book Online

conversation was indeed the most peculiar she had ever had with anyone, but somehow her irritation was mixed heavily with a certain exhilaration. She had never traded quick and spirited words with a man before; her conversations in London had always been awkwardly constrained or excruciatingly polite. Indeed, she noted in surprise, the awkwardness she had felt when she first met this new Lord Brisbane had disappeared.
    “You are smiling, I see,” he said. “But I assure you, no one has ever accused me of being odd.”
    “Really?” Diana could not help chuckling. “I am surprised, my lord.” She continued walking to the house.
    He frowned suddenly, falling into step beside her. “Now
that
is a problem—I am not at all used to being called ‘my lord.’ It makes me feel quite strange, and is no doubt an explanation for my behavior—if, as you say, it
is
strange.”
    Diana gave a snort of laughter, only half suppressed when she pressed her hand over her mouth.
    “Indeed,” he continued, “every time I hear it, I am hard-pressed not to turn around and look for someone much older and more dignified than I.” He smiled as suddenly as he had frowned and said, “However much I might seem strange to you, in the interests of not being as much of a stranger, I would be honored if you could call me Gavin, cousin.”
    She was silent for a moment while he opened the door of the house for her. She felt a little uncomfortable, but he was a cousin, however distantly related, and she felt she should make up for her earlier presumption. She nodded and stepped through the doorway. “Very well . . . Gavin. And you may call me Diana.”
    He gazed at her intently for a moment then smiled. “Diana it is, then. Thank you.” And he entered the house behind her.
    They had not gone but two steps into the hall when a door opened at the top of the stairs and Mrs. Carlyle appeared.
    “There you are!” she exclaimed upon seeing them, and descended the stairs. “I have been searching for you, Mr. Sinc—that is, Lord Brisbane.”
    Diana grimaced. “I am sorry, Mama, I forgot that you wished to speak to him—I met him at the carriage house. I should have requested he speak to you immediately.”
    Mrs. Carlyle nodded, then hesitated before saying, “My lord . . .”
    The earl smiled as he bowed over her hand. “Please, Mrs. Carlyle, the title sits ill on me. I would be pleased if you could call me Gavin.”
    Mrs. Carlyle smiled then continued. “Gavin, then. I have been meaning to ask you . . . it is very awkward, for we have no real claim upon you. But if you would be so kind as to let my daughter and me stay for perhaps a month or two, at least until we can find another place to stay, before we leave—”
    Gavin’s brows rose. “Leave? Must you? I have been looking forward to your showing me how to go on, for I know none of the servants, as I am sure you must. Indeed, I am a lazy fellow, and would prefer to have as little to do with the running of the household as possible. I was hoping you—and your daughter—would stay and act the hostess for me until such time I acquire a wife.” He glanced quickly at Diana, then returned his gaze to Mrs. Carlyle.
    Mrs. Carlyle looked, puzzled, from Diana’s heated face to Lord Brisbane, then said, “Are you looking about you for a wife, then?”
    He grinned. “Not particularly, for I believe I have found one that I would like very well, but the set of her mind is such that it will be a while before she can even begin to see me as a prospective husband.” Diana shot him a fulminating look, and wished very much to box his ears.
    “Well, you are an earl now, with property, so perhaps that might help persuade her.”
    “Alas, no, I have found that such things have little value for the lady. I believe character is of more importance to her.”
    “I suppose it is well that she looks for virtue in a husband rather than property,” Mrs. Carlyle replied, “but she must not be very