Read Online My Brown-Eyed Earl by Anna Bennett - Free Book Online Page A

wasn’t my intention to embarrass you, so much as … to challenge you.”
    She pressed her fingertips to her temple and squinted as though she felt a headache coming on. “To challenge me? I don’t understand.”
    â€œI enjoy sparring with you.” After he’d goaded her so mercilessly, she deserved to know the truth of it. “You’re a worthy opponent, Miss Lacey.”
    Her spine stiffened. “If you want a sparring partner, Lord Castleton, I suggest you find one at Jackson’s Saloon. I am only a governess—and not a very good one at that,” she added, more to herself than to him. “Which brings me to the real reason I wished to speak to you and what I wanted to say earlier, in the coach.”
    Ah, yes. If Will wasn’t mistaken, she’d been on the verge of tendering her resignation. But if he let her leave, then he’d have to hire someone else, and where the devil was he going to find another governess willing to throw herself in front of charging thoroughbreds for the sake of a pair of little hellions? He’d be damned if he’d waste countless hours interviewing scores of bookish spinsters.
    Time to nip her thoughts of resigning in the bud.
    He crossed his arms and said, “If you’ll recall, Miss Lacey, I am the one who summoned you here.”
    â€œYes, but I—”
    â€œCan speak your mind after I’ve spoken mine,” he finished for her. “Fair enough?”
    *   *   *
    Meg bit her tongue and nodded. The earl paced thoughtfully in front of the fireplace, rubbing the light stubble on his chin as he no doubt debated the best way to inform her that he was sacking her. It didn’t really matter whether he fired her or she quit, but she did wonder if there was a limit to how much humiliation a person could endure in one day. Surely, she was nearing the threshold by now.
    â€œThere will be no more incidents like the one that occurred today,” he said smoothly, as if it were just that easy to command it so.
    â€œIt was inexcusable,” Meg agreed. “I should never have let the girls wander off. My carelessness could have resulted in—”
    â€œMiss Lacey,” the earl drawled, “a brief pause is not an invitation to speak.”
    Meg bristled. “No? I rather thought that was how conversations worked, my lord.”
    A smug smile spread across his face, and she realized she had fallen into the trap of sparring with him once more.
    â€œPlease, continue,” she said.
    Lord Castleton inclined his dark head. “In order to avoid a repeat performance, you and the twins shall not depart the house unless accompanied by a footman. Harry will keep a close eye on you during each and every outing. You will not leave this house without him.”
    After a period of silence, during which Meg’s blood heated to a rolling boil, the earl waved his palm magnanimously. “Your turn. I’m sure you have plenty to say.”
    Oh, she did, and most of it wasn’t fit for polite conversation. She took another moment, exhaled, and said, “Allow me to make sure I understand. You want a footman to follow the twins and me every time we go for a stroll in the garden? We are essentially prisoners, allowed to leave the premises only when closely guarded?”
    â€œYou are being rather dramatic, Miss Lacey. This town house is a far cry from Newgate, and I am taking this measure to ensure the girls’ well-being.”
    Meg’s blood bubbled a little more. “You think me incapable of keeping them safe.”
    â€œThe twins attract calamities like dogs’ fur attracts burrs. I doubt any one person can keep them out of trouble, but Harry will lend his assistance by looking out for them. He will protect you, as well, if necessary.”
    The glare she shot at him should have turned him to stone. “I don’t require protection.”
    â€œYou did