Read Online Surrender to the Earl by Gayle Callen - Free Book Online

Buckinghamshire was only the next county. But Audrey felt the same way. She might not be able to “see” it like everyone else, but she had Molly to describe things, and she could experience the world her own way. After all, there were new sounds and smells, things that were very important to her. And she had Molly, for without her . . . Audrey hadn’t even considered what she would do if her faithful friend didn’t want to go.
    By midmorning, the first trunk was packed, and they were sorting through the “maybe” pile for her last trunk.
    Molly stopped speaking in mid-sentence, then said uncertainly, “Good morning, Miss Collins.”
    Surprised, Audrey turned, wishing she could read her sister’s expression. “What can I do for you, Blythe? Isn’t it strange that we’re both packing for a trip?” Oh, now she was babbling. Of course it was strange—Audrey was never allowed to go anywhere. And she certainly hadn’t intended to sound sarcastic.
    She smelled her sister’s jasmine perfume as the woman drew closer.
    “I think you’re making a terrible mistake.” Blythe’s voice trembled.
    Molly said, “I’ll just leave you two—”
    “No,” Blythe interrupted. “This won’t take long, and Molly, even you must agree with me. Audrey doesn’t know him. If she won’t listen to me, can’t you talk sense into her?”
    Molly didn’t answer, and Audrey thought it unfair to put her maid in the middle. “Blythe, I haven’t married him yet. I have time to change my mind.”
    “But he’s a stranger!”
    “Every person at dinner last night either knew who he was, or had heard of him. He’s not an unknown stranger, anyway. It’s not as if he could take me off somewhere. People know what’s happening between us.” Which was why Lord Knightsbridge had been right, that he couldn’t just escort her away. It would have caused not only talk, but alarm.
    Blythe still sounded tight with disappointment and anger, but was there also a touch of concern there? Audrey wanted to hope so, but she’d been disappointed so many times before.
    “Blythe, I wish . . .” Her words faded for a moment. “I wish this didn’t hurt you.”
    Blythe didn’t even attempt to deny it. “Well, it does. It’s just not fair.”
    “I know,” she whispered. For just a moment, she wished she could confide the truth in her sister, that she wasn’t marrying the earl, but if that knowledge got to their father . . . she’d be trapped there forever.
    “How do you make these men feel sorry for you?” Blythe asked in a bewildered voice.
    Audrey heard Molly inhale swiftly, and she herself felt defensive. Calmly, she said, “Blythe, do you remember that I was lied to by Mr. Blake? He never felt sorry for me. He used me and betrayed me.”
    There was a taut silence, and then Blythe suddenly whispered, “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
    That was progress, Audrey thought, beginning to feel hopeful. “And as for Lord Knightsbridge . . . if I thought for one moment he felt sorry for me, I would send him on his way. But why should he, Blythe? Why should my condition matter to him at all, if he has feelings for me? He doesn’t owe me anything, especially not pity. I didn’t encourage his interest, but I did not turn him away, either. And if he didn’t have feelings for me, why would he make a blind woman his countess?”
    “I don’t know!” Blythe cried. “But is it not suspicious?”
    Audrey opened her mouth to respond, then closed it. It would be suspicious, if it had been true. But Blythe didn’t know that. “I promise I will consider this engagement very carefully. I’ll be in my own home, and he’ll be in his. I’ll meet people from his village, get to know more about him. Will that satisfy you?”
    “I—I suppose so.”
    Audrey heard a whirl of her skirts.
    “I need to finish packing,” Blythe said.
    “Do you have wonderful plans for when you visit Father’s sister in London?” It was what she always asked