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

whenever Blythe went away. Normally, it was like rubbing salt in her own wounds, having to live through her sister’s adventures—or the brief crumbs Blythe told her. But not anymore.
    Blythe didn’t answer, and Audrey told herself that perhaps she’d been walking away so fast, she hadn’t heard.
    Just before luncheon, a carriage drove below her window.
    “Molly?”
    A moment later, Molly said, “It’s the family carriage, Miss Audrey. And I saw Miss Blythe as it went by.”
    Audrey sighed. “So she left without even saying good-bye.”
    “I’m sorry, miss.”
    “Don’t be. That conversation might have been one of the best we’ve ever had. I think she was honestly worried about me, beneath her anger. I will write to her when I reach my new home.”
    My new home, she repeated in her head. It felt good.
    L uncheon was cold meat and sandwiches, so that the men could get back outside. The afternoon was for fishing, and Robert might have declined so that he could help Mrs. Blake, but he thought his presence in the house would only exacerbate Lord Collins’s fury. And it had been good to spend time with Mr. Collins, who didn’t seem like a bad chap. He wanted to get to know Robert, too. His protectiveness of his sister was very late, but welcome just the same.
    At dinner, Robert made certain he could sit beside his “fiancée.” More of the men spoke to her, too, as if being a future countess suddenly made her a person in their eyes.
    The evening in the drawing room didn’t last long, as everyone would be getting an early start home in the morn. When the room was at last just family and Robert, Lord Collins started to leave. He hadn’t spoken a word to Robert or Mrs. Blake all evening.
    “Lord Collins, may I have a word?” Robert called, rising to his feet. He noticed Mrs. Blake stiffen.
    Her father came to a stop near the door. “Say it quickly.”
    “Will Mrs. Blake be able to take her gelding?”
    Mrs. Blake tilted her head toward him, but said nothing.
    “No, it’s my horse,” the baron said darkly.
    “Erebus has been trained to carry me, Father,” Mrs. Blake pointed out. “To train another horse could take years.”
    “I’ll purchase it from you,” Robert said flatly, “as my engagement gift to Mrs. Blake.”
    “Father,” Mr. Collins began.
    “Fine! Take it!” Lord Collins said harshly and stormed out into the hall.
    Mr. Collins gave Robert an apologetic glance. “I’ll speak to him.” To Mrs. Blake, he said, “Shall I leave you alone with Lord Knightsbridge?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    Mr. Collins eyed Robert speculatively, then closed the door. Robert sat back down on the sofa beside Mrs. Blake.
    “Thank you for thinking of my horse, my lord,” she said quietly. “In all the confusion of packing up my room, I never thought of the animal.”
    “You deserve to have it, for all the reasons you stated. I want you to be comfortable in your new home.”
    “My new home,” she echoed wistfully.
    They both heard footsteps in the entrance hall again. Robert had a flash of Mr. Collins’s speculation, and suddenly he realized he had to make this look good. He pulled off his gloves, and then cupped Mrs. Blake’s face in his hands, leaning close.
    She gasped and whispered, “What are you doing?”
    He felt the warmth of her breath on his mouth, and was startled by how distracting such a simple thing was. “Your brother looked suspicious,” he said. “I believe he means to test us.”
    “But—”
    “Stop talking, or I’ll have to kiss you to keep you quiet.”
    Her eyes went round, her moist lips parted, and suddenly, he wanted to kiss her. She smelled of rose water, and he inhaled as if he could fill his entire being with it. But he held back, knowing he had no plans to marry her, however soft and warm her cheeks felt in his hands, however prettily she blushed.
    “You have the most beautiful eyes,” he murmured, even as he vaguely heard the door open.
    Mrs. Blake jumped back.
    He