Read Online The Earl's Passionate Plot by Susan Gee Heino - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Susan Gee Heino
Ads: Link
produced the obligatory heir, then you can go out and start looking for someone to make you happy. Personally, I'd suggest you just find a devoted bulldog instead."
Ned helped himself to another plate of cold meat off the sideboard and shrugged.
"I just don't see why you dislike women so much, Dovey."
"I don't dislike women. I like women very much, as a matter of fact. What I dislike is what Chadburne men become when they attach themselves to women. For you, at least, I have hope that the cycle might be broken."
"I'll do my best for you, old man. You've always been good to us, putting me through school when you were barely out of it yourself, and looking after my Mum and my sisters. I suppose the least I can do is marry this American chit and do right by the family name."
"Well said. Now don't gorge yourself here or you won't have any room for our picnic. I'm sure Miss Vandenhoff won't appreciate having to eat alone today."
Nor would she appreciate dining al fresco , or sitting on the ground, or taking sun, or taking chill, or being carried in a litter like a damned Egyptian princess, or any number of things Dovington could imagine. How Miss Langley would manage to get the girl to go along with their plans he had no idea; he only hoped she would accomplish it somehow. Everything hinged on a favorable meeting between the two young people, and Dovington would be damned if he let a little thing like Ned's impulsive request for a picnic ruin his matchmaking plans.
Perhaps he ought to take Miss Langley into his confidence, to convince her how important this was. He could probably find her alone somewhere and hint that easing the way between Ned and the heiress might be in her best interests. Then he could hint at a few other things that might be in her best interests, too.
Chapter 9
"Be sure you take your wrap with you," Mamma was saying as they scurried around gathering the various supplies needed for comfort on their impromptu picnic.
"Yes, mother. I have everything."
"Then why are you frowning?"
"Because it's just that... well, I'm a bit concerned, I suppose."
"About Miss Vandenhoff?" Mamma glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was nearby as they helped the kitchen staff wrap food for the hamper.
"Yes, how did you know?"
Mamma sighed. "Because I've met Miss Vandenhoff, I'm afraid."
"I just have no idea how to encourage the match between her and the earl. It seems she is eternally contrary. Whatever will cause him to wish to marry her?"
"Oh, I think the man is likely desperate enough to marry even someone like her," Mamma went on in hushed tones. "He'll take her no matter how disagreeable she makes herself. She, on the other hand, is the one you will have to convince."
" By encouraging her to view the earl favorably? I've certainly tried that, Mamma, but I've exhausted the one or two virtues I've been able to detect in the man. For the life of me I can't imagine what could possibly induce either of them to rush into matrimony."
" It is quite the quandary. I fear we will soon need to consider other options. I hold little hope this outing today can produce tender emotions in either one of them."
Poor Mamma. She appeared very down, indeed . Mariah mumbled an encouragement and patted her on her sloping shoulder.
"It will all work out, Mamma" she assured. "It simply has to, right? In the meanwhile, don't worry so much. I'll think of something for them."
But Mamma wasn't reassured. She shook her head and sighed heavily. "I can't help but think it would be good for you to concentrate a bit more on yourself, my dear."
"Myself? Have I overlooked something that needs tending?"
"I mean that you should consider what you will do if this scheme to get the earl married doesn't go as we hope."
" I will find us a new place to live. Don't worry, Mamma. If Miss Vandenhoff rejects the earl, I doubt her parents will wish to let the house. Dovington may still try to throw us out of it, but at least we will have
Ned helped himself to another plate of cold meat off the sideboard and shrugged.
"I just don't see why you dislike women so much, Dovey."
"I don't dislike women. I like women very much, as a matter of fact. What I dislike is what Chadburne men become when they attach themselves to women. For you, at least, I have hope that the cycle might be broken."
"I'll do my best for you, old man. You've always been good to us, putting me through school when you were barely out of it yourself, and looking after my Mum and my sisters. I suppose the least I can do is marry this American chit and do right by the family name."
"Well said. Now don't gorge yourself here or you won't have any room for our picnic. I'm sure Miss Vandenhoff won't appreciate having to eat alone today."
Nor would she appreciate dining al fresco , or sitting on the ground, or taking sun, or taking chill, or being carried in a litter like a damned Egyptian princess, or any number of things Dovington could imagine. How Miss Langley would manage to get the girl to go along with their plans he had no idea; he only hoped she would accomplish it somehow. Everything hinged on a favorable meeting between the two young people, and Dovington would be damned if he let a little thing like Ned's impulsive request for a picnic ruin his matchmaking plans.
Perhaps he ought to take Miss Langley into his confidence, to convince her how important this was. He could probably find her alone somewhere and hint that easing the way between Ned and the heiress might be in her best interests. Then he could hint at a few other things that might be in her best interests, too.
Chapter 9
"Be sure you take your wrap with you," Mamma was saying as they scurried around gathering the various supplies needed for comfort on their impromptu picnic.
"Yes, mother. I have everything."
"Then why are you frowning?"
"Because it's just that... well, I'm a bit concerned, I suppose."
"About Miss Vandenhoff?" Mamma glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was nearby as they helped the kitchen staff wrap food for the hamper.
"Yes, how did you know?"
Mamma sighed. "Because I've met Miss Vandenhoff, I'm afraid."
"I just have no idea how to encourage the match between her and the earl. It seems she is eternally contrary. Whatever will cause him to wish to marry her?"
"Oh, I think the man is likely desperate enough to marry even someone like her," Mamma went on in hushed tones. "He'll take her no matter how disagreeable she makes herself. She, on the other hand, is the one you will have to convince."
" By encouraging her to view the earl favorably? I've certainly tried that, Mamma, but I've exhausted the one or two virtues I've been able to detect in the man. For the life of me I can't imagine what could possibly induce either of them to rush into matrimony."
" It is quite the quandary. I fear we will soon need to consider other options. I hold little hope this outing today can produce tender emotions in either one of them."
Poor Mamma. She appeared very down, indeed . Mariah mumbled an encouragement and patted her on her sloping shoulder.
"It will all work out, Mamma" she assured. "It simply has to, right? In the meanwhile, don't worry so much. I'll think of something for them."
But Mamma wasn't reassured. She shook her head and sighed heavily. "I can't help but think it would be good for you to concentrate a bit more on yourself, my dear."
"Myself? Have I overlooked something that needs tending?"
"I mean that you should consider what you will do if this scheme to get the earl married doesn't go as we hope."
" I will find us a new place to live. Don't worry, Mamma. If Miss Vandenhoff rejects the earl, I doubt her parents will wish to let the house. Dovington may still try to throw us out of it, but at least we will have
Similar Books
