Read Online The Earl's Return (Marriage Mart Mayhem) by Callie Hutton - Free Book Online Page A

mentioned an appointment you were late for?” Redgrave moved his horse in between the carriage and Lord Claremont, blocking the man’s view of Lady Mary.
    “Yes.” She licked her lips. “Yes. You are correct, my lord. I am indeed late for an appointment.” Attempting another smile, she said, “It was wonderful seeing you again, Jeanette. My regards to your father.”
    “Move it,” Redgrave said to Lady Mary’s driver. The duchess eyed Lady Mary with concern and took her hand in hers as the carriage moved forward.
    Redgrave rode alongside the carriage until they reached the end of the park. Lady Mary seemed to have recovered her color, but still twisted her hands in her lap and appeared to shake as if taken with a sudden chill.
    He was loath to leave her, but accompanying her to Manchester House was out of the question. “I will be on my way now, ladies.” He tipped his hat and regarded Lady Mary.
    She closed her eyes briefly and offered him a wan smile. “Thank you.”
    He wanted to say so much more, but this was not the time or place. Nor, in reality, was it his right to question her, anyway. He had no solid reason, but he still felt the need to return to the park and plant a facer on Lord Claremont. With a nod in her sister-in-law’s direction, he said, “Your Grace,” and rode off.
    Still baffled when he returned to his townhouse, he entered the library and poured himself a glass of whiskey. After sipping for a while, staring out the window, and no closer to understanding what had happened at the park, he settled in his chair and reached for the correspondence on his desk.
    The third letter in the pile was from his former father-in-law, Lord Rumbold.
    I desire your attendance immediately.
    Rumbold
    So like the man. No courtesy, no manners, just a demand for Redgrave’s presence. Thinking it was best to get it over with, he finished his drink and asked for his carriage to be brought around.
    He hadn’t seen Rumbold since Priscilla’s funeral. Not that he’d seen him much before that, either. Rumbold led a life of mistresses, gambling, drinking, and other gentlemanly pursuits in London, and Redgrave had stayed at Redgrave Manor, miles from London, the entire length of his marriage and mourning period.
    Redgrave alighted from the carriage and climbed the steps, dropping the knocker on the front door. A young butler answered, looking down his nose. “Yes?”
    “Lord Redgrave to see Rumbold.”
    The door opened wider and Redgrave entered. The last time he’d been in this house was the night his life had turned to hell. He shuddered, remembering the scene.
    Rumbold’s face grew a deep red, spittle forming in the corner of his mouth. “You will marry my daughter. She is with child and it is yours.”
    “I never touched her, my lord. She is lying.”
    Rumbold drew his arm back and slammed his fist into Redgrave’s chin. “My daughter does not lie.”
    Priscilla sat on the settee, a handkerchief dabbing her swollen eyes. The mark on her cheek had him wondering if her father hadn’t rough-handled her before his arrival. She viewed him with teary eyes. “How can you say that? You told me you loved me and that we would marry.”
    Redgrave gritted his teeth. “I am betrothed to Lady Abigail. Our wedding is in a mere two weeks. You know I never touched you, Priscilla. Stop this game. It is not at all amusing.”
    Rumbold sat and opened the middle drawer of his desk. He withdrew a stack of bills and placed them in front of him. “You will take my carriage to Gretna Green tonight. You will be married, and what you do about Lady Abigail is your problem, not mine.”
    “And if I refuse?”
    The man sat back in his chair and regarded him. “How anxious to marry you would Lady Abigail be if rumors reached her ears that you got my daughter with child and refused to do the honorable thing? The sister of a duke?”
    “You would ruin your daughter’s reputation in order to ruin mine?”
    “Her reputation is