Earls Just Want to Have Fun by Shana Galen Read Free Book Online Page A

free.”
    She took a moment to think about it. Part of her wanted to scream just to spite him, just to wake the whole house up. But another part of her did not relish being gaped at by the family or being bound. He would do it. She knew that much about him now. “Fine,” she said quietly.
    He set her down, which surprised her.
    â€œWant to try walking?”
    But she was speechless now. Before, she’d been staring at the shiny marble floor, now she looked around her and gawked. The entryway was the most gorgeous room she had ever seen. The ceiling soared and seemed to go up and up and then up some more. An enormous column of stairs spread before them, and that too curved gracefully upward. A chandelier with what looked like diamonds glittered above her. It was not lit, but the lamp left burning on an entry table illuminated its glory. What must it look like when lit? It would be as bright as day in here.
    A long, wide hallway led to other rooms. She peered down it, but she could not see the end. This house was a castle. She turned her head to stare at the bastard. Who was he? Some sort of king?
    He gestured toward the stairs. “This way,” he said quietly and began ascending. She followed, pausing when her feet stepped onto the runner. The carpet was so soft and plush, she all but sank into it. Finally, she began walking again, looking around her as she did. Framed paintings of old men and women, as well as country fields, hung on the walls. When she peered over the stone banister, she saw plants and a large wooden door. The butler she had seen earlier was locking it now. He lifted the lamp and followed them at a discreet distance.
    She had been in the homes of the wealthy. She could scan this house and know immediately what items would fetch the highest prices—silver glim-sticks, a gilt frame, a marble bust—but she had never been in a home like this one. If she and Gideon could pilfer this house, they would be made for life.
    The bastard had reached the landing, and she almost ran into him. He was obviously waiting for her. Now he gave her a knowing look. “Tallying the value?”
    She scowled at him. He had an annoying habit of guessing what she was thinking. “No.”
    He laughed. “One more flight up.”
    â€œHow many floors are there?”
    â€œWouldn’t you like to know? Perhaps I should just leave the doors unlocked and give you the house plans.”
    â€œThat would be helpful,” she agreed.
    He started up the next set of stairs. “Apparently, today I am nothing if not helpful.”
    She followed him to another level, but this one did not require ascending quite so many stairs to reach. At the top, he turned right and motioned for her to follow him. These were bedrooms, she assumed. The doors were closed, and it appeared all in the house were sleeping. How many people lived here? Oh, she knew enough to guess that the servants slept on the attic floor. This was clearly not that level. But how many people shared this enormous house? At any given time there were ten to twelve cubs sharing a space not even the size of the entryway to this house. Did this man live here alone? No…he’d mentioned a sister and a mother. And there was his brother. If Sir Brook lived here, that was four people and all of this space.
    She was amazed and also a little angry. What made him so special that he got all of this when she had to settle for a cramped corner in a cold, wet, rickety building?
    They reached the destination, and he opened the door. It was dark inside, but she went in anyway, not wishing to be carried. The butler, who had been following them, handed him the lamp and murmured something she did not hear.
    The bastard declined the butler’s offer, then closed the door. He went to a table near the door, slid a drawer open, and took out a key. Inserting the key into the lock, he dubbed up and pocketed the key.
    She was alone with him in his