Ménage a Must by Renee Michaels Read Free Book Online

brave. He might not resist, much.” Molly prayed he wouldn’t.
     

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    The woman had gone too far. She’d locked them in like a pair of jailbirds. Molly had been helping the young miss into her night rail when Bess had showed. She’d smirked, daring them to voice a protest as she’d proceeded to lock the door to Annabelle’s bedchamber and the narrow door off the dressing room leading out into the corridors.
    Molly thumped her thin pillow into a mound, shoved it under her head, and fumed. Still dressed, she lay on the uncomfortable cot and waited for the household to settle down. As a lark, her Uncle Mick, who’d been a cracksman, had taught Molly how to pick locks. She intended to slip down to Graeme’s cottage to spend an hour or two in bed with those two virile, inventive rogues. That social-climbing harpy needed a proper set-down.
    Molly sat up when Annabelle poked her head into the dressing room. “Molly, help me get dressed.” She lit the stubby candle on the dressing table, marched over to the armoire and tossed garments out willy-nilly.
    Used to Annabelle’s fit and starts, Molly swung her legs off the bed and shoved her feet into her shoes. She picked up the discarded garments and set them over the back of a chair. “What madcap idea have you come up with now?”
    “I need to talk to the earl.” Pulling her nightgown over her head, Annabelle drew on a chemise and a pair of drawers.
    “Now?”
    “Yes, now.” A combative light burned in Annabelle’s eyes. The mood she was in, there’d be no talking any sense into her hard head.
    “I’m almost too afraid to ask what brought this on?”
    “Priscilla had a self-satisfied look on her face like she’d got the better of someone after the marquis gave her a tour of the rose garden. They’ve come to some sort of agreement, I’d bet my best pair of earbobs on it.”
    Molly was torn, and she’d do anything to send Priscilla’s schemes off the rails, but she didn’t want the reckless Annabelle to ruin her reputation beyond redemption with these stiff-bottomed English.
    “What does the earl have to do with your plan?”
    Annabelle slipped on a pair of house slippers. “I am going to strike a mutually beneficial bargain with him.” Her face was bright with hope and determination. “I am going to ask him to marry me.”
    Not much shocked Molly, but she stared at Annabelle slack-jawed. “Are you addled?” She was a forward-thinking woman but a man still did the asking.
    “Priscilla now has her heart set on me being a marchioness and the marquis is practically salivating at the prospect.” Desperation dimmed the light in Annabelle’s eyes. “My marriage to the earl will be a fair exchange of goods or services. My money to save his estate and I’ll acquire a husband to free me from Priscilla’s machinations.”
    “And swap one warden for another,” Molly felt forced to point out, even though she believed the earl was a reasonable sort. “I thought you were waiting for love.”
    “A girlish dream, Molly. He treats his tenants, staff and horses well. I’m sure we’ll rub along adequately.”
    “I’m surprised you didn’t put his horses first.” Molly’s dry assertion earned her a grin. “We can always find a way to stall Priscilla.”
    Annabelle’s expression changed. It was one of mischievousness and sexual curiosity mixed with a bit of yearning. Well, hell, the girl was half in love with the man and she didn’t even know it. Molly prayed the earl felt something akin to what Annabelle did. She deserved to be loved and cherished. “He kisses well, and knows what to do with his hands.”
    Oh Lord, the girl needed a permanent keeper, she was too adventurous by far. “How many liberties did you allow him to take with you?”
    “Not as many as I would have liked and not as many as I’m going to if he agrees to my suggestion.” Annabelle grabbed a gown and slid it over her head. “Come on, Molly, button me