Ménage a Must by Renee Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

up.”
    With the ease of practice, Molly fastened the back of the dress. Knowing Annabelle would raise a ruckus if she didn’t help her, she plucked a hairpin from her hair and twisted it to snap it in two to fashion a lock pick. She knelt and manipulated the inner works of the lock until she heard the tell-tale snick when it disengaged.
    “I hope you know what you’re doing. His lordship might find your scheme objectionable.”
    “Of course I do.” Annabelle peeked through the door, and stepped out. Molly locked the room as a precaution. She let out a yelp when Annabelle grabbed her forearm and towed her down the corridor.
    “Have you any idea how to find the earl in this maze?” Molly whispered, and lifted the candlestick.
    “Yes, I know where his apartments are. I was given the royal tour yesterday, when Priscilla still considered him a viable son-in-law.”
    After what felt like working their way through a large warren, Annabel stopped before a polished black oak door. Without a moment of hesitation, she rapped on the wood panel.
    The door swung open to reveal an annoyed earl. Sleepy-eyed, hair tousled, he looked very approachable and very appealing to Molly. She couldn’t help but notice his muscular, hair-dusted calves beneath the hem of his robe.
    “What the hell…?” He grabbed Annabelle and pulled her into his room. A second later Molly suffered the same fate.
    “A little late to be paying a call, isn’t it?” The earl leaned against the wall with an air of expectancy.
    “Pish, I have a proposition for you.” Annabelle forged ahead.
    “At one in the morning? Couldn’t it wait?”
    “I don’t have time to shilly-shally. You have to know why Priscilla dragged me here.”
    “Well, yes, but I got the impression my title now pales beside Haversham’s.” His eyes flicked over to Molly. “Don’t you want to do this in private?”
    Maybe she should, but Molly wasn’t budging until she was satisfied that Annabelle was in safe hands.
    “Molly is privy to all my plans. If this does not go as I hope, we’ll be asking you to help us get to Plymouth and find passage on a fast ship to New York.” Annabelle drew in a deep breath and blurted out, “We should marry. You’ll get what you need and I’ll get what I want.”
    “And what is that, pray tell?”
    “You get my fortune at your disposal, and I get the protection of marriage to free me from Priscilla,” Annabelle whispered, looking a bit drawn.
    The earl’s eyes narrowed as he studied Annabelle. She stood before him, pale, her hands curled into fists. All the bravado seemed to have bled out of her. Molly bit her lip as they waited for the earl’s response. He flicked a pointed glance at Molly, and tilted his head towards the door, but she folded her arms over her breasts.
    His lips twitched. “It seems we’ll be having this intimate discussion with your guardian dragon in attendance. Much as I find your proposal intriguing, I think we both want more than that from our union. I should also tell you I won’t countenance a cold woman in my bed or a countess who gads about London.”
    “Cold? You didn’t think I was cold when you kissed me and fondled my—” Annabelle retorted before she caught herself and clamped her mouth.
    “No, I didn’t.” His lips curved into a smile, warm, enticing and a bit predatory as he stared at Molly’s mistress. “I have no intention of letting Haversham put his hands on you.” He stalked over to the girl staring up at him with open adoration and brushed his fingers over Annabelle’s flushed cheek.
    “You don’t?” Annabelle launched herself into the earl’s arms.
    Molly shook her head. The girl knew nothing about restraint, but she was the earl’s problem now. “I’ll be back for you in a few hours.”
    “I’ll escort her back to her rooms,” the lord murmured, his attention fixed on the woman in his arms.
    “Yes, sir.” Molly nipped out of the door. She had a rendezvous of her own to