Rules of Engagement by Christina Dodd Read Free Book Online Page B

stupid!"
    Pamela truly enjoyed retorting, "I have thought so all along."
    Kerrich narrowed his eyes at her. "Miss Lockhart, you overstep your bounds!"
    Voices came from the foyer, and the drift of fresh air told Pamela the outer door was open. "Forgive me, my lord. I thought most men enjoyed having a woman agree with their pronouncements."
    Beth tugged at her sleeve, and Pamela leaned down so she could whisper loudly. "Please, ma'am. We're supposed to be convincing him I'm the tyke for him."
    Pamela slid her gaze toward him. He'd heard, of course, and of course he felt no compunction about grinning his delight at Pamela's discomfiture. "A boy," he announced, "would go to the horse races with me. And to the fights. And to the club."
    In deference to Beth, Pamela tempered her impatience. "You have a reputation as a rake. Take Beth where you would take your own daughter. To the park. To a Shakespearean play. To the fireworks."
    Moulton took a hesitant step into the chamber. "My lord?"
    "In a minute, Moulton!" Kerrich said irascibly. "Miss Lockhart, such an itinerary would bloody bore me to death!"
    Her patience, always thin with foolish gentlemen, snapped again. "Think, my lord! You mourn the chance to entertain yourself by teaching a young man the dissipations you revel in? The queen does not attend the horse races or the fights."
    "What do you know of Her Majesty's habits?"
    "As much as you, if you would only—" Pamela brought herself under control before she could betray herself and her past to the overly arrogant gentleman. "I know she is recently wed, and I know her consort is quite somber. And it doesn't take a great deal of thought to realize that the queen, like any right-thinking woman, would not be impressed by your philanthropy when it involves teaching young men to wager!"
    Moulton stepped into the foyer and stared, then stepped back in and fidgeted.
    Kerrich didn't appreciate her frank, and without a doubt correct, evaluation of his plan, and he did what all men do when their fallacies are pointed out to them. He sulked. "This child is useless to me."
    Evidently, Beth decided she had to take a hand in her own fate, for she spoke directly to him. "Excuse me, sir. I'm not useless. I know how to do lots of things, and if you let me stay, I'll learn how to be the brat you're looking for." Her voice was shaking, yet she stared Kerrich right in the eye. "But you have to let me stay first. I promise to do whatever it is you want me to do, if you'll just give me a chance."
    Kerrich glanced at Beth.
    Please. Pamela wanted to plead with him. Look at her. See past the dirt and shyness to the courage and spirit.
    But his eyes narrowed, and his color built. "Miss Lockhart, you must imagine that I am a soft-hearted imbecile to try and foist such a ruse on me. Is she your sister, perhaps, or a cousin you dabbed with dirt and hoped would wring my heartstrings? I am not so gullible!"
    Beth jerked her hand out of Pamela's and put her fists on her hips. "Are you calling her a liar? She's a nice lady, and she rescued me!"
    For one horrible moment, Pamela thought Beth would try to box his ears. Catching her shoulders, she held her close and said, "Truly, my lord. I met Beth today for the first time. I do not seek to deceive you in any way." But her voice faltered on that assurance, since her very appearance was a deception.
    Kerrich noticed, of course, and stood up as if he would throw them both out personally.
    But from the doorway of his study came an old man's hearty voice. "Hey, lad, do you have a hug for your old grandpapa?"
    CHAPTER 6
    "Gardner Mathewes, the marquess of Reynard, has arrived," Moulton intoned, as if any idiot couldn't see Kerrich's beloved grandfather standing in the doorway.
    "Grandpapa!" Kerrich stood, totally flummoxed by the unexpected appearance. "Why didn't you warn me you were coming?"
    "Warn you?" Lord Reynard chortled. "You sound like a lad caught out in a prank. Why should I warn you, young Devon?" He