Surrender to the Earl by Gayle Callen Read Free Book Online Page A

tonight—most of them had heard of Mrs. Blake, but never met her. What kind of father keeps his daughter out of sight, simply because she’s blind? Is it catching? We both know it is not. Is there a stigma attached? She has been convenient for you to take advantage of, but that is over now. You have another daughter. I suggest she learn to manage a household, so that she is not a disappointment to her future husband.”
    Collins jumped to his feet, and Robert followed, unstretching leisurely, until he was a head taller than the other man. Collins looked up, hesitated, then pressed his lips together in a narrow line.
    “Have you already compromised my daughter?” he demanded. “Is that what this is all about?”
    “I have not, sir. I have done all that is proper. But even I did not expect to feel such a connection after only two days. Now on to the practical matters. My country seat is only a few miles away from the house she inherited from Blake, which is why we were in the same regiment. The Eighth Dragoons are a tradition in our parish. I will escort her and her lady’s maid there, so that we can live in proximity while the wedding is planned.”
    “That damned house—how did you learn of it?”
    “She told me, of course. We are able to speak freely with one another. I had not imagined a woman could understand me so well.”
    Robert realized that for the first time in a long while, he was using the weight of the earldom to have his way, and there was satisfaction in that—too much like the old, immature days of his youth. But he wouldn’t go back to being that spoiled young man who didn’t know how to treat people with respect. This supposed marriage was for Mrs. Blake’s benefit, not his own, he reminded himself.
    “Do we understand each other, Collins?” Robert asked. “I wish to have a cordial relationship with you, but not if you can’t respect your daughter.”
    Collins shook his head. “I have no choice, do I? But Knightsbridge, you are too full of yourself. She will refuse your proposal. She’s been badly hurt before, and that was by a man who took the time to court her. You? She’s too levelheaded to risk her future on a stranger.”
    “Then that will be her choice,” Robert agreed amiably. He bowed to the baron and opened the door.
    A footman waited with several candleholders, offering one for Robert’s use.
    “Not just yet,” Robert said. “Please ask Mrs. Blake if she would speak with me. I’ll be waiting in the parlor.” He didn’t want her father getting to her first.

Chapter 5
    A udrey hadn’t let Molly help her undress for bed. When she’d heard Lord Knightsbridge ask to speak to her father, her stomach immediately clenched and had been fluttering ever since. What was the earl saying? He hadn’t even answered her request for help yet.
    And then came a soft rap on the door, and she flung it wide.
    “It is Richard, Mrs. Blake,” said the well-trained footman. “Lord Knightsbridge requests your presence in the parlor.”
    “Now?” she asked in disbelief.
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Very well, I’ll be down in a moment.”
    When she shut the door, she could hear Molly’s rushed footsteps, felt the maid clasp her arm.
    “Miss Audrey, what is this about?”
    “I’m not sure.” And that wasn’t quite a lie. Audrey hated to mislead her dearest friend, but her request of the earl was too important to speak of.
    No candles were necessary for her as she moved through the manor in the dark of night—although more than once in the past, she’d startled a sighted person. She hurried down the stairs, crossed the entrance hall, and entered the parlor.
    “Lord Knightsbridge?” she called.
    “I am here, Mrs. Blake. Please close the door behind you.”
    That was nothing an unmarried woman normally heard from a man. Forcing down a shiver of nerves, she did as he asked.
    “I’m seated on the sofa, Mrs. Blake. Come join me.”
    She moved forward cautiously, in case furniture had