The Earl and the Highwayman's Daughter by Maggi Andersen Read Free Book Online Page B

always busy.
    The footman bowed. “Your presence is required in his lordship’s bedchamber, Miss Hawthorne.”
    She grinned at the tall, handsome fellow. “My goodness, Jeremy. Am I permitted to visit him there?” He had not welcomed her company yesterday.
    Jeremy smiled. “I am so instructed, Miss Hawthorne.”
    “Then lead on if you please. I still get lost in this huge house.”
    “How is Molly faring?” Jeremy asked as they walked to the stairs.
    “Happily ridding the walled garden of slugs and snails, and a few of the plants too, regrettably. William has been very nice about it.”
    Jeremy chuckled. “Here we are, Miss Hawthorne.” He straightened his shoulders and took on his footman’s mien, knocking on the door with a gloved fist.
    Lady Beale sat beside Lord Trentham’s bed. Two pairs of blue eyes assessed her. Eugenia’s face grew hot, and she smoothed her skirts. “You wished to see me, my lord?”
    His lordship leaned back against snowy pillows in a magnificent black silk dressing gown patterned with gold dragons. “I’d like to introduce you to my sister, Lady Beale.”
    Eugenia curtseyed.
    “Come here and let me look at you, my dear,” Lady Beale said.
    Lady Beale’s coloring was similar to her brother, but there the resemblance ended. She was as dainty as a flower in her delphinium-blue gown.
    Approaching the bed, Eugenia cast a quick assessing glance at his lordship. His color had improved, his eyes more alert. “They did not bleed you, my lord?”
    He winked at his sister. “No, I bowed to your wishes, Miss Hawthorne.”
    “I don’t approve of the practice in cases such as this,” Lady Beale said. “You need a new doctor, Brendan. This one is behind the times.” She rose with a rustle of skirts and placed her hands on Eugenia’s shoulders. Nervous, Eugenia tried to remain still as the lady’s bright blue eyes studied her. “My, but you are right, Brendan. No question of it. Walk around for me, Miss Hawthorne.”
    Feeling rather like a prize heifer at the village market, Eugenia walked the length of the dense carpet.
    “She is quite lovely, Brendan. Eugenia will be incomparable when I’ve finished with her. A mistress of royalty is not impossible.”
    Eugenia spun around and stared at them. “I won’t!”
    “But my dear, why not?” Lady Beale looked surprised. “Fabulous jewels, a wonderful home – socializing with the most important people in the land and part of the Prince Regent’s set. A fascinating life awaits you.”
    Eugenia tried to catch his lordship’s eye, but he refused to look at her. “Can I not just stay here with Molly? I won’t bother anyone.”
    “Is that one of the maids?” Lady Beale gave a tinkling laugh. “What nonsense. You can’t stay at Lilac Court forever. It’s all a bit overwhelming, though, isn’t it?” she said in a softer tone. “May I call you Eugenia?”
    “Yes, my lady.”
    Lady Beale took her hands and gave them a shake. “Marriage then. I’m sure that is possible when I’ve finished with you. Even without a substantial dowry, there will be some, a widower in need of children perhaps, who’d be prepared to ignore the shortcomings. Have you had a beau, my dear? I mean you haven’t…”
    “Chloe!” His lordship had said little up to this point, but now he glowered and looked quite fierce.
    Unsure of the question, Eugenia stared at them thunderstruck, as Lady Beale’s eyebrows lowered in a thoughtful frown. “Never mind, we shall remain equivocal on the subject. Please say you will agree to let me educate you in the ways of the ton. And dress you? With your face and figure, what fun that will be! Yes?”
    Overwhelmed, Eugenia could only nod.
    Lady Beale clapped her small hands. “I’ll send for my modiste, and we’ll begin immediately while you recuperate, Brendan. Then, when you are well again, we shall take Eugenia to London where men will fall at her feet. As you are her guardian, you must help me to instruct