The Earl I Adore by Erin Knightley Read Free Book Online

home.” She glanced helplessly toward May, imploring her to do something to help her escape.
    Thankfully, her friend took the hint. “If you’re safe and sound for the moment, I’ll just go find your mother.” She turned and pushed her way toward the Tea Room, where Mama had been headed the last time they had seen her.
    Normally her mother was the consummate chaperone—entirely too nosy to let Sophie out of her sight for long. But with both their hopes pinned on Sophie’s making a match, Mama must have decided it was best for her to be scarce this evening. She hadn’t said as much, but Sophie suspected she was hoping prospective gentlemen would be more free with their affections without a chaperone hovering about.
    Sophie absolutely dreaded her mother’s reaction, but it was definitely preferable to having the earl stuck there minding her. Already awkwardness had settled over them. She shifted uncomfortably on the hard seat of the bench, wishing fervently that she could do something about the pain hammering away in her foot.
    â€œEvan, there you are.” A pretty young woman slipped between a pair of spectators, her brow furrowed inconcern. “Dear me, are you quite all right? I tried to reach you in the Ballroom, but the gawkers were thick as bread pudding—impossible to wade through.”
    The woman went straight to the earl’s side and laid a hand on the sleeve of his jacket. Sophie sat up straighter, indignation overriding any pain. Not that she had a right to be indignant, but still. Where had this woman come from?
    She didn’t look familiar in the least. After two Seasons with an overzealous matchmaking mama, Sophie would have sworn she was aware of any female in the
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whom her mother might construe as competition for her daughters.
    With her striking greenish brown eyes and clearly superior taste in fashion—or at least excellent taste in choosing a modiste with good fashion sense—the interloper would certainly qualify as a threat.
    Her threat level increased dramatically when the earl placed his hand over hers and gave it a reassuring pat. “I’m fine. Miss Wembley wasn’t so fortunate, I’m afraid.” He glanced back toward Sophie. “Speaking of whom, Julia, please allow me to present—”
    â€œOh, my goodness, Sophie!” Mama’s cry cut off the rest of the introduction, much to Sophie’s consternation. Just what she needed—
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attention being drawn to them. “A thousand thanks, my lord. Miss Bradford told me how you rescued my dear daughter. However could we repay you?”
    He offered a polite smile and shook his head. “Consider it amends for not preventing the mishap in the first place. Shall I order your carriage to be brought round?”
    â€œOh, no, we haven’t one. If you could be so good as to have a hackney hailed, we would be most grateful.”
    Evan glanced down, catching Sophie’s gaze. Lacking the funds for a carriage was one thing she refused to feel embarrassed about. He gave her a wink so subtle that she almost doubted it happened at all. Turning his attention back to her mother, he said, “I won’t hear of it, Mrs. Wembley. I’ll have my carriage brought ’round posthaste and instruct my driver to take you home.”
    Obvious pleasure lit Mama’s face, but she demurred. “Oh no, my lord, we couldn’t possibly.”
    â€œYou haven’t a choice, I’m afraid.” He tugged on the hem of his jacket, straightening out the wrinkles he’d sustained. “I proved a terrible dance partner, but I am quite determined to be a proper gentleman. Besides, what good is my carriage to me while I am here? Better to use it than leave my driver twiddling his thumbs for the whole of the evening.”
    If he was aiming to impress her mother, he succeeded handsomely. Her eyes shining with delight, she pressed her hands to her generous