The Earl's Passionate Plot by Susan Gee Heino Read Free Book Online Page A

about her.
    These periodic outbursts indicated her lacing might not be quite as tight as she might give impression. She had chinks in her armor of self-control that he found amply entertaining, and enticing. Her reckless insults gave him a glimpse of a woman of strong will, but of strong passions, as well. The best thing about Miss Langley's unbridled tongue, however, was the fact that her careless words continued to place her at his mercy.
    "I'm sorry, were you not expecting us to join you?" he asked.
    "Er, but of course," she stammered, taking on the role of hostess as clearly her stunned mother was suddenly speechless. "Come in, gentlemen."
    Mr. Vandenhoff had come up behind Dovington, his waddling gait keeping him several steps behind so that he had not been privy to Miss Langley's tirade. He appeared not to notice the obvious agitation of the women just now, either. It seemed they were upset by more than just Miss Langley's sharp words regarding her guest. What other interesting discussion had he missed here?
    "Your cook is to be commended for that excellent mea l," the earl said, finding a place where he could prop an elbow against the mantle and preside over the others in the room.
    "Yes, it was most excellent, indeed," Mr. Vandenhoff said. "My family and I have been enjoying trying the new dishes we are discovering on our stay in your country."
    Mrs. Vandenhoff agreed with her husband whole heartedly, but Miss Vandenhoff made a noise something akin to a snort. It was not what anyone would call attractive. In fact, very little about Miss Vandenhoff was what anyone would call attractive.
    Not that the girl had unpleasant features, exactly, but she simply failed to use them to any advantage. She seemed surly and ready to fight at the least opportunity. Her version of willful defiance was not nearly so engaging as Miss Langley's. No, while the earl found himself eager to step into the fray offered by Miss Langley's sharp words and flashing glances, he wanted to do nothing more with Miss Vandenhoff than hand her over to her father and suggest a good spanking might be in order.
    That did not bode well for his plans. Not well indeed. He needed to get his mind o ff the challenged posed by Miss Langley and get it back on a more productive task. He needed to find some way to make Miss Vandenhoff suddenly blossom into a charming, desirable creature.
    That seeming impossibility made his head spin. Surely it would be a much more productive task to amuse himself with Miss Langley. She could do nothing to bring him closer to his goal, but she certainly could make his efforts in the meanwhile less dismal.
    Then again, perhaps she could play a more useful role, after all. Dovington would keep his eyes open for just the right opportunity. Any opportunity.
    The air of tension in the room lessened some as the conversation flitted from polite discussion about the English diet to trends in American dining and somehow from there onto a little dog Mrs. Vandenhoff once had and was now contemplating getting another. For some reason she wanted Dovington's opinion on the matter and he replied simply that if she wanted a dog, she ought to get herself a dog.
    "So you are a dog lover, are you?" the woman asked.
    "I suppose that is the term for it," he replied. "My father was very much against keeping pets when I was a child but after we... that is, my mother and I lived for a time at my grandfather's home and I was allowed several dogs there."
    "So you must keep hounds at your estate," Mr. Vandenhoff said. "I've heard that is very much the thing with your set."
    Yes, Dovington had heard that, too. "No, I'm afraid I have no do gs at Dovington Downs. I've been too caught up with business of late and feel it would be irresponsible to keep dogs that I have no time to exercise or entertain."
    Or funds to put the kennels in proper order or supply food of the quality needed to sustain healthy hounds. Someday he would, though. Someday he'd make that damned