The Earl's Return (Marriage Mart Mayhem) by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online Page A

her cheeks, she curtsied and hurried toward the kitchen.
    “You are not to raise a hand to any of the staff.”
    “Of course you would take her side against mine,” his wife spat out. “I shall sack her.”
    “You will not. She needs her job.”
    “I hate you!”
    He moved around her and stepped through the door to the library. “So you’ve said.”

    A slap on his back almost had Redgrave spilling the champagne all over himself. “Redgrave. I heard you were in Town for the Season.” Lord Milltown grinned at him, obviously having imbibed more than champagne.
    “Good to see you, Milltown.” He placed the glass on a tray and wiped his hands with his handkerchief.
    “I understand you’re on the lookout to get leg shackled again. Didn’t learn your lesson the first time, what?”
    Redgrave gritted his teeth. “As you well know, like most men present, I need an heir.”
    Milltown grew serious. “So sorry for your loss, man. After all you went through to have the gal, ’twas too bad she turned up her toes on you.”
    He winced at the man’s poor choice of words. All he’d gone through, indeed. If the man only knew. “Please excuse me, Milltown, I am due to collect Miss Edgeworth for our dance.” He left the man, not entirely sure Milltown had enough of his faculties left to know he’d departed.
    Skimming the crowd, Redgrave spotted Miss Edgeworth near the refreshment table speaking with Lady Mary. He hated the smile that twitched his lips as he wove his way through the crush. Several times he was stopped but cut conversations short as the music started up.
    When he reached Lady Mary, Miss Edgeworth was no longer there.
    “I just saw Miss Edgeworth standing here with you. I’ve come to claim my dance with her.”
    Lady Mary chewed her lower lip, a habit he’d never noticed before, but found endearing. “Oh, I’m so sorry, my lord, but she spilled champagne on her gown and left for the ladies retiring room to have it cleaned.”
    Couples floated past them, swaying and dipping to the lilting strains of a waltz. He held out his hand. “Since my partner is unavailable, may I have the pleasure of this dance, Lady Mary?”
    She stared at his palm as if she expected it to speak. Very slowly, she placed her gloved hand in his and raised her eyes to his face.
    …
    Mary’s heartbeat sped up, and she found it difficult to fill her lungs with air. Redgrave’s hand on her lower back felt as though her skin burned in that spot. She was surrounded by the scent of him. Man, clean linen, and bergamot. She attempted to remain aloof and stare over his shoulder but found her regard wandering back to his face. Each time she did, he was staring intently at her.
    “Why are you not married?” The accusatory words almost seemed to rush from his mouth, seemingly afraid if he gave it more thought, the question would remain unasked.
    “What an indelicate question, my lord, and one I believe you have asked me before.”
    “I thought we agreed to Redgrave and Lady Mary. And you are dodging my question, which has remained unanswered since the last time I asked.”
    She drew in a breath and raised her chin. “Perhaps you have no right to ask.”
    “I thought every young lady aspired to marry the highest title, the most coins. You are a beautiful woman. You have been raised from infancy to grace the arm of a titled lord, oversee his household, and bear him heirs. You are witty, gracious, and intelligent. You cannot tell me since your debut you have not been swamped with offers.”
    “Oh my.” She wrinkled her nose. “You make me sound as though I spent years chasing off suitors with a broom.”
    “Haven’t you?” He smirked.
    She shrugged. “Perhaps I haven’t met the right man.”
    He turned her deftly to avoid colliding with another couple. “Ah, yes. The famous Lacey girls’ requirement that they marry for love.”
    “It didn’t work out so well for Abigail, did it?” She spoke softly.
    His head snapped back as