The Seduction of an Earl by Linda Rae Sande Read Free Book Online

Henry for the first time, but, not sensing any danger to his mistress, he pulled his haunches under him and sat up as straight as his bulk would allow.
    “May I?” Henry asked as he pointed toward the dog’s treat.
    Hannah regarded her guest with a bit of uncertainty. “I ... I suppose.”
    Lifting the biscuit from the plate, Henry rose from the chair and walked over to the dog. Standing directly in front of Harold, he allowed his eyes to make contact with the dog’s. They were large, brown eyes, rather expressive despite the overall look of boredom the rest of Harold’s expression seemed to convey. His huge black nose was surrounded by a white snout that featured a collection of black freckles. The rest of his massive head was covered in brown fur which extended to a white band of fur around his entire neck. The rest of his body seemed covered in the brown fur, except his front legs, which were quite white, as if the dog had been recently bathed. Henry wondered if there was a copper tub anywhere in London large enough to accommodate such a huge beast.
    Henry lowered the biscuit until it rested on top of the dog’s rather wide snout. Harold stared at him with lazy eyes, as if he’d done the trick a thousand times and was bored by it. Henry returned to his chair and sat down. “Now, Harold!” he commanded. Harold dutifully tossed the biscuit into the air with an upward shake of his nose and caught the treat in his mouth as it came down. For a few seconds, a crunching sound emanated from the animal.
    Hannah’s mouth dropped open before one of her hands could cover it. “How did you ... how did he know how to do that ?” she asked in surprise. “I ... I didn’t know he knew that trick!” She stared at Henry for several seconds. “I haven’t taught him how to do it!”
    Fighting the urge to laugh at her expense, Henry shook his head. “I think your father might be the guilty one, my lady,” he said in an apologetic tone.
    The pink flush that colored Hannah’s face nearly matched her gown. “I cannot believe he would keep that from me,” she murmured, feeling a bit indignant. She glanced up to find the earl watching her, his head cocked to one side. He was a very handsome man, she decided. Broad of shoulder, tall, with a full head of dark hair that could almost be black, and eyes that were so blue, she almost dared not look at him directly.
    “It is just a parlor trick. Your Harold,” he nodded his head toward the dog and was not surprised to find the beast watching him intently, “Is quite a majestic dog. Perhaps he could join us on a ride in the park. ’Tis a beautiful day for it.” In truth, it was a bit chilly, but the sun was finally burning off the early morning fog, and the sky would be clear soon.
    A frisson passed through Hannah – just the thought of riding in the park with this very handsome man made her belly flip and her heart begin to race. “I ... I would have to ask my father, of course, but ... I would be delighted.” Even if the earl wasn’t handsome, she would have welcomed the opportunity to get out of the house. A ride in the park seemed just the thing.
    “Have I heard my name, perhaps?” the Marquess of Devonville asked from the threshold. He seemed rather pleased by what he saw, but Henry placed his cup on the table and stood up at the man’s comment, hoping the marquess didn’t find the tableau he was witnessing too inappropriate. Here he was, sitting very close to the man’s daughter, and next to her was the family dog with his tongue hanging to one side and a bit of slobber about to drip off it. Henry bowed to the marquess.
    “Sit, sit,” Devonville insisted as he moved into the room.
    “Good morning, Father,” Hannah said by way of greeting, tilting one cheek up so her father could kiss it. The marquess gave Harold a pat on the head and moved to sit in a chair opposite Henry. Hannah was already pouring tea and cream for him.
    “If you’d like to take my daughter