The Untamed Earl by Valerie Bowman Read Free Book Online Page A

sounded completely opposite of Lord Owen Monroe. As she had suspected, her sister and Lord Owen were not suited at all.
    â€œYou’re quite certain Lord Owen doesn’t tempt you?” Alexandra asked.
    Lavinia raised a brow and wrinkled her nose. “Not in the least. Why, I’m looking for the perfect romantic gentleman. Can you imagine Lord Owen being a romantic? Or a gentleman?”
    A romantic gentleman? No, indeed, Alexandra could not imagine it. She breathed a sigh of relief. “Very well, if you’re certain.”
    â€œEntirely. I suppose I’ll eventually have to go to the Continent to find such a man,” Lavinia finished with a sniff. “I daresay I’ve yet to meet a suitable candidate in three years of attending those monotonous ton parties.”
    â€œI have a much better idea of what you’re seeking,” Alexandra said, her cheery tone returning. She stood, smoothed her light green skirts, and headed for the door. “That’s exactly whom I shall look for. I’m certain such a man exists.” Somewhere. Though Alexandra doubted it. He sounded like a medieval knight straight out of a tale worthy of King Arthur, only without the manliness.
    Lavinia contemplated her creamy hands. “I doubt you’ll have luck when Mother’s failed all these years.”
    â€œI’ll certainly do my best,” Alexandra replied, smiling optimistically at her sister. Why did Lavinia never respond to a genuine smile? Alexandra began to turn toward the door.
    â€œWait,” Lavinia said, pulling her hand away from the maid sharply with a loud, “That’s enough!” Martha backed away quickly, most likely in fear of being slapped.
    â€œWhat?” Alexandra stopped and stared at Lavinia.
    â€œYou never said what you heard about Lord Owen. About me. ”
    Of course her sister couldn’t resist discussing her favorite topic. Herself.
    Alexandra cleared her throat. “I heard he’s taken with you and intends to court you.”
    Lavinia smiled a catlike smile and settled back into her seat. “Oh, of course he does. Too bad for him, he doesn’t stand a chance.”

 
    CHAPTER FIVE
    Owen set his horse, Apollo, to a gallop. He’d ridden out to the countryside just past town today in order to see a bit of horseflesh he was considering buying. Of course, the horse had been no Apollo, but the sleek Arabian was an incomparable. He stroked the horse’s dark silky mane. The new animal would be for training. Training and selling. Owen’s favorite and only decent pastime and one with which he augmented his monthly allowance. He’d decided to purchase the stallion. He had only to make arrangements with his father’s stable master first.
    As Owen rode back toward the tollhouse just before the road that led into London, he cursed his latest bit of misfortune. Namely his obligation to marry Lavinia Hobbs. Damn it. He wasn’t even left to handle it how he saw fit. He should have known that not only would his father meddle in his affairs with Lady Lavinia, but his mother would, too. To the tune of planning a ball with Lavinia’s mother, the duchess, for the express purpose of inviting Owen and giving him a chance to court the duke’s daughter. His parents should bloody well know he didn’t need their help courting anyone, let alone some boring little drip of a duke’s daughter, no matter how “difficult” she might be. But hadn’t that always been his parents’ attitude when it came to Owen? He never made the right decisions himself, did he? Never quite measured up to his father’s expectations. No. His father had made up his mind about Owen a long time ago. Well, he bloody well would measure up this time. Whether Lavinia Hobbs liked it or not.
    So the lady wanted to fancy herself in love? Very well. Owen was more than confident in his own charm. He’d had ladies declare their undying