Earls Just Want to Have Fun Read Online Free PDF

change.”
    â€œI don’t have parents,” she declared. No surprise there. She was obviously the spawn of Satan.
    Still, it was interesting. An enterprising thief, as she seemed to be, might see opportunity in pretending to be the daughter of a marquess. “Then you are not Lady Elizabeth Grafton?” he asked.
    â€œMy name is Marlowe.”
    Dane waited.
    â€œJust Marlowe,” she added.
    â€œAnd you are not the daughter of the Marquess of Lyndon?”
    â€œI don’t know the bloody man. Now, if you’ll just let me go—” She attempted to push past him, but Dane—setting aside his distaste for the dirt covering her—caught her about the waist. She jumped back, and he stepped to the side before she could hit him. Looked like she had a good right hook too.
    â€œI’m afraid I cannot let you go.”
    She glared at him. “Why not?”
    â€œSo glad you asked. Two reasons, actually. First of all, my brother is a prime investigator. I don’t know how he does it, but he knows information. Which leads to the second reason. If he thinks you are Lady Elizabeth Grafton, I must give him the benefit of the doubt.”
    â€œThat’s a fancy way of saying I’m a liar.”
    Dane spread his hands. “It is nothing of the sort.”
    She crossed her arms under her ample bosom. “Really? Don’t you think I know who I am? I told you my name is Marlowe. I don’t know this lady you’re talking about. Now, tell me again my name is Elizabeth, and you’re calling me a liar.”
    Dane stared at her for a long moment. Shocking to admit, but the girl had a point. He was, in essence, calling her a liar. “I didn’t intend to offend you.”
    â€œYou can dress a pig up however you want, but it’s still a pig.”
    Now they were speaking of animals? Or was this girl more intelligent than she looked? “Are you using a metaphor?” he asked.
    â€œNo more fancy words,” she demanded. “Let me go!”
    He refused to sink to her level and holler back. “There is no point in allowing you to go. My brother will only find you again.” And Dane would have to listen to a lecture for allowing the girl to escape.
    â€œNo, he won’t. I can hide so I’m never found.”
    She didn’t know Brook. He could find anyone, and he was patient. He could wait years for a man or woman to surface. But Dane wasn’t going to argue that point with her. He had others yet to be introduced. “Be that as it may,” Dane conceded, “I am not about to let you go. As I see it, you have a choice: either willingly take a bath, don clean clothing, and eat a hot meal…”
    â€œOr?” She tapped her foot rapidly.
    â€œOr do all of that—except perhaps the hot meal—under duress.”
    â€œDuress?”
    He smiled thinly. “I force you.”
    â€œYou think you can make me do something I don’t want?” She notched her chin up in a challenge.
    â€œYes.”
    She looked at him for a long time. He didn’t know what she saw in his eyes, but finally she nodded. “All right, but you’re not watching the bath.”
    â€œMadam, I assure you, I had no intention of doing so. I will stand in the kitchen with my back turned. I give you my word as a gentleman.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Some gentleman, forcing me to take a bath against my will.”
    â€œYes, I know. The horror.”
    â€œAnd another thing.”
    He sighed. “What now?”
    â€œI’m not putting on a dress.”
    He raised his brows.
    â€œI want trousers and a shirt like you have.”
    â€œYou want to dress as a man? Why?”
    â€œBecause I do.”
    â€œStrange,” he muttered to himself, but at this point he did not care. His mother and sister would be home soon, and he wanted the girl dealt with. Dane went to the door and called, “Ezekiel! Come