Earls Just Want to Have Fun Read Online Free PDF Page B

here.”
    The jehu must have been loitering nearby, because he appeared within seconds.
    â€œFetch Crawford.”
    The words fell like boulders. The coachman twisted his hands together. “Crawford, my lord?” He glanced over Dane’s shoulder at the girl. “Are you sure?”
    No, Dane wasn’t sure. He was relatively certain he’d regret involving Crawford almost immediately, but there was little about this night he did not already regret, and he was at the limit of what he could accomplish without detection. At any rate, he’d probably burn the whole kitchen down if he attempted to use the stove, even to warm water. He might be able to find the chit some food, but he had no idea where he might locate clothing that would fit her, especially if he had to keep watch over her to prevent escape.
    Dane sighed and closed his eyes. “Just fetch him, Ezekiel.”
    â€œYes, my lord.”
    Behind him he heard the girl ask, “Who’s Crawford?”
    â€œYou’ll see.”
    Five long minutes later, a short man with a balding pate and a crooked nose that made it appear as though he looked down on everyone—although he was generally shorter than everyone—walked ceremoniously through the kitchen door. Dane thought of a king returning to his castle, and in a sense the kitchen and all of the servants’ areas were Crawford’s castle. “My lord,” Crawford said, bowing. His gaze immediately focused on the girl. Crawford missed nothing. “You called?”
    â€œI need your assistance.”
    â€œOf course, my lord.” The implication in the butler’s tone was that no one, ever, accomplished anything without Crawford’s assistance.
    â€œI need warm water for a bath, food, and boys’ clothing to fit this girl.” He gestured to her.
    Crawford did not even blink at the odd request. “Of course, my lord. May I ask why we are washing, feeding, and dressing this…street urchin?”
    â€œI’m not an urchin!” the girl yelled.
    Crawford’s gaze never left Dane’s.
    â€œShe is one of Brook’s projects. That is all you need to know.”
    â€œOf course, my lord.” He turned, presumably to work his magic and accomplish all of Dane’s requests, but then he turned back. “We will not be housing the creature for the night, my lord?”
    Dane licked his lips. He could have used a glass of brandy right about then. “I don’t know yet, Crawford.”
    â€œOf course, my lord. Excuse me, my lord.” He made for the door, presumably to carry out Dane’s orders.
    â€œCrawford, are my mother and sister home yet?”
    â€œI expect them at any moment, my lord.” And Dane knew how Crawford hated to be away from his post when the countess arrived. Crawford had definite opinions as to how Derring House was to be run. Dane might be the captain, but Crawford was the helmsman, and he turned the ship. He had been steering the ship for longer than Dane had been alive. He’d probably still be here when Dane was dead.
    Crawford gestured to the girl. “I will not mention… this to the countess and Lady Susanna, my lord.”
    â€œThat would be best,” Dane agreed.
    â€œYour father will turn in his grave,” Crawford muttered.
    â€œWhat was that?”
    â€œIf that is all, my lord.”
    Dane nodded. He could hardly chastise the man. His father would have turned in his grave. It was rooks like this girl who’d put the late earl in his grave to begin with.
    Crawford departed, and Dane knew that within moments footmen and maids would swarm to carry out his orders. He moved away from the door and out of the kitchen proper so as not to be in the way. That put him in the same room with the girl again. She scowled at him, her small face screwed up in an angry snarl. He ignored her. They’d struck a bargain, and he expected her to follow it. There was no honor among