Good Earls Don't Lie Read Online Free PDF Page A

that.”
    In that moment, their mother no longer appeared to be the same woman who was fleeing from imaginary wolves. Instead, the moment of clarity revealed a woman who was once again trying to find happiness for her daughters.
    Rose searched in desperation for another topic of conversation. “Do you suppose it will rain today?”
    “Now, do not try to change the subject,” Iris chided. “You are my eldest daughter, and it’s high time you were wed. How old are you now? Twenty?”
    “Twenty-three,” she murmured.
    Her mother frowned. “No, that’s not possible.” As she began trying to convince her that she was only twenty, Rose pasted a smile on her face and let her thoughts drift. She didn’t want to think about the undeniable fact that she was likely to remain a spinster unless she learned to walk again.
    She hadn’t given up—not at all. Every day she practiced standing, and though her legs would not yet support her weight, she refused to abandon hope. She had to rebuild her strength, and if force of will would move her legs, then she would indeed walk again.
    “It is unlikely, but not impossible,” the doctor had said. And Rose had held fast to that fragment of hope, needing to believe it.
    Outside, she saw movement, and when she focused her gaze, she realized it was the Irishman, Mr. Donovan. It appeared that he was walking toward the stables.
    Now what was he doing? Her curiosity was piqued, and more than anything, she wanted to follow him.
    But being unable to walk meant that she was never alone. She could go nowhere without help, and she didn’t exactly want the footman to think she was infatuated with the man-who-claimed-to-be-an-earl. No, she was merely intrigued by his story—that was all.
    “Rose, what is your opinion?” Lily interrupted her thoughts, and she jerked her attention back to them.
    “I—that is, whatever you think would be best.”
    “Excellent.” Iris beamed at her. “This will be most splendid.”
    Now what exactly had she agreed to? When she risked a glimpse at Lily, her sister was wincing and shaking her head. Oh dear.
    Rose cleared her throat, waiting for her mother to elaborate. Iris finished her tea, looking entirely too satisfied. “Very well, then. Both of you will go to London as soon as your grandmother returns. And by the end of the summer, I shall expect one or both of you to have a husband.”
    London? No, not that. She’d rather be devoured by the aforementioned wolves.
    Iris rose to her feet and was already talking about the details of the upcoming Season. “I shall speak with Mrs. Marlock about ordering new gowns for both of you. And then . . . I won’t have to worry so much.” Her voice trailed away softly as she reached the doorway.
    The moment their mother was gone, Lily let out a groan. “London? Rose, what were you thinking?”
    “I wasn’t listening,” she confessed. “I was distracted.”
    “Obviously.” Her sister stood and began pacing. “We have to convince her that she only imagined it. We are not going to London to be married off. Especially me.”
    “Because of Lord Arnsbury?” she ventured.
    Lily’s face flushed, and there was a flash of grief. “He might come back. And if he does . . .” There were years of hope bound up in that wish, for her sister loved the earl with all her being. But it had been nearly two years since he’d disappeared. The chances of him returning were growing slimmer each day, and she didn’t ask what Lily would do if he never came back.
    “Whether or not he does, we have a problem.” Rose used both of her arms to press hard against the chair, attempting to stand again. “Lily, help me up.”
    Her sister came to support her waist, and in her expression, Rose saw sympathy. “Are you certain you can stand?”
    “My arms are getting stronger.” She would manage somehow.
    But her sister took a step back. “Oughtn’t you to ask Calvert? He’s stronger than I and could help if you