Good Earls Don't Lie Read Online Free PDF

stumbled.”
    With reluctance, Rose lowered herself back down. “No. Never mind.” Though she understood that Lily didn’t believe she could stand, it dimmed her spirits. Her throat tightened, and she took a deep breath. “What should we do about Mother?”
    “I think we should behave as if she never brought it up. Pretend she never suggested any of it. Like the wolves. She won’t remember in the morning.”
    “I suppose so.” Rose risked a glance out the window again, and it bothered her that she had lost sight of Mr. Donovan. Where was he now? She craned her neck, but still could not see him.
    “ What is it that has you so distracted, Rose?” Lily peered outside the window and then turned back. “It’s him, isn’t it? The gentleman you spoke of.”
    She sighed. “Well, yes. Mr. Donovan claims he’s an earl, but I don’t believe him.”
    Lily wrinkled her nose. “An earl? Why would he say such a thing?”
    “I have no idea. But I wonder why he’s truly here.” The logical explanation was that he was attempting to insinuate himself within their household for a nefarious purpose. And yet . . . she didn’t quite believe that.
    Her sister’s knuckles tightened on the window, and she shook her head. “Oh no.”
    “What?” Rose couldn’t see anything from her vantage point.
    “It seems that you were right about Mr. Donovan. I don’t think he’s an earl at all.”
    It was maddening being unable to see, and Rose used all her strength to hoist her weight against the arms of the chair. “Why would you say that, Lily?”
    Lily turned back with an apologetic look. “Because he’s stealing one of our horses.”

    Iain urged the gelding into a hard gallop, guiding the horse toward the spot where he’d been robbed. Behind him, he heard the sounds of men yelling, “Stop, thief!”
    Which was ironic, really, because this was his horse, even if no one here would believe him. He’d been shocked to find Darcy inside the stables, where he’d been intending to conceal himself for the night. Someone had put the gelding in one of the stalls, and that meant the boys were nearby. This time, Iain intended to confront them and seize the rest of his missing belongings.
    More than all else, he needed that signet ring. Or at the very least, the letter from Lady Wolcroft inviting him to Penford.
    He was convinced that the robbery was adolescent mischief. They had somehow knocked him from his horse—possibly with a rope strung between the trees—and had entertained themselves by stripping him of everything.
    Iain, however, was not amused. Their trickery had cost him his identity, and he would hunt them down until he had everything back.
    He leaned in, searching his surroundings for a sign of the boys. The afternoon sun was blinding, but he found the lake easily enough. The road grew narrower, and at last, he spied one of the boys walking alone. He looked to be about thirteen or so and was wearing Iain’s coat. The moment he heard Iain coming up behind him, he broke into a run.
    Not fast enough.
    Iain leaned down and seized the boy, dragging him atop his horse. The lad was skinny, and though he fought, Iain gripped him hard. “You’re not going anywhere. Not until you’ve returned everything you stole from me.”
    “I didn’t steal anything. I was bringing it back,” the boy complained.
    “Like the clothes you’re wearing? And what did you do with my signet ring?” Iain had no sympathy for him. The lad had questions he was going to answer. “I’m thinking we should speak to your father about this.”
    The boy sent him a sly smile. “He’s not at home.” The gleeful expression on his face made it obvious that he wanted Iain to take him home.
    Perhaps it was better to take a different tack. “Then you’ll be coming with me. Unless you want to return my ring first?”
    He didn’t truly know what he would do with the boy, but he wasn’t about to let the lad go free. Not until he had answers.
    “I