Her Errant Earl Read Online Free PDF Page A

had, and she was quite stunned he would even bother
himself to find out what she’d done at Carrington House over the last few
months. She inclined her head. “Thank you, my lord. My mother saw to it that I
had a fair head for running a smooth household. Keeping ledgers has always been
an odd hobby of mine anyway.”
    “Nevertheless, you needn’t have. I didn’t expect it of you.”
    His gratitude left her bemused. She didn’t know what to do
with a Pembroke who wasn’t disappearing and causing scandal. “I am your wife,”
she said simply. “It was my duty.”
    “Ah, but I did not do my duty to you.”
    She stopped and relinquished his arm, facing him again.
Victoria had suffered far too much at his hands to pretend she hadn’t. “No,”
she agreed quietly, “you did not.”
    His expression turned wry. “I have been thinking of how I
can make amends.”
    “I suppose it wasn’t entirely your fault,” she said, taking
pity on him a bit. “You didn’t want a wife.”
    “It is true that my father forced my hand, but I begin to
find I rather like having a wife.” He caressed her cheek. “Don’t go to London.
Stay here with me. Carrington House needs you.”
    Carrington House, he’d said, but not him. The omission was
glaring. “I’ve drafted a list of changes that need to be made here. It’s with
the estate ledgers. You may feel free to use it.”
    “I don’t want a list,” he murmured, his tone low and
intimate, sending warmth through her. “I want you. Tell me, what can be on this
list of yours?”
    She fought to keep her composure. “I recommend a raise for
loyal retainers. It’s difficult indeed to keep good servants these days.”
    He lowered his head, his lips exceedingly near to hers.
“What else?”
    She wanted him to kiss her. Her mind went suddenly blank
save for the need to feel his mouth upon hers. “I can’t recall,” she admitted
on a whisper.
    “You see?” He grinned and gave her a quick kiss. “You must
stay. What if I’ve questions about your list? What if you think of more changes
to add to it?”
    He was very good at destroying her defenses. Very good
indeed. She hesitated, knowing that if she gave in to him it could well prove
her undoing.
    “I need you,” he said finally. “Please stay.”
    Those three words were all she needed to hear. “I shall
stay,” she relented. “For a few days.”
    “You won’t regret it, my dear.” He drew her hand to his lips
for a lingering kiss, his stare searing her.
    She fervently hoped he was right.
    * * * * *
    After turning about the gardens with Pembroke, Victoria
returned to her rooms to announce her change of plans to her lady’s maid,
Keats, only to find that her husband had already called off her trip without
her knowledge. He was very sure of her, she thought to herself. Perhaps too
sure of her.
    It was a niggling concern in her mind as she joined him for
dinner that evening as had become their routine. She would do best to guard her
heart, even if she wanted nothing more than to believe Pembroke was the changed
man he proposed to be.
    “You are utterly lovely,” he murmured to her as he escorted
her to dinner.
    She’d chosen one of her best Worth gowns to wear that
evening, a silk, satin and velvet evening gown of dark green and ivory. The
bodice hugged her curves and emphasized her bosom. It was complete with a skirt
of shot cream silk and a drape of handmade French lace. The gown was from her
trousseau, very different from the demure pastel gowns her mother had chosen
for her before her marriage. She’d never had an occasion to wear it. Until now.
    “You are very handsome yourself,” she said, admiring the way
his formal black trousers and coat hugged his impossibly tall and strong form.
    He covered her hand with his for a moment and winked at her,
ever the charming flirt. She supposed he was accustomed to hearing compliments
from the fairer sex. On the contrary, his words of praise were rare for her to
hear,