The Dark Earl Read Online Free PDF Page B

been awaiting your debut for more than a year.”
    “I must think of a suitable reward for your patience,” she teased.
    “Your beauty is radiant tonight. Promise you’ll let me escort you to supper later?”
    “Only if you’ll tell me about the Lambton dragon.”
    His blue eyes danced with laughter. “Legend has it that when he was a boy, my early ancestor John Lambton went fishing in the River Wear and caught an eel, which he promptly threw down the well. Years later, when he returned from the Crusades, he found the surrounding villages desecrated by a dragon that emerged from the well. It ate all the livestock and even snatched away small children. The villagers couldn’t kill it because whenever they hacked off a piece of the dragon, it grew back.”
    “Whatever did Crusader John do?”
    “He consulted with a wise witch, who advised him to cover his armor with spearheads, but she warned that once the dragon was dead, he would have to kill the first living thing he encountered, or his family would be cursed for nine generations and wouldn’t die in their beds.”
    “A dragon and a witch. How fascinating!”
    “When the dragon wrapped itself around him, it was mortally wounded by the spearheads. As he hacked off the pieces, they were washed away in the River Wear.
    “After he killed it, his dog ran out to greet him.”
    Harry caught her breath. “Oh, no, he didn’t?”
    “No, he didn’t have the heart to kill his dog, so for nine generations the Lambtons were cursed.”
    “Which generation are you?”
    “I’m at least the twelfth, I believe.”
    Harry smiled. “So there is every likelihood that you will die decently in your bed.”
    He bent close to whisper, “Or indecently.”
    Her smile widened. “If you’re lucky!”
     
     
    The Duchess of Abercorn stared at a dark male who had just arrived. She had no idea who he was and turned to her brother. “Johnny, who’s that swarthy gentleman? I’m sure I didn’t invite him.”
    “That’s Thomas Anson. Harry invited him. He’s the member for Lichfield.”
    “Good Lord! His father is the reprobate Earl of Lichfield. How does Harriet know him? I hope he isn’t following in his father’s footsteps.”
    “Thomas is the antithesis of his father. Viscount Anson is extremely principled. He was supportive when I was PM and I consider him a friend.” John signaled and Thomas made his way across the ballroom.
    Once the men exchanged greetings, Anson bowed before the duchess, who smiled and offered him her hand. He took it to his lips. “Your Grace, may I have the honor of this dance?”
    “It would be my pleasure, Lord Anson.” As they moved onto the floor, she examined his features. He’s as tall as my husband, but much darker. I wonder if the rumors about his mother are true. Barbara Philips’s father was a prosperous West Indian planter and because of his daughter’s black hair and dusky complexion, it was hinted that she could be half-caste.
    He is treating me with great formality. His features are stern because he doesn’t smile. He looks at least thirty. . . . I wonder why he isn’t married. Lady Lu smiled up at Anson. “Are you a confirmed bachelor, my lord?”
    Thomas hid his amusement. “I have nothing against marriage, Your Grace. I simply cannot afford the luxury of a wife. Every penny I earn goes toward buying back Shugborough’s treasures and antiquities that were auctioned a decade ago.”
    “What a noble endeavor. I salute you, my lord.”
    “Noble perhaps, but the task I have set myself is gargantuan.”
    Gargantuan indeed. We bought Shugborough’s entire library, along with paintings and furniture, and have no intention of selling them back to you. “Is your father well?”
    Anson stiffened. “The earl’s health is indifferent. He has been bedridden for more than a year.”
    “I’m so sorry. It must be a sore trial for your mother.” It’s a wonder she hasn’t poisoned the bastard by now. She was a great heiress