The Daughter of an Earl Read Online Free PDF

travels,” Emily said.
    Melody’s expression was glum as her gaze strayed to Brett. “I beg to differ. There is an insurmountable one about six feet tall, weighing just over twelve stone.”
    Miranda followed her sister’s gaze and solemnly nodded. “Yes, with a deep-set scowl, and a canny ability of disappearing whenever the words
shopping
and
new gowns
enter the conversation.”
    Julia tossed back her head and laughed, and Emily smiled.
    â€œWe have been working on breaching his defenses. If as you say, your wishes are coming true lately, perhaps you can spare one for us,” Melody said.
    â€œHe refuses to escort you into London?” Emily’s smile faded. What kind of brother did that make Brett if he was so heartless that he could not find time to accompany his sisters to the city?
    He may have spent the past year in London, overseeing his company’s expansion, but his sisters had been home in America. Boston was far from provincial, but she doubted it could compete with John Nash’s recently completed development of New Street. And Melody was right. Madame Duchard’s gowns were exquisite.
    Miranda glanced at Melody and appeared to choose her words with care. “It is not that he refuses per se, it is that another matter has arisen that requires his attention. He has promised to escort us as soon as it is taken care of.”
    â€œYes, he did vow to do so,” Melody agreed. “But he also said he preferred to take a long walk off a very short pier.” Her tone, for once, was gloomy.
    â€œHe told me he would rather be drawn and quartered,” Miranda said bleakly.
    Emily ignored Julia’s laughter. “I thought he had more time now that he has hired new managers?”
    â€œIt is not work stealing his time, but a family situation. He promised to assist my aunt with a matter of some urgency,” Miranda said.
    â€œYes, he needs to locate her missing heir.” Melody sighed. “The newly minted Duke of Prescott disappeared.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I think he has run away. Brett said he hoped he had, infuriating my aunt—”
    â€œMelody!” Miranda yelped.
    â€œWhat? Andrew never expected to inherit the title anyway. He was the fourth in line and the black sheep in the family. So—”
    â€œThat is enough, Melody,” Miranda chastised. “Aunt Beverly would not appreciate your publicly airing private family matters.”
    â€œOh psshaw, Daniel is like family, practically lived with us for a decade in America. Now he is married to YourGrace, so that makes
her
family. And Lady Emily is
her
sister and so by extension—”
    â€œI understand.” Miranda spoke with strained patience. “That still does not warrant a full account of—”
    â€œIt is not like they can keep his disappearance a secret.” Melody’s eyes sparkled with mischief, undaunted. “My aunt blames Brett for Drew’s disappearance, so she has demanded Brett find and drag Drew home willing or not. If he fails, Aunt Beverly says”—Melody’s voice dropped to a melodramatic contralto—“Brett will rue the day he was born. Brett said our aunt should have treaded the boards because she has a penchant for drama.”
    â€œSuch talent runs in the family,” Miranda said dryly, narrowing her eyes at Melody.
    â€œWhy does she blame Brett?” Emily said, edging forward on her seat.
    â€œOh, she blames Brett for
all
the trouble Drew gets into.” Melody rolled her eyes. “After failing out of a few schools, my aunt despaired of Andrew getting any education. As a last resort, they shipped him off to join Brett and Bedford at Dunbar Academy. The three became inseparable. A
trio of trouble
, my uncle used to grouse. My aunt Beverly blames Brett for filling Drew with his American scorn for English ways, which, of course, in her