The Earl and the Highwayman's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page A

goose?”
    Her face looked pinched. “I made sure my father was always well-fed.”
    He felt some compassion for her. Her life had been hard indeed. The Duke of Mortland should have damn well made sure his progeny found decent homes, even if he didn’t wish to acknowledge them. He wasn’t surprised though. Brendan stroked his chin. He’d given a considerable amount of thought to that while he’d been resting. But he didn’t like to examine his motives for taking Eugenia home too closely.
    The carriage pulled into an inn’s forecourt. “Ah here we are, Miss Hawthorne. Just in time for luncheon.” She’d flushed pink at the gurgling her stomach made and pretended to become fascinated with some detail above his head. He had to stop himself from laughing.
    The innkeeper bent over backward to ensure the meal was good, promising an excellent saddle of lamb and the best wines in his cellar. Brendan sipped a glass of burgundy, which was known to be good for the blood, while he watched Eugenia tuck into her onion soup. Never mind the meal; she was a feast for the eyes. Remarkable, if she were still an innocent, and he’d swear that she was. How had that devious father of hers managed to keep her safe from the rampant desires of men?
    She looked up at him, and her green eyes sparkled. “I hope I wasn’t slurping, but it is so delicious.” She broke off a large piece of bread and put it beside her plate.
    “Is that for later?” Brendan asked, amused.
    “No.” She looked askance at him. “Molly of course. And she must have water before we leave.”
    “Is that wise?”
    She frowned. “It is necessary, my lord.”
    He had an urgent desire to see this lovely girl turned into a lady, but his idea was only in its infancy and would take careful planning.
    Settled into the carriage once again, they made good time with fresh horses. As he refused to keep country hours, he expected to be home for dinner at eight. Brendan endeavored to make himself more comfortable, settled his hat back over his face, and slept.
    ***
     
    Eugenia leaned her head out of the window, the air cool on her face. Moonlight penetrated the tall trees, painting eerie shadows as the carriage, its lamps swinging, wound its way along an endless gravel driveway. It seemed they’d come a mile since the gatekeeper scurried out of the gatehouse with his lantern held high to open a pair of elaborate wrought-iron gates.
    She watched the shadowy parklands dotted with spreading oaks and cedars pass them by. Through the trees candlelight blazed from all the windows of a huge mansion. “What an expense!” she murmured. Molly sat up and ran her beak through her feathers as if in expectation.
    Lord Trentham woke too. He removed his hat and gazed out of the window.
    At a turn in the drive, the grand house appeared and towered above them. 
    “My goodness. It’s like a castle,” Eugenia said in a breathy voice. Two liveried servants rushed out and converged on them.
    “No turrets, moat, or drawbridge,” Lord Trentham said with a smile.
    “How do you find your way around in it?”
    He chuckled. “I was born here.”
    A footman opened the door and leaned inside. His eyes grew large, and he hesitated. He reached out for Molly. “Shall I remove the goose, milord?”
    Eugenia wriggled out of his reach. “No!”
    “Leave the goose for the moment,” his lordship ordered as he was assisted down.
    “Lord Trentham!” A man dressed in black hurried down the steps. “We’ve all been so worried.”
    “I still live, as you see, Barker. Meet my ward, Miss Hawthorne. Miss Hawthorne, my butler, Barker.”
    The butler faltered on the steps, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “Your ward, my lord?”
    “Yes. My new ward, Barker.”
    “How do you do, Miss Hawthorne.” Barker beckoned to a footman. “Take his lordship’s arm, Henry. I am so sorry you’ve been wounded, my lord. Your bedchamber is in readiness, and the doctor has been called.”
    “It’s not