The Frog Earl Read Online Free PDF

believe Lord Litton's tackle is in the gun room.”
    “I should not dare to borrow his lordship's rod,” said Mimi hastily, remembering the tall, supercilious gentleman, Sir Josiah's sister's son, whom she had met two or three times on his frequent, though brief, visits to his aunt-by-marriage. “But perhaps I shall take up angling. Yes, that is a very good notion.”
    “Then I shall endeavor to find Sir Josiah's rod for you, miss, though I fear it is rather an ancient device, quite outmoded according to his lordship.” He ushered them into the sunny, slightly shabby drawing room. “Miss Lassiter and Miss Cooper, my lady.”
    “Come in and sit down, my dears,” said Lady Thompson, beaming. “Tea, Baird.”
    “And biscuits, my lady?”
    “Of course biscuits. Plenty of biscuits. And do stop waving that net about. Was it useful, Mimi?”
    “Oh yes, ma'am, perfect.” Since becoming her neighbor, Mimi had grown very fond of Lady Thompson. She confided in her much more readily than she did in Mrs. Forbes, her own well-meaning but dull chaperon. Nonetheless, when she described her “fishing” expedition she omitted all reference to her meeting with Mr. Hurst.
    Nor did her ladyship mention having a guest staying at Mere House. Mimi concluded, with a tinge of regret, that she was not going to see the impudent young man again. Guiltily she hoped that he had not had too far to ride shivering in his soaking wet clothes.
    A maid brought in the tea tray. Harriet was pouring when the butler came in with a fishing rod and tackle box.
    “Good heavens, Baird, have you run quite mad?” inquired his mistress.
    His dignity unimpaired, the butler favored her with a look of utter disdain. “I trust not, my lady. Miss Lassiter expressed an interest in angling and I took it upon myself to offer the late master's equipment. Has your ladyship any objection?”
    “You mean to take up fishing, Mimi?” Lady Thompson asked with lively interest. “An unusual pastime for a young lady, though not unheard of, and most certainly less peculiar than breeding frogs!”
    “It is part of a plan, ma'am.”
    “Tell me.”
    “If Harriet does not object. She is concerned.”
    The vicar's daughter blushed but gave her permission, so Mimi expounded her intention of attempting to give Sir Wilfred Marbury, Mr. Albert Pell, Mr. Blake the lawyer, and the Reverend Lloyd a disgust of her.
    “Then they are bound to return to their pursuit of Harriet,” she explained. “It is not at all fair that they have abandoned her only because I am rich, but if they decide my conduct is unladylike they will not care for my money.”
    “That remains to be seen.” Her ladyship sounded skeptical. “A noble enterprise, however, so long as you do not do anything too outrageous,” she cautioned. “If you are quite certain, Harriet, my dear, that you wish to marry one of those fickle young men?”
    “I wish to marry, ma'am, and it is not likely I shall ever have a chance to meet any other gentlemen.”
    “Very well, child.” She nibbled absently on her fourth gingernut. “The colonel's dinner party will be the perfect moment to set your plan in motion, Mimi.”
    “It would be, ma'am, but I shall have to wait. Papa has a project of his own to propose. He is hoping to gain the support of the local gentry for founding an orphanage, so I must not invite their disapproval before they are committed.”
    “An orphanage, eh? Tell me all about it,” invited Lady Thompson. Between them, Mimi and Simon were providing her with more amusement than she had had in years.
     
     

 
    Chapter 4
     
    “If I have to have Squire Pell on one side of me, can I not have Mr. Cooper on the other?” asked Mimi rebelliously, poring over the sheet of paper on the writing table before her.
    “Sir Wilfred will be the only titled gentleman present,” pointed out her chaperon, wringing her hands. “He will be shockingly offended if he is not seated next to you.”
    “But I want to