The Hopeless Hoyden Read Online Free PDF

avoided Freddy when he hinted at sharing another bottle of brandy.  Instead, Gabriel retired early.  Throughout the day, he'd thought of little else but the sprightly Miss Pendleton and so, immediately after breakfast, Gabriel was in the saddle, headed for Pendleton Grange. 
                  He figured the vivacious Miss Pendleton would be up and planned to seek her company for his dreaded house party in the hopes of enlivening it.  With more guests arriving today, Gabriel needed her smiling countenance, her exuberance.  As for her suspicion about a conspiracy to do him in, he felt certain he could persuade the petite young lady into believing otherwise.
                  Gabriel gave Ajax, a dark brown stallion, his head and cantered down a wide bridle path.  Breaking through the trees, he came upon Emily purposely striding across the sunny field.  She saw him and, waving a large straw hat in the air, hailed him.
                  “Good morning, my lord."
                  He noted with disappointment that her wild curls were caught up in a loose bun at the nape of her slender neck.  Still, dressed in a green sprigged, muslin frock, she appeared so much a part of the rich foliage of the trees surrounding them.
                  He reigned in the stallion, guiding Ajax toward her.  "You look particularly pretty this fine morn, Miss Pendleton," he said with sincere admiration.
              “Oh pooh, what flummery!" she laughed, a little shyly before dismissing his compliment as easy as a saucy remark one of her brothers might have made.  "But why are you here?"
                  “To ask a favor."  Dismounting, he kept Ajax's reins in one hand, took her elbow in the other, and began strolling toward the manor house.
                  “Is it a very big favor?" she asked when he didn't immediately continue.
                  “Yes.  You see, fair damsel, you must rescue me, the benighted warrior, from the company of my dandified friend, who insists I copy his foppish mannerisms, and all the marriage minded females who have besieged my home along with their Machiavellian relatives."
                  Her tinkling laugh brought his to the surface, and he marveled at how lighthearted he suddenly felt.  This young puss was just what Freddy would order to bring him out of the doldrums.
                  “You must truly be desperate to ride over to plead your case when a servant with a note could have done the same.  Have you planned any activities today?"
                  “Actually, Miss Pendleton, I had thought you might make up one of the house party.  'Twould save you traipsing back and forth, and you'd be well chaperoned," he added to forestall the negative reply her frowning countenance surely meant.
                  “It might serve another purpose, too, my lord.  With an ally in the house, your enemy might be less likely to do you harm."
              “What nonsense is this?" he growled, knowing full well her meaning.  He dare not let on that her story held any credence for fear she might become embroiled.  "I thought you'd put that silly notion to rest."
                  Her eyes narrowed as she studied him speculatively before retorting, "I did not take you to be obtuse."
                  “Now listen up, Miss Pendleton."  He halted and turned to her. Then grasping her shoulders with both hands, he said, “I'll not have you sneaking about, checking closets and peering behind draperies, trying to discover some nonexistent murderer--"
                  “My lord, I would never behave so amateurishly!"
                  He shook his head, completely exasperated, wanting to laugh at her affront, yet knowing he could not.  "Suppose I promise that should the need of an expert manifest itself, I'll call