The Lady and the Earl Read Online Free PDF

began, praying she was right .  “In all honesty, I have never seen her act toward an other the way she does you.  It’ s a sure sign she feels much for you, Edmund.”    
    He exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair.   “ If what you say is true, t hen what am I to do?”
    “Dance with her tonight.  I will find a way home early so as not to interfere anymore , and you will c ourt her without another around … or at least without another too close to interfere with conversation.   It will force her to speak with you.  Had I realized her feelings for you, I would have excused myself when you came calling those two months ago .   This , I fear, is my fault. ”
    He laughed.  “Your fault?   No, I should n’ t have tried to court you when my feelings were elsewhere.”
    Allana smiled.  “I encouraged it.”
    “Then we are at a draw.”
    “So it seems.  What do we do now?” Allana asked.
    “First we must get Hoffman away from Carmon .  I fear he ’ s taken an interest in her,” Edmund said rather fiercely.
    Allana laughed.  “I will take care of him, but what of us?  How are we to seem to end our courtship?  Perhaps we were not truly courting.  After all, Carmon has been our chaperone in most instances.   Perhaps we could claim you were truly trying to court her, yet I continued to get in the way.  I have been known to be overprotective of her.”
    Edmund rubbed his nose purposefully.  “I can attest to that.  We could claim you were testing me t o see where my true feelings lie .”
    “Ah, yes, a test.   Hmm.   But we must bring Carmon in on this as well.  How are we to do that without making her feel foolish?” Allana asked.
    “Find a way for me to speak to her alone.  I will trust your words and confess the depths of my feelings.”  He took a steadying breath. 
    “I’ ll bring her to you here.  Wait for us ,” Allana ordered.
    *            *          *
    Lucas escorted Carmon back into the ballroom where they were intercepted by none other than Allana.
    “Allana,” he said in surprise.  “Wh at a — ”
    “Hello Lucas.  I would truly love a chance to visit with you.  Would you be willing to escort me home after I spe ak with Carmon in private?” Allana asked sweetly.
    Lucas stared at her in astonishment.  That was quite forward.  He hadn’t predicted this.  “Of course.   It would be my pleasure.”
    Allana flashed him a smile.  “Thank you.”  She turned her attention to Carmon who was scanning the dance floor for someone. 
    She’ d been doing so frequently through out the night.  A fter a bit of prodding , Lucas discovered for who m she continued to search: Ed mund Russell , the same fool who had occupied most of Allana’s time thus far .  Lucas had the good fortune that Carmon turned into quite a gossip once alone.  She told him all he needed to know about Allana and Edmund; and then he pried her little secret from her , as well as some other useful info rmation .  Edmund was courting Allana.  Allana did not want Edmund.  Carmon did.   Allana spoke often of Lucas.  She would not settle on a suitor, and after seeing Allana’s reaction toward Lucas earlier, Carmon suspected he just might be the reason why.  It was fantastic information, and it meant Lucas’s job was going to be easier than he had imagined.  He’d assumed he was going to have to steal Allana from Edmund , but if Allana didn’t even want Edmund and possibly still wanted Lucas , there would be no stealing involved .   Of course, that meant it wouldn’t be as challenging, but each time he looked at Allana , challenging became less and less appealing.  He simply wanted her, and the sooner the better.
    “Carmon, I need to speak to you about something,” Allana said.  “Will you come with me?” 
    Carmon looked rather worried, and Lucas could only guess why.  Edmund had proposed for certain.   So there would still be some challenge.
    “Yes, of