Earl of Scandal (London Lords) Read Online Free

disbelief. Then he started after her. “You can’t mean to leave me here. I’ve no way to get to the next posting station, and it’s damn... dashed cold out.”
    “What do you suggest?”
    “The least you can do is give me a ride.”
    He heard her sigh across the twenty feet that separated them. “I suppose you’re right. In the interests of Christian charity, I have no choice.”
    He followed her to her vehicle, which turned out to be an open farm wagon. When he put his hand on her arm to lift her up, she pulled away.
    “Really, sir! You mentioned my reputation.”
    Christian gritted his teeth. What an utterly provoking wench!
    He forced his voice to a soothing tone. “I only meant to assist you.”
    “No need.” She sprang nimbly into the seat. He followed and attempted to take the reins. She pulled them out of his hands. “You’re certainly not driving. I saw what you did to your own carriage.”
    “I’m a crackwhip,” he protested. “I’ve won dozens of races!”
    “Hmmph!” was all she said as she coaxed the docile cob into a trot.
    Christian sat stiffly on the hard seat, struggling to regain his temper. It was not like him to get so provoked, especially with a woman. He had to admit there was some merit to her scolding words, although she didn’t have to be so shrill about it. In truth, he had been traveling too fast. He was probably lucky to have escaped with no more than a lamed mare and banged up carriage.
    The thought softened his mood. That and the sight of her pert profile when he glanced her way. She was rather cunning baggage.
    “What’s your name?” he asked.
    “Merissa Cassell.”
    “I’m Christian Faraday.” He almost added, “earl of Bedlington,” then decided against it. If he truly meant to change his life, he didn’t need the burden of his title complicating things.
    They rode in silence for a time. When they reached the milepost, Merissa turned the carriage off the road onto a narrow lane.
    “I say, I thought the posting station was that way.”
    “It is. But my home is this direction.”
    Christian felt a further lightening of his mood. The chit wasn’t entirely immune to his charm. She obviously couldn’t wait to introduce him to her family. Some things didn’t change. Even in the wilds of the midlands, women found him irresistible.
    “If you conveyed me to the posting station that would be more than adequate,” he said, “there’s no need to go out of your way on my account.”
    “My sister will worry if I am any later. Besides, we can’t leave your team out in the cold. I’ll have Bob go after them as soon as we arrive.”
    Christian felt properly set down. He had assumed she meant to gloatingly present him to her family. Instead, she had been thinking of the welfare of his horses. This woman was certainly different from the adoring London misses he was used to.
    ~ ~ ~
    Get control of yourself, Merissa! He’s merely a man—a wretched nobleman like the ones who ruined Charles!
    Merissa gripped the reins tightly in her gloved hands and tried to keep her gaze straight ahead. She would not stare at the tall, immaculately-dressed gentleman beside her, nor would she let his disturbing presence affect her driving. Merissa Cassell was not a titter-pated fool to lose her head over a handsome face and elegant manners.
    Besides, his virtues only damned him more in her eyes. That he was clearly wealthy and city-bred only meant that he was undoubtedly also arrogant. Hadn’t he already proven that? He blamed her for his own error in judgment and refused to admit his carelessness. Why, he had shouted at her and called her names before even making an effort to ascertain the circumstances of the accident!
    Stubbornly, she nursed her grievances against him. It helped keep her mind off the shock of seeing him up close when he tried to assist her into the wagon. She couldn’t forget the classical perfection of his features, nor the aura of physical power he exuded. Try as