Enticing the Earl Read Online Free Page B

their horses.
    “I usually see him once a year. But this year, he hasn’t been able to get away. Hopefully, he will visit soon.”
    A knock on the door interrupted their interlude. Hart walked to the door and allowed the footman access to the room.
    “Thomas, how is that cut on your shin?” Mia asked him as he placed the silver tray on the table in the corner.
    “Much better, miss. Thank you. The salve you gave me helped it heal swiftly.”
    “Good. I can look at it, if you like,” she offered, attempting to raise her head until the pain heeded her progress.
    “No, miss. You must heal yourself. One of the maids saw your mother this morning and she said to tell you it would be near noon before she could arrive.”
    “Thank you, Thomas.”
    The young man gave a quick nod to them both and then closed the door behind him. Mia wondered if he thought it odd that the earl was in her bedchamber alone. After what she’d been through, they most likely thought he was protecting her.
    Hart brought her a cup of tea and placed it on the nightstand. “Would you like me to help you into a sitting position?”
    She knew she shouldn’t allow him such liberties but there was no one else to help her, and she really wanted that tea. “Yes, please.”
    He placed his hands under her arms and gently eased her up. Before she could sit back, he plumped the pillows behind her. She sat back embarrassed that she noticed the spicy hint of soap that clung to his strong body.
    “Here you go,” he said, handing her the cup of tea.
    “Thank you.”
    Hart grabbed his own tea and sat back down in his chair. “Now, where were we?”
    Mia sipped her tea and then smiled. “Well, you told me the sweet story about how you defended your brother. Something tells me your next story isn’t as charming.”
    His cheeks reddened slightly and his normal rakish grin slipped away. “You would be correct on that. My next beating was far worse than being trounced by a couple of fifteen-year-olds. I was twenty-two and in London. I was in an area of town that I shouldn’t have been in without more people. It was just Middleton and me.”
    “What were you doing in such a rough part of town?”
    He looked away. “It’s not an appropriate topic of conversation.”
    “Ah, so you were looking for a bit ’o muslin for the evening.”
    “You shouldn’t know of such things,” he scolded with a muffled laugh.
    “I’m not one of your fancy ladies of quality, my lord.”
    “Hart,” he reminded her.
    “Yes, and Hart, you are procrastinating. Tell me the rest of the story.”
    “Middleton and I were robbed by six men. We gave it a valiant fight but we were outnumbered. We both took a terrible beating and we’re lucky to be alive today.”
    “Did you learn anything from that beating?”
    “Yes, never go into Whitechapel after dark with Middleton.” He laughed before taking a sip of tea. “Now that we have learned of my lesson, I believe it is time to hear yours.”
    “My lesson?” she squeaked. What was her lesson? Never believe a man who tells you that you are the most beautiful woman he has ever met when you know the truth of how you look? Never believe a man who hits you once and says he will never do it again? Always have a Bow Street runner investigate a man before becoming his mistress? There were far too many lessons to be had from this beating.
    “Surely, you learned something?”
    She nodded slowly. “I did. Never trust a man.”
    He grimaced at her. “All men?”
    “Perhaps not all, but most.”
    “We’re not all horrible monsters who like to beat women.”
    “I suppose not,” she conceded. “But how do you know who is a good man and who isn’t? I don’t have the resources to hire a Bow Street runner to investigate him before becoming involved.”
    Hart’s brow furrowed. “Then you need to introduce the man to others so they can help you judge his character. From what I’ve discovered, no one knows a thing about this Allan