Good Earl Hunting Read Online Free Page B

of wardrobe. If anyone knocks, I'm tired from my journey yesterday, and I’m resting.”
    The valet sighed. "And if you fall and break your neck attempting to climb to the ground, my lord?"
    "Then you may also disparage my athletic abilities."
    "Very good, my lord."
    Not even bothering a glance at his valet, Geoffrey reached for the trellis, swung out to the latticed wood, and clambered down to the Beldath garden. He supposed he had no right to complain about his circumstances; after all, he was an earl – a wealthy one – with several large properties to his name and the future Marquisdom of Haithe before him. No one else wanted to hear that he was the younger brother, or that until two years ago he was contentedly Lord Geoffrey Kerick. They didn't want to know that he'd loved his older brother, or that Timothy had been stupidly patriotic enough to take up colors and ride for England against Bonaparte. They both had been, but only one of them had made it home.
    Shaking himself loose of the maudlins, he set off at a crouching run through the stands of roses for the carriage path and the stable yard. The barrage of eligible females had stunned him at first; yes, he'd been a popular dance partner and lover before the war, but back then he wouldn't have given a wife a title or pin money worthy of an empress. Now he could scarcely turn around without having to dodge an engagement. For his own sanity he needed to marry, but the idea of taking up with one of the hounds pursuing him didn't sit well at all.
    And then there was Theodora Meacham. Yes, her parents had pushed her into his path, but that had clearly been done with the idea that she would mention her more charming sister, and he would be caught. Certainly he'd never met a chit less accomplished at flirting or seduction. And yet... And yet.
    She was definitely pretty, with her coal black hair and slender, petite figure, even if those direct green eyes were more striking than seductive. And she gave at least as good as she got. For damned certain she kept him on his toes both on and off the dance floor, which in and of itself made her the most interesting young lady he'd met all Season. It was only a shame he hadn't been looking for her at the time they'd met. If he'd been nicer, if he hadn't dismissed her as simply another of the herd before he'd spoken a word to her, any pursuit would undoubtedly have been much simpler.
    As he turned the corner of the stable, he straightened and slowed his undignified scuttle. She stood leaning against the wall, her arms crossed and her chin up. A wave of warmth passed beneath his skin. There was something to be said for the pursuit. And she was no fox, outnumbered and running for her life. She'd clearly come to fight. Geoffrey felt his mouth curve in a slow smile he couldn’t have stopped if his life depended on it.
    "You accepted my challenge," he said aloud, resuming his approach.
    Theodora started. "I admit to a certain curiosity," she conceded with clear reluctance as she straightened, "as to your motives and intentions. Please know, however, that I am not some silly little lamb you can tease until someone more interesting catches your eye. I am twenty years old, my lord, and men do not walk up and announce that they find me interesting. Not when they’ve been invited to court my sister. And not after I call them names and step on their toes.”
    "No, you’re not a silly lamb,” he returned, ignoring the rest of her protest. “From what I’ve seen, you’re a lioness."
    She liked that; he could see the swift upturn of her lips, swiftly flattened back into a firm line. "And which animal are you then, sir?"
    If he said he was a lion she would only comment that at least he had quite a roar. Geoffrey tilted his head. "I'm a man."
    Her pretty green eyes briefly widened, in appreciation he hoped. "You began the game, and now you refuse to play?" she countered.
    "No. I named the animal you play, so you must name me." There. Let her