The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl Read Online Free Page A

he kicked her out? That stupid piece of furniture was the only way back home, as far as she knew. She had to stay close to it, to figure out how to return.
    “I am not prepared to toss logic to the winds quite yet. That object was certainly different, but how am I to know that it is not some sort of trickery on your part? You did appear in my bedchamber unexplained and uninvited.”
    “Look, I want to leave even more than you want me to leave, but I don’t have anywhere to go at the moment. Can I stay for a little while? I’m sure that stupid bureau is the key to getting back, but I need some time to figure out how it works. Let me stay, and I promise I’ll be out of your hair in no time.” She looked up at him, desperate and disgusted with the way she was begging. He wouldn’t kick her out, would he? God, she sounded so pathetic.
    “Out of my hair?” Mike looked at her, clearly confused, before he sighed and shook his head. “Even if your tale is true, it would be difficult to conceal your presence. Servants talk, and the gossip would spread—”
    “You would kick me into the streets because of gossip? I didn’t figure you for an ass.”
    He set his jaw then, and his eyes bored a hole in her. She gulped. She’d forgotten to be intimidated by him. Not a smart move.
    “Miss, choose your words carefully. I shall have to think upon this matter, but if you wish to intrude upon my hospitality…”
    “You’re going to let me stay? Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I won’t be any trouble, and I’ll figure out how to go home and everything will be fine. You’re the best, Mike.” In an excess of relief, she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Whaddaya know, she thought as she pressed close to him. That fancy-pants costume covers some pretty nice muscles.
    He stood rigid, arms at his sides. After a moment, she began to get the idea that maybe she’d committed a giant faux pas. She stepped back, cheeks burning.
    “Thanks,” she mumbled again, and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She wasn’t normally so impulsive.
    He bowed to her sharply and left the room without another word. Baron the dog, who’d apparently been waiting outside the bedroom for his master, wagged his tail, thumping it against the door as Mike shut it behind him. His voice came muffled through the door as he talked softly to the hound and they walked away.
    Jamie flopped backward onto the bed and stared at the beamed ceiling. This was incredible. This was impossible. This was not how she’d planned to spend her day. What the heck did she do to deserve it? How was she going to fix such a godforsaken mess?
    First things first. Before Mike decided he really should kick her out, she should see how the hell that mirror had gotten her here in the first place. Then she’d find a rag and a bucket to try to fix the poor, abused rug. She got off the bed and went over to the giant bureau in the corner. Starting with the left door, she tapped and touched each part of the glass, searching for the hidden trigger that would suck her back into her own time.
    “It does not work that way, you know. Good heavens, I must have Muriel clean this frightful mess on the carpet.”
    Jamie whirled around at the sound of the voice behind her. It was Mrs. Knightsbridge with a tray full of stuff. She set the tray on a side table and briskly pulled a velvet rope that hung by the bed.
    “Sorry about the rug,” Jamie said awkwardly. The tips of her ears burned with embarrassment.
    “Do not fret about that, dear. All will soon be set to rights. Here. You must be famished.”
    The housekeeper gestured to an ornately carved wooden chair beside the table. The smell of the pastries on the tray suddenly hit Jamie’s nostrils, and she realized Mrs. Knightsbridge was right. Her stomach felt completely normal again, the rumbling sounds of hunger confirming it. The table was situated close to the fire, and Jamie was grateful for the warmth as she