To Love a Wicked Lord Read Online Free

grumbled.
    â€œYes, he was sweet to me, wasn’t he?” Lady Carstairs asked, visibly preening. “But he wasn’t nasty to you, Pippa my dear, and I can’t see why you’ve taken such an instant dislike to him?”
    â€œHe seems to be amused by me,” Pippa said.
    â€œAh, that,” her grandmamma said, relaxing. “He obviously mimics his father. That’s only his way. You would have despised all the men of that time. I vow you’d have remained a spinster had you lived in my day. Oh,” she said, stopping and looking suddenly stricken. “You realize I meant nothing by that. Of course, you aren’t a spinster. You’re spoken for. You are engaged, but in waiting.”
    Pippa laughed. “What a lovely way to put it! And true. That’s why I’ll endure your most affected lordship Montrose.” Her expression became serious again. “He may drawl and pose and ogle the world through his eyeglass all he wants. He may think whatever he likes too. If he can find Noel, I vow I will love him.”
    â€œOh my heavens, no!” her grandmamma exclaimed. “Even in my day, we were only allowed one husband apiece.”
    Which was why when the ladies entered the private dining room the Marquis Montrose had engaged, the two of them were laughing merrily.
    The marquis rose, and bowed. He was, as before, impeccably dressed, but this time in formal evening clothes. The black-and-white attire suited his grave good looks. But he still surprised Pippa when he spoke, because his tone was as light and bored as ever.
    â€œGood to see you in such high spirits, ladies,” he said, bowing as he greeted them. “And in such high good looks as well. I am a lucky fellow. Will you be seated? I’ve ordered the most delectable meal for you.”
    He held a chair for Lady Carstairs as a footman did the same for Pippa. The footman, Pippa realized, wasn’t from the inn, he was in house livery, evidently that of his master, Lord Montrose. The gentleman who, Pippa thought darkly as she sat, had taken it upon himself to order for her. Noel had always asked her what she wanted. But Noel was a true man of the world, and one of her generation. This fop was obviously a throwback to his father’s era. She vowed to bite her tongue and be silent about it. If it took a fool to find Noel, so be it. She’d already trusted wise men to do the job and they’d all failed.
    Pippa smiled at her host. “Thank you, my lord,”she said sweetly. “We are so pleased you’ve taken our commission.”
    â€œAh, but I have not yet committed myself, my dear young lady,” he said. “I don’t wish to appear rude, but neither do I want to give you false hopes. I must hear more.”
    Pippa nodded. “We’re ready to tell you about my missing fiancé if you wish.”
    His looked at her as he sat down, his expression bland. “Of course I do. I must hear all. But I’d prefer we do that after we dine. Is that all right with you?”
    He meant that they should discuss Noel out of the earshot of servants, Pippa thought. She was well bred enough to know that even if he implied she was committing some kind of social solecism, he was wrong. She had often heard grandfather and his friends, gentlemen of birth and title, discussing much more serious things over dinner. But she wasn’t the marquis’s friend, she reminded herself, and whatever his reason, important or whimsical, she had to placate him. He might be able to help her.
    â€œYes,” she said, casting down her gaze, “of course.”
    â€œGood,” he said. “Now, shall we dine? We can speak of lighter things, of course. Later, we canspeak of graver matters. An excellent meal deserves our concentration, don’t you agree?”
    She didn’t, but she nodded, forced another smile, and kept her mouth closed until she was served her soup. Then she opened her