The Untamed Earl Read Online Free Page A

convince her not only to marry you but fall in love with you as well.”
    Owen’s grin widened. “I doubt it will be as difficult as you believe. I do possess a modicum of charm, you know?”
    His father’s face adequately reflected his skepticism. “There’s one other thing.”
    Owen groaned. “Dare I ask?”
    â€œYou cannot tell her that we are already planning a contract.”
    Owen rubbed his temples. He wished he hadn’t had quite so many brandies last night at the club or quite so few earlier this afternoon. “Seems the whole thing could be put to rights with just coming out and telling her we’re to marry.”
    â€œAbsolutely not. Her father will stop the proceedings if she is made aware. She’s a bit, er, excitable, it seems.”
    Owen scowled. “Excitable?”
    â€œGets her back up about certain things if she’s not happy.”
    â€œFine. Whatever you say. I’ll think of something. I’ll manage it.” Owen turned again, wrenched open the door, and took a step into the corridor.
    â€œYou have a month to get her to agree to your proposal, Owen,” his father called.
    Owen turned his head and grinned at his father. “That should be plenty of time.” He strolled off down the corridor, whistling to himself. A month to get a Society miss to fancy herself in love with him? How difficult could it be?

 
    CHAPTER TWO
    Alexandra peered around the wall and waved at her maid to stay back. It was a delicate business, leaving the house without her mother seeing. Fortunately, Alexandra had had three years of practice.
    â€œMy lady—,” Hannah began.
    â€œShh.” Alexandra turned, still crouched, with her finger pressed to her lips. Hannah was clutching one small basket full of embroidery, and Alexandra was clutching another. “Mother will hear you,” Alexandra warned.
    â€œBut, my lady,” the maid continued in a softer whisper. “I intended to say that I believe your mother is in the study.”
    Alexandra bolted upright, nearly dropping her basket. “The study? But Mother is never in Father’s study.” Alexandra turned her back to the corridor she’d been stalking and directed her attention toward the study instead.
    Hannah nodded and shifted the basket in her arms. “I heard the duchess say earlier that she intended to speak with the duke.”
    Confound it. What was Mother about? Alexandra peered down the corridor that led to the study. Hmm. This was unexpected and, as a result, interesting. Quite interesting, indeed. Normally, she would be pleased to find Mother preoccupied during Alexandra’s twice-monthly visits to the poorhouse; she gave her embroidery to the people there to sell in the streets for whatever they could make from it. She might as well make something useful out of the odiously dull pastime. Of course, Mother would have a fit if she knew her daughter was doing such a thing, but what Mother didn’t know didn’t hurt her. Or so Alexandra had decided years ago. It was no easy feat to pretend she was taking a nap, sneak out, convince Hannah, and bribe the coachman to take her to a less-than-savory part of town. It certainly didn’t hurt that Alexandra suspected the coachman was sweet on Hannah. That, and keeping Alexandra’s reputation intact, made Hannah’s presence an absolute necessity to the mission. Yes, normally she’d welcome Mother’s preoccupation. Breathe a sigh of relief, actually. But today—today Alexandra was intrigued by the idea of her parents speaking to one another in the study in the middle of the afternoon. Unprecedented!
    Instead of hurrying through the back corridor and out into the mews, Alexandra plunked one fist on her hip. “What do you think Mother wants with Father?”
    Hannah shrugged and shifted the basket in her arms again. “I’m certain I don’t know, my