The Untamed Earl Read Online Free Page B

lady.”
    Alexandra cocked her head to the side and stared toward the study. Her parents lived in the same home, but they could always be counted upon to keep to their own worlds. Her mother managed the household, the shopping, and the social affairs. Her father managed his property, his seat in Parliament, and his outings to the club. Theirs was quite an efficient marriage, actually. Alexandra rarely saw them in the same room together. Such a spotting would be a novelty.
    â€œIt cannot be good,” Alexandra breathed. No. If Mother was going into the study in the middle of the day, something was wrong, and Alexandra had a sinking feeling that that something might very well have to do with her. “You don’t suppose it’s because of my failure in Society, do you, Hannah?”
    There were few secrets Hannah wasn’t privy to. The maid was Alexandra’s closest confidante, outside of Thomas. It wasn’t as if she could talk to her sister. All Lavinia ever wanted to talk about was herself. “Oh, no, my lady,” Hannah hastened to assure her. “Your mother cannot fault you for your … your…”
    Alexandra sighed. “You might as well say it.”
    Hannah winced. “Your late blooming,” she finished magnanimously.
    Alexandra shook her head slowly, biting her lip. “It’s more than late blooming, Hannah. I’m a wallflower. A complete failure.” It was true. Despite her list, despite her wishes and dreams, Alexandra’s debut last spring had been a dismal failure. No handsome gentleman had asked her to dance. No other gentlemen had asked her either. Not even the unhandsome, ineligible sorts. It had dampened her spirits, to be sure, but it hadn’t crushed her dreams. No, those were still impossibly intact.
    Hannah continued to whisper. “It’s not your fault that Lady Sarah Highgate has captured the attention of all the eligible gentlemen this Season. She’s a diamond of the first water.”
    â€œYes, and I’m a rock in the brackish bit.” Alexandra laughed.
    â€œNow, that’s not true, my lady,” Hannah replied loyally. “But your mother has already told you that you cannot marry until Lady Lavinia does. So I’m certain the duchess is not concerned with your marital prospects. Besides, Lady Sarah will no doubt be engaged before the Season’s end, and the rest of the gentlemen will come to their senses. They say the Marquess of Branford intends to offer for her.”
    The Marquess of Branford was the most eligible of all the Season’s bachelors. Well, he was the one with the most prestigious title, at least. Which practically made him the most eligible. The fact that he’d declared himself to be in the market for a wife also didn’t hurt. He was handsome and titled and rich, but Alexandra hadn’t given him a second look. He wasn’t Lord Owen Monroe, after all.
    She took a tentative step toward the study. “Be that as it may, I don’t think it could hurt to have a quick listen.”
    â€œMy lady!” Hannah gasped.
    Alexandra turned around and gave her maid a pleading look. “You know I cannot help myself. Please don’t judge me, Hannah. I need you.”
    â€œVery well, my lady.” Hannah nodded.
    â€œLet’s leave the baskets here.” Alexandra pointed to a spot behind a table in the corridor. The two women stooped and pushed their baskets behind the table to hide them. Then they sneaked down the marble-floored hallway and around the corner and tiptoed toward the door of the duke’s study.
    Alexandra held her breath. Eavesdropping was detestable, of course, but sometimes necessary. What if something truly awful were happening? What if, God forbid, Mama had picked out a suitor for her? Alexandra would be forced to stop it. Only one man would do for her. Granted, a man who had been noticeably absent from events of the Season to date, a man who had