Short excerpt from THE EARL'S BRAZEN BARGAIN Released 12/26/2023
When Laura joined him for dinner, her conversation centeredon the two people she cared for. Frustrated, he could but enjoy looking at her.In a lacy dinner gown of primrose, her dark-blonde hair swept into a carelessupdo, she was undeniably lovely. He admired her slender arms and dainty hands.Her lissome body, he tried not to think too much about. After dinner, shereturned to the sick room, and he saw no more of her until breakfast. He wasdown in the breakfast room the next morning, although it wasn’t his habit toeat until close to midday. But the maid told him Laura had eaten her breakfastin her bedchamber.
At first, he suspected Laura merely hoped to avoid him, buthe came to realize she really cared about the woman and her child. On the nextevening at dinner, she seemed more relaxed and talkative. He tried to draw herout, but she avoided any reference to what lay ahead for them. Nor did sheflirt with him. That was a novel experience but unsettling. Had he made amistake in inviting her? He still didn’t know why he’d taken such a chance witha woman he barely knew. It had been purely selfish on his part. Laura’s brothermight have found other means to pay his debts, although they were substantial.
Longworth was a fine estate, yet obviously rundown. Peytonwas a gambler, Brendan had learned. And he had no patience with such men. Especiallyconsidering how his actions had affected his sister’s life. Laura had moremettle than that selfish weakling. She showed more compassion for the twoupstairs than her brother would have been capable of.
“Anne Joyce was widowed last year,” Laura said. “It is verysad. She has nowhere to live and must make a home with her aunt. I have fearedthat I might face a similar fate.”
“Why?” he asked, outraged for her.
She shrugged her slim shoulders. “When we faced financialruin, I considered casting myself upon my Aunt Gertrude’s good graces.” Shesmiled, but it failed to reach her eyes. “Aunt Gertrude isn’t an easy person.”
She pushed her meat around the plate with her fork, notattempting to eat it. “Mary is a bright child. She deserves better.”
“Sad, indeed,” he agreed. “That animal on your plate isdead, Laura. There’s no need to kill it again.”
Her blue eyes met his filled with laughter, then he watchedthem grow shadowed. She ducked her head. Brendan cursed, but he grew hopefulthat in time, they might laugh together. Especially as she had opened up to himtonight about herself. It had maddened him to hear it. Her brother needed agood thrashing.
If only they could leave this inferior inn and reach hisestate, then this infernally polite wall between them would disappear. BeechleyPark was a place made for romance, although it had seen little of it. “Is Mrs.Joyce rallying?”
“Her fever abates.”
“Excellent. We can leave tomorrow.”
Laura’s frown condemned him for such a rash statement. “Wecannot leave them yet. Not until Mrs. Joyce is out of bed and able to take careof her daughter. We cannot leave a young girl alone in an inn. Anything couldhappen.”
Brendan poured her a glass of wine. “And does the doctorknow when that might be?”
Laura twisted a curl in her fingers. “He says it’s too earlyto say.”
Was she being deliberately evasive? “I hope it is soon. Inany event, we are to leave on Friday.”
Her fair brows knitted. “So soon?”
He sighed. “Yes. I have urgent matters that cannot wait.”
She chewed her full bottom lip. “Very well. If we must.”
He wished she wouldn’t do that. It was distracting. “I’mglad you agree,” he said solemnly.
Laura took a hasty sip of wine, then put down the glass.“I’ll go up and see if Mrs. Joyce has managed some of the soup. I had the cookprepare it and a coddled egg, especially for her.”
Brendan watched her graceful form cross the dining room. Hehad been rebuffed, but at least he had won a round. They would depart early onFriday and reach his home by the late afternoon.
AMAZON
