The Earl's Passionate Plot (15 page)

"But you can't marry me! You know that I'm
—"

"Oh, yes, I know that you're stubborn,
interfering, and a bit too independent, but I think we can make a go of it anyway."

"No, I was going to say that I'm
—"

"I know what you were going to say, and I won't hear it. If you believe I can be redeemed from the disadvantage of my parentage, then certainly you can, too, my dear."

"But..."

"Yes?"

"I'm afraid I can't think of any other reason to refuse you, my lord. I suppose if you don't mind not knowing who my father was, then I certainly don't mind knowing about yours."

"There you see? We sound like a match made in heaven
."

"Except that I'm not a wealthy heiress."

He shrugged, apparently unmoved by the reminder of their sad financial situation. "You don't need to be. You're already worth a fortune to me."

And that was the sweetest thing he could have said, so she gave up on pretending to be reasonable and pulled his face down toward hers. If he wasn't going to stop talking and kiss her, she was simply going to take matters into her own hands. After all, she really was no lady.

The wedding had been a simple affair, presided over by both the elderly vicar and the ne
wly married Mr. Skrewd. May had bloomed warm and beautiful and everyone in Hinders Sundry said they had never seen a more beautiful bride than Miss Mariah Langley. It did, of course, help that there were not many brides in such a small village and this one was the first to have married an earl.

After the wedding it had been arranged that Ned should escort Mamma and Ella into London to meet his mother and sisters. The Season was still in, so Mamma agreed to
stay as guests of Mrs. Chadburne and let Ella come out early if she promised not to complain that her Season was shorter than most. Of course she did not.

The Vandenhoffs had surprised them all. Instead of being disappointed to lose a title for their daughter,
Mr. Vandenhoff claimed he'd done better. He'd found the perfect legacy—Mable and her dear curate did not wish to stay in the village, or in England at all. The Vandenhoffs and the Skrewds were going back to New York to use Vandenhoff money to start a foundation for orphans. It would, of course, be named after her father and would be full of good deeds and other important things she approved of.

In appreciation for all of the earl's help in bringing such happiness to Mable and a newfound inspiration
for them all, Mr. Vandenhoff paid not only the money he had agreed to for the lease he did not end up taking, but he gifted the lord and his new lady handsomely in honor of their wedding. He also promised to buy his wife a pug.

The money Dovington and Mariah received
would be more than enough to carry them through until the expected income at harvest, and to cover Ella's first Season. It was a welcome surprise and Mable made them promise to visit if ever they happened to turn up in New York. Mariah couldn't imagine what might cause them to simply turn up in New York, but it was nice to know they had friends there if needed.

Everyone had been so eager to get on with their new lives that by the afternoon of their wedding day, Mariah had been left all alone at Renford Hall with her new groom. For approximately five minutes she worried she might be lonely for her mother and sister, but the earl had quickly seen to that.

For the next week they had very much enjoyed not sharing the house with anyone and, in fact, gave the servants quite a bit of free time. By the end of that week, though, it was time to get busy. With practical things. They'd discussed arrangements and things had been settled to everyone's satisfaction.

Ned would take Renford Hall as his home
. It was obvious that he and Ella were destined for each other, and Mariah was fairly certain that by the end of this Season, there would be an announcement. Mamma would relent and let them marry early. That would be all nice and tidy and Mamma and Ella would never have to leave Renford Hall. The earl insisted they begin calling it The Grove, but of course no one paid any attention to him on that.

Mariah would be moving to Dovington Downs to take her proper place as Lady Dovington. More good news had come as they'd learned
more of the earl's investments had done very well, and coupled with all the other improvements he'd made, they were confident that things were looking up for the Dovington estate. He assured his new wife that with her help and shrewd management abilities, they would likely not starve. She assured him they would do a fine sight better than that and that he'd just best stay out of her way.

On their final day at Renford Hall, a light rain spattered the grounds. The carriages were packed in haste and Dovington urged his bride to hurry along. She did as she pleased but eventually had herself ready and trotted down to the yard to meet him.

"We want to get there while it's still daylight," he said.

"Exactly, so you don't want to have to turn around and come back if I've forgotten anything, do you?"

"Have you forgotten anything?"

"Probably, but I can't think of it now."

She sighed. It was impossible to imagine leaving Renford Hall, to never call it her home again. Of course she'd be back to visit, very often, most likely. And Ned promised to consult her if he had any questions regarding the management, but she doubted he'd need her.

Not that she
wouldn't have plenty to keep her busy where she was going. Her heart pounded at the thrill of seeing Dovington Downs for the first time. Just think what she could do with a proper estate to look over! Not that the earl didn't already have a very capable steward, and clearly he was more than competent himself to handle his business, but he'd promise to let her be involved in the management of things with him. It was a challenge she could hardly wait to put herself into.

And the fact that she'd not be alone, that she'd have him right there at her side... it was a dream beyond comprehension. First, though, they had a long ride ahead of them.

"I'm sure I've forgotten something, but I can have the housekeeper send it on, or Mamma when she and Ella return."

"You know
, of course, your sister will be married by then. Ned will find some way to convince your mother to let them marry this year."

"If he doesn't, Ella will.
But I'm not worried. I've no doubt they will be happy."

"How could they not, if she is anything like her sister?"

She kissed him on the cheek for that and the sly quirk at the corners of his lips told her he thought he deserved much more. He always thought that way, and drat it all, but she usually agreed. Now, however, was not the time.

He pulled the carriage door open for her and ushered her in. She was about to step up, but a call from the yard stopped her. The young boy from the stable was coming round the house and he waved.
Mariah waved back and called to him.

"Here,
bring them here."

Her husband grumbled, brushing droplets of rain off his coat but waiting patiently. Behind the young man Bess promptly appeared, her black and white coat shaggy with the wet and her three puppies
—getting larger every day—came rolling and tumbling along behind her. They were aiming directly for the open carriage door.

"Whoa, wait a moment," Dovington said, a moment too late as all
four dogs—and all their mud—leapt up inside.

"We have to take them," Mariah pleaded. "I know only little Bruno was supposed to be yours, but Ella
is gone off to London, and Mr. Skrewd couldn't very well take Bess and the puppy he'd selected on that long ocean voyage, could he? I said we'd look after them all."

"There are four wet dogs in my carriage, Mariah."

"I know, my dearest, but you're so gentle with them."

"Four
wet
dogs, Mariah."

"We've blankets. They'll dry."

"It's quite a long drive up to Surrey, you know."

"And you want to be leaving so we get there before dark."

He peered in at the dogs then glanced back at her. She smiled her sweetest for him and knew she had won. He shook his head and held the door open for her again.

"Very well. They may ride in here with us. But," he paused, then leaned in so the boy from the stable couldn't make out his words. "They'd best stay on their own bench. This bench is ours."

And she knew it was going to be an interesting drive, which of course was the perfect way to begin her new life.

Red Door Reads

"Who's Ben Skrewd?"

Ben Skrewd is a busy man! He's popping up all over.

Several authors from Red Door Reads have each come up with their own incarnations of Mr. Ben Skrewd. He might be good, he might be bad, but he's hiding there somewhere. You can look for him and find out what's behind the Red Door in these other fun titles:

Hexed
(A Deadly Sins Novella)
by Andris Bear

Dances with Demons
(A Phoenix Chronicles Novella)
by Lori Handeland

Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
(A Half Moon House Novella)
by Deb Marlowe

Firebird
(A Columbyana Novella)
by Linda Winstead Jones

In the Stars
(A Regency Encounter Novella)
by Ava Stone

Her Muse, Lord Patrick
(Muses Novella)
by Jane Charles

Cross Springs In Bloom
(A Cross Springs Novella)
by Caren Crane

Touch of Trouble
(A Blak
e Brothers Novella)
by Susan Sey

Reagan's Revenge
by Tammy Falkner

Accidentally In Love
(A More Courtesan Chronicles Novella)
Claudia Dain

www.RedDoorReads.com

About the Author

Susan Gee Heino thinks the sexiest thing a man can do is engage in witty banter. If he happe
ns to be wearing breeches and a cravat while he does this, all the better. If he comes with a noble title, a tortured past, and perhaps even dimples, then he is just about perfect.

Her lighthearted Regency Romances are full of quirky heroines who tend to feel exactly the same way—at least they do by the end of the book. Usually it takes a little convincing by the cravat-clad hero. But no matter what adventures ensue, the hero always ends up with his lady. And vice versa.

Ms. Heino lives in rural Ohio with her non-cravat-inclined husband, two very remarkable children, and an accidental collection of critters. She loves to hear from readers so please visit her website or connect on social media!

www. SusanGH.com
Love's funny sometimes
!