The Earl's Passionate Plot Read Free Page B

first voyage abroad."
    " So she is not a child, I take it."
    "Nineteen, I believe."
    Ah, now things were becoming clear.
    "And she is an heiress, I presume?"
    "Her father is quite wealthy and she is his only child so yes, it is safe to call her an heiress."
    She'd heard rumors of these sorts of Americans. Men who through their own sweat and their cunning amassed great fortunes from shipping or finance or God-only-knew what. Perhaps they had even found a way to profit from the recent wars between their two nations. But now that the wars were over and the world had fallen, more or less, into peace, it was not uncommon for ambitious Americans to seek to better themselves through attachment with their former enemies. Specifically, they invaded England hoping to marry their daughters off to penniless peers in exchange for some pretense of nobility.
    And Lord Dovington fit that description most perfectly.
    So this was the reason he was so eager to play host to these Vandenhoff's. He must realize the only way to save his estate would be to marry well, and soon. On one hand, this obviously meant Mariah's hopes were thin for getting the man to pay them what he owed for all the investment she'd put into Renford Hall: he was obviously as desperate as she feared. On the other hand, though, it meant that if she helped the odious man marry that heiress, he'd have ample funds to pay her.
    And more, if he married their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Vandenhoff would probably wish to make their English home elsewhere—most likely they'd want to be nearer their daughter and her husband at the main Dovington estate all the way up in Surrey. They would not wish to lease this home, certainly. If the man were happily wed and his pockets newly filled, Mariah might even be able to negotiate another lease on the Hall. She and her family could stay. It would be the answer to their prayers!
    All she had to do was make sure this visit from the Vandenhoff's went well and ended productively.
    "I believe I know the solution, sir," she said giving him a sweet smile. "My mother, as lady of this house, would love to play hostess to your American friends. We would be honored to have them as guests here."
    He did not seem to know what to make of her words and clearly did not trust her.
    "The goal, Miss Langley, is that at the end of the week they will determine they wish to make this house their residence. They are not looking to be indefinite houseguests."
    "Of course not. But as I told you quite plainly, there is simply no way my family and I can be out of here in three days time. If we acted as hosts, however, that would not put the Vandenhoffs in any sort of awkward position while they peruse the house, and my family and I will have time to see about making other arrangements."
    He was hesitant to acknowledge the obvious brilliance of her suggestion.
    "You will not use that opportunity to set the Vandenhoffs against letting the house?"
    "I am not petty, sir," she replied, miffed. "I will not leave the house within three days, but I am no fool. I know the law leaves me little recourse. You own this house and my family does not. You say we must leave and I have no way to argue. I believe, however, that taking these extra days to play hostess to the Vandenhoffs will give my family the time we need to actually comply with your wishes. As for my wishes, these extra days will allow you and me to come to terms on that matter of repayment."
    "I see."
    "You will be staying here along with the Americans, I presume?"
    He frowned. "Yes, I suppose I must. Very well, Miss Langley. I concede your plan holds some merit. It seems this will be the best solution —however temporary—for all of us."
    "Thank you, sir. It is good to see that you can be reasonable —however temporary."
    Now there was only heat, no ice, in the grin he gave her.
    "Funny, Miss Langley, but I was just thinking the same thing about you."

Chapter 4
    Lord Dovington paused in the doorway of the elegantly