The Earl's Return (Marriage Mart Mayhem) Read Free

do so.” She stepped back, her hands fisted at her sides. “Now I will bid you good night. And good-bye.” Spinning on her heel, she pulled open the door, almost flinging poor Lady Ambrose to the floor as she rushed past her.
    Her heart pounding, causing her head to do the same, she wended her way through the dancers until she reached the card room. She attempted to calm herself as she studied the players for a moment until she spotted her mother.
    She approached the table with three women and one man playing whist. “Mother, I fear I have developed a headache.” Her mother turned from her play and studied Mary, her brows drawn together.
    “Please don’t stop your game,” Mary said, as her mother laid her cards on the table. “I will go home and send the carriage back for you.”
    The dowager duchess regarded her. “Are you sure, dear?”
    “Yes, quite. I don’t wish to cut your evening short.”
    “Well, if you are certain. The game is going quite well for me this evening.” Her mother gave her a wink.
    “Enjoy yourself, Mother. I will have the carriage return and see you in the morning.”
    Still agitated from her exchange with Lord Redgrave, Mary attempted to soothe herself as she waited for her conveyance to be brought around.
    “My carriage, please,” said a deep voice behind her.
    She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. Was she destined to run into the man at every turn?
    “Yes, my lord.”
    Drawing her cape around her, she kept her back to Lord Redgrave, tapping her foot as she waited for her vehicle. She could feel him staring at her from behind and fought the urge to pull her cape up higher to cover her neck where her skin tingled.
    After several minutes, a footman entered and bowed. “My lord, my lady, your carriages are ready.” His attention was immediately taken with an older couple requesting their carriage.
    She really could have used an arm to hold onto, since her slippers were slick from all the dancing she’d done, but she’d rather fall and break a limb than ask Lord Redgrave for assistance. She started forward and made it as far as the second step before her foot slipped. Before she’d fallen more than a few inches, a warm, firm hand gripped her elbow, and another wrapped around her waist. She did not have to turn to know who held her. “Unhand me, sir.”
    “Do not fret, my lady, I am merely assisting you to your carriage.”
    Her jaw tightened and she gave a stiff nod, and allowed him to place her hand on his arm. They continued down the steps where he handed her into the carriage. Mumbling a brief “thank you,” she settled in, keeping her body rigid as the vehicle advanced.
    Clutching her hands tightly in her lap, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Chapter Two
    Redgrave watched Lady Mary’s carriage roll away from Remington House.
    The devil take it!
    Why was the only woman in the entire ballroom who had caught his attention the one woman he should stay far away from?
    He had no business remembering her beauty, her fascinating curves, her bright smile, or the fire in her eyes when she’d challenged him. If Manchester caught him even glancing in Lady Mary’s direction, he would surely find himself with pistols at dawn.
    The sound of his carriage rolling toward him cut into his thoughts. “White’s,” he shouted to the driver before climbing in and settling into a slouch in the corner, stretching out his long legs. He stared straight ahead, his thoughts leading him through the disaster the evening had been.
    Once Lady Mary had cut him in the ballroom, he’d almost turned on his heel and left. Instead, he’d decided to hold firm, since he had known he would run into the chit somewhere along the line and knew what her response would be.
    He had been right.
    After spending a few minutes conversing with Miss Edgeworth and her friends, he had excused himself. He’d had no idea Lady Mary had gone to the garden until he’d heard her conversation with