Free Undressed by the Earl by Michelle Willingham Page A

the folded letter his daughter had written to her mother, so many years ago. It was a physical reminder that he had to try again, though he didn’t want to.
    One of the ladies on Amelia’s list, Miss Georgina Pearson, was standing with her mother nearby. This was it, then. Time to take his first steps toward leaving behind his widower existence and learning to find someone else.
    At first glance, Miss Pearson was fair enough. She had green eyes and long brown hair that was pinned up with a few curls about her face.
    Just go and speak with her , he urged himself.
    He made it halfway across the room before another gentleman stepped in and invited Miss Pearson to dance. She beamed and accepted, fanning herself as she followed the young man to line up across from him in a country dance.
    “Would you like my help in making introductions?” a female voice spoke from behind him. David turned and saw Lady Lanfordshire smiling at him. He bowed and greeted her. “I would be grateful for it.”
    There was no sign of her husband, Lord Lanfordshire, but Margaret stood at her mother’s side. “I believe you have met my daughter Margaret, of course,” the matron said.
    He bowed to her. “Miss Andrews, how are you?”
    Margaret murmured a response, but she appeared more distracted than usual. Her gaze remained upon her younger sister, and David saw that Lord Lisford was already talking with Amelia.
    “Would you like me to introduce you to Miss Harrow?” Lady Lanfordshire said, when David didn’t ask Margaret to dance. He supposed he should have, but Miss Andrews had already excused herself to go to the ladies’ retiring room.
    He agreed, but it was difficult to take his gaze off Amelia. As he walked alongside Lady Lanfordshire, she sent him a knowing look. “My youngest daughter has always been a girl who wants to help others, whether they want her assistance or not.”
    “Lord Lisford is definitely a man in need of assistance from a large dowry.” He decided there was little point in mincing words. Amelia’s mother was well aware of the viscount’s debts.
    “The more I try to tell Amelia what she shouldn’t do, the more she runs headlong into danger,” Lady Lanfordshire insisted. “She has an impulsive, meddling nature.”
    “Then how do you protect her?”
    “Once she’s put her mind to it, stopping Amelia is like trying to capture a thunderstorm. I fear she’s destined to have her heart broken one day.” The matron sent him a rueful gaze. “As a parent yourself, I’m certain you’ve encountered willfulness.”
    He had, for Christine had inherited his own stubborn nature. “My daughter has spent many hours staring at the wall after she was defiant,” he admitted.
    “But how do you punish a young woman who only wants to help others? Amelia hasn’t a cruel bone in her body. She genuinely believes there is good in the man. Am I to punish her for trying to help someone?”
    David could make no argument with that, and he said, “I suppose not.” Soon enough, he found himself in front of Miss Harrow. Lady Lanfordshire introduced them, and he greeted the young lady.
    Miss Harrow was a sturdy sort, with a plain face and hair the color of straw. Although she wasn’t at all what most men would consider attractive, she had a pleasant way about her. She could not be more different from Katherine, which made it even easier.
    “Are you enjoying yourself this evening, Miss Harrow?” he asked.
    The woman shrugged and offered a light smile. “I believe I’ve earned the title of Queen of the Wallflowers. But I’m accustomed to it.”
    “Sometimes wallflowers have the most interesting conversation. They see everything that happens at a gathering.” He offered her his arm. “Would you care to dance and tell me your observations?”
    The young woman smiled at him with a blend of joy and surprise. “I would be delighted, my lord.” It was as if no one had asked her before, and when Miss Harrow took his arm, she