Free The Untamed Earl by Valerie Bowman Page A

this was fortunate. Not only was Lady Lavinia’s sister pretty and friendly, it seemed she was helpful as well. He severely doubted that Lady Lavinia had any good graces to win. But he did enjoy a challenge, and Lady Lavinia was proving that if nothing else. Not to mention she held the future of his allowance in her irascible grasp.
    â€œExcellent,” he replied to her sister. “What does she like?”
    A determined look came into Lady Alexandra’s dark sparkling eyes. “I’ll tell you … for a price.”
    Owen regarded the brunette down the length of his nose. Now, this was interesting. What could an innocent like Lady Alexandra Hobbs possibly want from him ? But again, he couldn’t help his smile. A bargain? It was exactly the type of thing he might offer, given the right circumstances. He rarely did anything unless he had something to gain or perhaps had lost a bet. He regarded her with increasing interest. At the very least, she’d managed to capture his attention. That was rare for an innocent. “A price, eh? What price?”
    She swallowed hard before she responded to him, her throat working up and down. “I want you to come to the next large ton ball … and dance with me.”
    Owen’s brows flew together. “Come to—? And dance with—? My dear girl, whyever for?”
    She pressed her hands together and began to wring them in a charming manner. She, too, glanced over both shoulders to ensure they would not be overheard despite their location behind the palm. “I’ve been a complete failure this Season. Mother is beside herself. I was forced to cross a smashing debut off my list, but that’s neither here nor there.” She fluttered her hand in the air also charmingly, and Owen got another whiff of strawberry. Was she hiding the fruit in her reticule? Somehow she seemed like the airy sort who might. “I, er, have my eye on a particular gentleman, you could say,” she continued in a rushed whisper. “Though he has failed to notice me.”
    Owen straightened his already perfectly straight cravat. “What do you think I can do to help that ?”
    She lifted her chin, and his admiration for her grew. She had pluck. He liked that. He could tell she wasn’t about to give up. On the contrary, she was preparing to plead her case. “I’m perfectly aware of your reputation, Lord Owen. You’re the biggest rakehell in London. But you’re also immensely popular. A bit of interest from you could entirely make my reputation.”
    â€œYes, and not necessarily for the better.” Was she serious? She seemed to know a lot about him. Surprising for an innocent, but still … inappropriate. This young woman had absolutely no idea what she was asking for.
    She leveled her dark gaze on him and Owen found it a bit off-putting. She certainly had an intriguing way about her. It was as if she already had everything planned weeks, if not years, in advance. She was like a general executing a strategy. For Owen, who usually didn’t have the evening planned, let alone the next morning, she was compelling indeed.
    â€œI disagree,” she stated frankly. More frank than he’d ever known an innocent to be, that was certain. “At present, I’m a no one. A wallflower. No gentleman looks twice at me. If you were to show me a bit of interest, I’ve no doubt my stock in the marriage mart would increase tenfold.”
    He regarded her down the length of his nose. Well, well, well. What did he have here? An innocent with a spine of steel? How very interesting. And the girl did have a point. For all that he was considered fast, he was also extremely eligible … and popular. And he never paid attention to innocents. Any interest shown in Lady Alexandra would be sure to increase her cachet. No doubt the entire ballroom was already abuzz about the time they’d spent walking together