Free Earl of Scandal (London Lords) by Mary Gillgannon Page B

refused to yield to my vehicle. Her stubbornness resulted in my curricle ending up in the ditch. Had to have the rig towed to Derlingham for repairs.”
    “Ginter mentioned you had a carriage accident,” Devon said. “He also remarked that you spent the night at the woman’s house and...” he paused for emphasis, “that you seemed quite taken with her.”
    Caroline’s brows rose, and a merry smile danced on her lips. “Ginter said that? How astonishing. Is it true, Christian?”
    “What? That I spent the night at her house? Yes, of course it is. But mind you, if the little baggage had her way, I would have rotted there in the ditch. It was her older sister who offered me hospitality.”
    “Well perhaps we should invite both of them to our little soiree,” Caroline said. “The older sister deserves our thanks for rescuing you. And the younger one —I must say that anyone who can so nimbly manage to put Christian in his place would certainly prove an entertaining guest. Don’t you agree, Devon?”
    “Absolutely.” Devon flashed one of his rare and very wicked looking grins. “We must have her.”
    Christian narrowed his eyes. “You don’t even know the family’s name. And I have no intention of divulging it.”
    “Ah, but I’m certain William knows,” Devon said. “According to Ginter, he accompanied you there today to retrieve your horses. Given that William is my employee, I believe he will see fit to offer up information regarding your rescuers.”
    Christian shrugged. “Invite her then. She won’t come. I told you, she despises all of the nobility. She would not be caught dead at such a gathering.”
    “Truly?” Caroline teased. “You mean to say that she won’t be tempted to come, even knowing that it will give her a chance to torment you some more.”
    As he met Caroline’s twinkling gaze, Christian had the sudden feeling that she might be right. It would be very like Merissa Cassell to accept the invitation in order to provoke him.
    Not that it would be so awful if she did accept. Especially if she wore something more enticing than her usual high-necked serge dress. Merissa Cassell in a fashionable gown would be something to behold.
    “Very well then,” he said. “Her name’s Merissa Cassell and she lives about ten miles the other side of Derlingham. Her father is rector of a nearby church. You’re welcome to invite the whole family if you wish. Elizabeth—she’s the older sister—might actually accept. She’s such a lovely gracious woman, she’d probably consider it rude to refuse.”
    Now, there was an idea, Christian thought. If the invitation was couched in the right terms, Elizabeth might force her sister to come.
    “The Cassell sisters.” Caroline nodded. “I’ll have a note sent directly.”
    “Be sure to impress upon them that it is my personal wish they attend,” Christian said. “They must understand that I view their acceptance as the only possible way I can repay their kindness for taking me in.”
    “Odd, isn’t it, Devon?” Caroline’ remarked. “A moment ago, Christian insisted that he would not divulge the name of his amour even under torture. Now he appears to want her to come.”
    “A sad thing.” Devon gently rocked the snoozing baby in his arms. “Love makes fools of even the sharpest-witted men.”
    “Love?” Christian shook his head. “Merissa Cassell’s a shrew, a real termagant. You’ll see. And she hates my bloody guts. If I were going to fall in love, I’d at least choose a woman who liked me!”
    “Would you now?” Caroline smiled in a most irritating fashion.
    ~ ~ ~
    “Don’t you see, Elizabeth, how cleverly the invitation is worded? He wants to make us feel guilty if we don’t come.” Merissa frowned as she reread the parchment note. Since it had arrived that morning, everything seemed to be at sixes and sevens. Elizabeth would insist that they go. She could not see that Christian Faraday was arrogantly manipulating