Free The Earl's Passionate Plot by Susan Gee Heino Page A

to take its place."
    Oh good God, but Ned was making cow's eyes at the girl. This was not at all what was planned for the day. Dovington toyed with the idea of demanding Miss Langley find some excuse to keep her bubbling and blushing little sister home, but it was too late. Ned had already met the girl and it would be impossible for him to wipe her from his mind in time to avoid the obvious comparisons to Miss Vandenhoff.
    As vibrant and innocent and charming as Miss Renford was, Miss Vandenhoff would merely seem that much more dour and unlikeable. Damn it all. He should have taken steps to avoid this sort of thing.
    Too late now, though. Miss Vandenhoff appeared behind them, wearing a frilly gown covered over by a drab, gray colored wrap. Her face was a s sour as Miss Renford's was sweet. Her ladies maid cowered behind her carrying a parcel nearly as large as the hampers Miss Langley's servants had packed.
    Desperate to salvage what he could of the moment, Dovington stepped up and greeted the young lady before she had time to complain about the sunshine , the scented breezes, or demand the nearby daffodils to be plowed under for being too yellow.
    "Ah, here you are, Miss Vandenhoff. How good you look this morning."
    "I know. Where should my maid stow my things? I wasn't sure what manner of foods would be offered to us on this outing, so I brought my own. I hope no one minds."
    As promised, Miss Langley responded properly and perfectly.
    "Of course not. I'm happy our kitchen staff was able to find what you wanted."
    Dovington could barely detect that she bit her tongue to keep from indicating what an insult the American had given. As if Miss Langley should provide a less than adequate meal for them! By God, he had half a mind to take Miss Vandenhoff down a notch on her behalf.
    He didn't, though. He bit his own tongue and presented his cousin.
    "Miss Vandenhoff, may I present my cousin, Edmund Chadburne? He just arrived this morning and it was his idea, as a matter of fact, that we take advantage of the fine weather today for this outing. Ned, Miss Vandenhoff has come all the way from America. She and her family are on holiday here."
    Ned had the good sense not to recoil at the uninterested nod he received from Miss Vandenhoff. He bowed just as politely as ever and made a respectable effort to be charming.
    "I hope your travel has been well, Miss Vandenhoff. I've often fancied the notion of visiting across the Atlantic myself. Have you any place you would recommend?"
    " I've found sea voyage quite nauseating," she replied, walking past him to stand stiffly beside the carriage. "I recommend you stay home if at all possible."
    Clearly she had nothing more to say on the matter and Dovington was thankful for that. She waited with her chin in the air for someone to assist her into the carriage. The warm spring air took on a decided chill and the bright sun seemed to dim a few shades.
    Dovington caught Miss Langley's eye. This time she didn't flash fire at him or look away in disgust. Instead her expression asked him just how he expected her to make a silk purse out of this pig's ear.
    Quite honestly, he had no idea. They were in for it now and there was nothing to be done but survive it. Hoisting his shoulders back and putting on the bravest face possible, he moved to Miss Vandenhoff's side and offered to assist her into the carriage.
    "Shall we be off on this adventure, then?" he asked.
    One more glance at Miss Langley and he thought he caught her actually smiling. The chit was positively amused by his discomfort. Well, he'd just see how much more amusement he could provide her as the day went on.
     

Chapter 10
    The birds were singing overhead and the carriages rattled along the familiar old road. Their party of five picnickers was crowded into the old square landau while two footmen and Miss Vandenhoff's maid rode along behind them in a separate conveyance carrying the hampers and other supplies for the day's outing. Mariah sat