Free Good Earls Don't Lie by Michelle Willingham Page A

she changed the subject. “How is Mother faring this morning?” She swept a lock of hair out of her eyes and tried to behave as if nothing were wrong.
    “Did you hear about what happened last night?” A look of guilt flashed over Lily’s face.
    Although Mr. Donovan had told her, Rose shook her head, feigning ignorance. “Tell me.”
    Her sister reiterated the story of how their mother had climbed over the balustrade, preparing to jump, when Mr. Donovan had intervened. “I believe he saved her life, Rose.”
    “I am glad he was there,” she agreed. But although she was indeed grateful to him, she couldn’t stop feeling guilty about the stolen moment in her room.
    “Do you think we should offer him a reward to show our thanks?” Lily asked.
    Rose hesitated. “I don’t know if that would be wise. He claims to be the Earl of Ashton—which I cannot possibly believe—and he says he is here at our grandmother’s invitation.”
    Lily sent her an incredulous look. “Is that even possible?”
    “Judging by his appearance, I don’t believe so.” And yet . . . she wasn’t quite certain. He had the air of a man who was accustomed to getting his own way. It wasn’t at all the demeanor of a servant.
    Her sister appeared to share her sentiment. “If Grandmother could find an unmarried earl—no matter where he comes from—I wouldn’t put it past her. Honestly, she’s entirely too desperate to find a match for us.”
    Rose sent her sister a weak smile. “I know she is only trying to help. But I do not intend to be a candidate for marriage. At least, not until I can walk.”
    “Are you still hoping Lord Burkham will offer for you?” Lily asked. Her sister sent a glance toward the six letters Thomas had sent. Rose had bound them up in a ribbon, and the letters gave her hope that he would indeed wait for her.
    “He was going to, I feel sure of it.” And if they hadn’t left London because of their mother, she felt confident he would have come to visit her during her illness. She pushed back the uncertainties and took comfort from the letters. Once she learned to walk again, everything would be different. She would return to London, win a marriage proposal, and become Lord Burkham’s viscountess. Somehow, she had to believe that it would happen.
    “So do you think Mr. Donovan is an earl?” Lily was asking her. She began helping her to remove her nightgown, and Rose lifted her arms.
    “I don’t know what to believe. Either he is an accomplished liar, or he is indeed an earl who has fallen upon difficult times.” When she tried to imagine Mr. Donovan’s face, all she could think of was last night when he had lifted her into his arms. Although he had done nothing except put her into bed, the intimate gesture had unnerved her. Even now, her face flushed with the memory of his kiss. “He behaves in an improper manner, however.”
    “He is Irish,” Lily pointed out. “Perhaps their customs are different?”
    “Possibly.” But whereas Thomas had waited half a year to kiss her hand, Mr. Donovan had waited half a day to kiss her forehead. He was the sort of man who was dangerous to a woman, for despite her attempts to remain immune, he had provoked an instinctive response. She didn’t understand her own reaction or why she still remembered that kiss, hours later.
    “What are we going to do about Mother?” she asked, in a pointed means of changing the subject.
    Lily began lacing up the back of Rose’s corset. “She doesn’t remember anything about last night, which is a blessing. Except, she very much remembers our discussion about going to London.” Her sister made a face. “I do wish you hadn’t agreed to go.”
    Rose lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “Soon enough, she will remember that I cannot walk.”
    “Will she?” Lily tied off the corset. “Or will she try to wed me off instead?”
    “Would that be so terrible?” She sent Lily a halfhearted smile, but her sister was not in a