Read Surrender to the Earl for Free Online Page B

and other shrubbery had already been cut back. “Mrs. Blake, I mean no offense, but your husband never once mentioned you were blind. And I can see now he must have thought you quite the normal woman, regardless of your—”
    “He was ashamed,” she interrupted, her voice matter-of-fact.
    Not surprised, Robert said nothing, only gave her gloved hand a squeeze where it rested on his arm.
    “You don’t need to show me sympathy, sir. I knew he did not love me. He only wanted my dowry.”
    And he suspected she was eager enough to be away that she wasn’t too choosy.
    “I’m sorry,” he said.
    She tilted her head as if she were looking up at him. “I hope I am not disillusioning you about your friend.”
    “I left England at a young age, and he was several years my junior. We only became more acquainted in the Eighth Dragoons.”
    “And that was only possible because of my dowry. It is how he purchased his commission. I didn’t know his plans until he left England the day after our wedding.”
    Robert frowned. “That is a tragedy. I regret you had to suffer it.”
    “I would not normally confide such private sorrow in a stranger, my lord, but you need to understand my dilemma.”
    “I am understanding more and more each hour.”
    “Good. Then I will ask you not to repeat my past marital difficulties.”
    “Of course not.”
    “Even with my family. My father warned me about Mr. Blake’s intentions from the beginning, and I didn’t want to listen. Reminding him of it only makes him repeat his warnings all over again.”
    “About men in general?”
    “About my suitability to marry. And though my father doesn’t believe me, I have taken my hard-earned lessons to heart. I don’t plan to marry again, ever.”
    She spoke so firmly, flatly, that he knew she believed it. And Robert couldn’t blame her. It must be difficult to make oneself vulnerable, and then be so cruelly rejected.
    “We all must react to our own lessons, Mrs. Blake,” he finally said.
    “Even an earl? I imagine that you’re permitted—anything.”
    She sounded a bit intrigued, but he wasn’t going to satisfy her curiosity.
    “Even an earl.”
    They walked on in silence, taking the winding trails ever closer to the house, passing a fountain that sprayed a cold mist in the air.
    “My lord, do you still have dead birds on your person?”
    He shot her a glance. “I had forgotten.”
    “I had, too, until I smelled them.”
    He chuckled. “I’ll guide you up to the house, and then head for the kitchens.”
    “Do not bother yourself on my behalf, my lord. I’ll finish my walk with Molly, and see you at luncheon.”
    Robert watched in amazement as she turned back the way they’d just come and approached Molly. The servant murmured something, and they both took a right hand turn down another path that disappeared behind a vine-covered arbor.
    Robert stood still, considering his dilemma. There was no doubt that he had to help Mrs. Blake, but after the close way her family watched her, he was beginning to think her suggestion that he simply escort her away wasn’t going to work.
    A fter luncheon, Robert accompanied the rest of the gentlemen for target shooting out on the lawn, which he won. Dinner ended up being a more elaborate affair, with neighbors as guests, followed by card games in the drawing room. He rather suspected he was being put on display by Miss Collins, who’d thrown the event together and sent footmen scurrying all over the countryside with invitations that morning. Robert was no longer surprised when only a few of the guests knew Mrs. Blake personally, although most had heard of her.
    Since card games could not appeal to Mrs. Blake, she sat in a corner with an elderly woman, who kept up so much chatter that every time Robert looked their way, Mrs. Blake, though nodding politely, was never given the chance to speak.
    Robert didn’t need any more convincing. It was time to talk to Lord Collins. Would the baron allow him to